2026 Stanley Cup Odds & Favorites: What Do Contenders Need to Improve to Win Cup?

Most teams at the top of the Stanley Cup odds leaderboard haven't changed since the season started. While they are the most likely to hoist the Holy Grail, a few of the betting favorites have more flaws than a pair of 10-year-old sneakers. 

Some, meanwhile, are as close to the finished article as you can get. Regardless of where on the spectrum the favorites reside, each has at least one blemish that needs improvement to obtain the ultimate goal. Come along as I explore what each head coach will want to focus on when the NHL season recommences on Feb. 25.  

🔢 Stanley Cup odds 2026

Our Stanley Cup odds update in real time. See the NHL odds for the best odds on each game during the 2025-26 season.

🏆 What each favorite must improve to win Stanley Cup

See all of our daily experts' NHL picks based on the latest NHL odds.

🏔️ Avalanche must put the power back in power play

You're not alone if you thought the Stanley Cup odds betting favorite has no discernible Achilles heel. Yet here we are, staring at the Avalanche and their NHL's worst power play, which is stumbling along at 15.1%.

I'm not punking you, nor is this fake news. 

It's a shocking stat considering the abundance of superstar talent on display, including Hart Trophy odds favorite Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, who is battling Zach Werenski for the Norris Trophy odds lead. 

Despite their struggles, I'm not concerned. With top-tier talent running the show, it's only a matter of time before their power-play fortunes turn. 

Which Stanley Cup champions had worst regular-season power play since 2000? 

Only two teams since 2000 won the Stanley Cup with a regular-season power play ranked lower than 20th, the 2013-14 Los Angeles Kings and the 2002-03 New Jersey Devils.

That Devils team managed to win the Cup despite having the league's worst power play entering the postseason (11.9%). 

⚡️ Lightning lack spark in one-goal games 

With 19-1-1 record since Dec. 20 and Nikita Kucherov ascending the MVP odds faster than a lightning strike, it's nearly impossible to poke holes in the Tampa Bay Lightning's game.

I don't want to make a mountain out of a mole hill, but Jon Cooper will want to see his team improve in one-goal games, where they rank 13th with a .522 win percentage. That's one of the only minor chinks in their otherwise reinforced armor. 

🌀 Hurricanes to work on closing out games

There is a lot to like about the Carolina Hurricanes, especially with their bogey team, the Florida Panthers, reeling on the outside of the playoff mix. 

Like the Lightning, the Hurricanes are one of the most well-rounded, balanced teams. Their biggest weakness won't trigger insomnia for head coach Rod Brind'Amour. But as a perfectionist, he'll want to improve his team's ability to close out games when entering the second period with the lead. 

With a 17-5-2 record, the Hurricanes rank 23rd in points percentage (.708) in those scenarios. 

♞ Widespread improvements needed in Sin City 

The Vegas Golden Knights have the fourth-shortest Stanley Cup odds, but they aren't playing like it. We aren't merely looking at a minor issue to smooth over, but a bevy of systemic issues, including:

• 28th in one-goal games (.364 points percentage)
• 26th in scoring first games
• 23rd in scoring first win percentage (.640)
• Tied for 24th when leading after first period (.688)
• 29th goals against above expected (20.16)

Until further notice, I'm avoiding the Golden Knights as a futures pick. Let's see how Adin Hill plays after the Olympic break, but for now, it's a no where Vegas is concerned. 

🛢️ Oilers' bottom-of-the-barrel defensive stats 

It's no coincidence that the Pacific Division is the worst in the NHL, with the two front-runners showing more frailties than a 100-year-old. The Oilers' inconsistencies at home and on the road are due to various factors, including: 

• 26th in one-goal games (.385 points percentage)
• 28th when trailing after first period (.176)
• 25th in goals against per game (3.29)
• 26th penalty kill (76.9%)
• 28th expected goals against
• 25th goals for above expected (-10.83)
• 24th goals against per 60 minutes (2.74)
• 21st home points percentage (.586)

Even having Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the greatest equalizers in the world, isn't enough to offset those glaringly gruesome numbers. You can only gloss over so much. 

⭐ Stars don't create enough chances 

The Dallas Stars are going under the radar thus far, but it's worth paying attention to a team that has made the Western Conference Final in three straight seasons. 

While they don't create enough chances, ranking 22nd in expected goals and high-danger shots, they have the eighth-best goals for above expected. As long as they continue being so ruthless in front of the goal, there's little to worry about in Big D.