With the NHL Conference Finals underway, there's no better time than now to share a few of our favorite future picks for the Stanley Cup.
Our staff singled out some predictions prior to puck drop, so you can lock in the best-value bets to see who hoists Lord Stanley's Cup.
Let's dive into our NHL Stanley Cup future picks, predictions, best bets and NHL picks.
Colorado Avalanche to Win the Stanley Cup (+135)
By Nick Griffith
I'm going to be lame with this pick. Picking the Colorado Avalanche to win the Cup is hardly a bold statement, but sometimes the obvious call is the right one.
Colorado has been the best team in the NHL all season, and nothing in the playoffs has changed that. They handled Minnesota in what felt like a relatively comfortable series, even though the Minnesota Wild were dealing with some injuries. Whenever the Avalanche needed to take control of a game, they did.
The numbers back it up, too. Colorado leads all playoff teams with a 3.92 xGF/60 and has posted a +14 goal differential, matching Carolina's mark through their respective runs.
On top of that, Nathan MacKinnon has been unreal with seven goals over the last six games, and Scott Wedgewood looked completely unfazed after being replaced by Mackenzie Blackwood, returning in Game 5 to close out the Minnesota series.
Carolina, which appears to be its biggest threat, has been outstanding in its own right. Back-to-back sweeps, a playoff-best 62.0% expected goal share, and Frederik Andersen playing at this level make the Carolina Hurricanes a legitimate threat. I hope that's the matchup we get in the Cup Finals.
That said, Colorado has more than enough tools to wear down Carolina's defensive structure over a seven-game series. If the Hurricanes can limit chances per usual, the Avalanche can win those games too.
They held opponents to the fewest goals against at 2.37 per 60 minutes this regular season, and their first-round series against Los Angeles was a case study in winning low-scoring, defensive hockey on someone else's terms.
Carolina has plenty of firepower to answer back offensively, but Colorado can obviously win playing that style as well. No matter what the game dictates, the Avalanche seem to have an answer.
Colorado Avalanche to Win the Stanley Cup (+135)
By Tony Sartori
I'm going to side with Nick here.
The Avalanche were the best team in the NHL during the 2025-26 regular season. They finished first in expected goal share and expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60), while ranking fourth in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
Colorado was the only team to rank in the top four in all three categories. That success has carried into the postseason.
Among the 16 playoff teams, the Avalanche rank first in expected goal share and xGF/60, and sixth in xGA/60. As a result, Colorado is appropriately priced as the betting favorite to win the Stanley Cup among the four remaining teams.
The Avalanche are the best two-way team remaining in the playoffs. This season, they outranked the Vegas Golden Knights in both goals scored per game and goals allowed per game.
The same holds true regardless of whether the Hurricanes or the Montreal Canadiens win the Eastern Conference Final.
Colorado also has championship experience. Team leaders Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar were key contributors to the franchise’s 2022 Stanley Cup.
Montreal Canadiens to Win the Stanley Cup (+700)
By Greg Liodice
I can't blame both Nick and Tony for their picks. Colorado has been too good throughout the season, and it proved why it's probably the best team in the league after handling the Wild in five games.
However, do you really want to read a story with three of the same picks?
Allow me to play contrarian.
I like the Canadiens here.
Montreal has been one of, if not the most exciting, young teams in the NHL this season and it's totally defied the odds in these playoffs.
Everyone was so excited to see the Buffalo Sabres do well, but everyone completely ignored the Habs.
Well, now, after their heroic Game 7 win in overtime, the Canadiens come in with all the momentum. Why? Because the Hurricanes haven't played a game in two weeks. As important as rest can be for a team, too much of it is a total detriment.
And how can you bet against a guy like Habs' goaltender Jakub Dobes, who said he could play 40 more games after winning on Monday? Dobes has been a total beauty these playoffs, playing to a stellar .910 SV% and an 11.1 GSAx.
Montreal will play Game 1 on Thursday, making it three days' rest, compared to Carolina's 12 days. Perhaps you may remember the Hurricanes' history in the Conference Finals?
They've played in four Conference Finals since they won the Cup in 2006. Their record in that span? 1-16.
Give me the Habs at +700, which ironically are the longest odds out of all the playoffs.
