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Panthers, Avalanche Draw Bettors as Stanley Cup Favorites Split Books
Florida’s offseason splash fuels championship action, while Macklin Celebrini attracts heavy interest in the Hart Trophy market ahead of the 2026-27 season.
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A divided Stanley Cup market
Sportsbooks enter the 2026-27 NHL season without a clear agreement on the Stanley Cup favorite, with Carolina, Colorado and Florida sharing the spotlight. Defending champion Carolina is a +650 co-favorite at DraftKings after opening at +700. Keeping much of its championship roster has supported that price, but public enthusiasm remains modest: the Hurricanes account for just 3.5% of Stanley Cup handle at BetMGM. Colorado leads Caesars’ board at +600. Despite falling short in the Western Conference Finals after a dominant regular season, the Avalanche return their key players and lead BetMGM’s championship market with 9.4% of wagers. Florida’s acquisition of Brady Tkachuk from Ottawa helped push its odds from 11-1 into the favorites’ group. The Panthers are +650 at DraftKings, BetMGM and FanDuel, with DraftKings reporting that Florida holds its largest share of championship money at 21%.
Vegas money and Washington’s climb
Edmonton and Vegas sit behind the leading contenders at DraftKings, priced at +800 and +850, respectively. The Golden Knights have attracted a particularly concentrated share of money at BetMGM, where they account for 40.5% of Stanley Cup handle. Washington has undergone an especially sharp repricing, moving from 50-1 to 17-1 at DraftKings. Additions including Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou have renewed interest in a team seeking another championship opportunity for Alex Ovechkin after missing the playoffs. At the longer end of the board, St. Louis carries 200-1 odds at DraftKings but represents BetMGM’s largest championship liability.
Celebrini commands Hart attention
Macklin Celebrini is the most-bet Hart Trophy candidate at several sportsbooks, extending the betting enthusiasm surrounding San Jose. DraftKings lists him at +450, behind Connor McDavid at +300 and Nathan MacKinnon at +350. Bettors are also considering longer-priced candidates. Jack Hughes has drawn interest at 25-1, while Connor Bedard, priced at 40-1, is BetMGM’s biggest liability in the Hart market.
Analysis, not a wagering instruction. Confirm every number on the sportsbook. 21+.
