The 2024-25 NHL playoff odds are already predicting if your favorite team will make the postseason. So let's see if your team has a shot of winning the Stanley Cup.
On the NHL playoffs odds board, you'll find great value in the reshaped Washington Capitals at +165 to make the playoffs. I like Utah's odds to make the playoffs at +175 in the Western Conference.
2024-25 NHL Playoff Odds: Eastern Conference
| Team | Make Playoffs: Yes | Make Playoffs: No |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Bruins | -225 | +160 |
| Buffalo Sabres | +160 | -225 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | -350 | +250 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +1200 | -5000 |
| Detroit Red Wings | +125 | -165 |
| Florida Panthers | -500 | +325 |
| Montreal Canadiens | +500 | -1112 |
| New Jersey Devils | -450 | +300 |
| New York Islanders | +110 | -150 |
| New York Rangers | -351 | +250 |
| Ottawa Senators | +110 | -151 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | +160 | -226 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | +120 | -166 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | -250 | +175 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | -400 | +275 |
| Washington Capitals | +165 | -236 |
Odds as of August 21
Florida Panthers Playoffs Odds
After winning the Stanley Cup last year, it's only natural to see the Panthers with the best odds to make the playoffs in the East at -500. A Cup winner hasn't missed the next playoffs since the 2006 Carolina Hurricanes.
Florida's biggest loss on the roster happened through free agency with defenseman Brandon Montour signing with the Seattle Kraken. The Panthers had a precarious cap situation, so keeping Montour would have been impossible.
With virtually the same team and coaching staff that earned 110 points in the standings last year, it's hard to see Florida falling off the map in 24-25.
Ottawa Senators Playoffs Odds
There's some value on Ottawa to miss the playoffs at +151. A winning $100 bet would net you a $166 payout. I get that the Sens picked up former Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark, but I don't think we see the same goalie.
We've seen Ullmark play outside of Boston before. He was a Buffalo Sabre for six years and averaged a 0.912SV% and 2.78GAA.
He won't benefit from a solid Boston defensive system in front of him. Instead, he's got an Ottawa system that has allowed the 10th most goals per game and 11th most shots against since 20-21.
Ullmark might not be able to save the Sens from themselves.
Washington Capitals Playoff Odds
Washington has had a solid offseason with the additions of Jakob Chychrun, Andrew Mangiapane and Pierre-Luc Dubois. All have had their struggles before but they've also got a lot of quality. If all three can be the best they can be I wouldn't bet against Washington sneaking in.
Remember, they made the playoffs last year despite only having three players score more than 35 points. Those three additions could be huge for the Caps and make the playoffs next year.
2024-25 NHL Playoff Odds: Western Conference
| Team | Make Playoffs: Yes | Make Playoffs: No |
|---|---|---|
| Anaheim Ducks | +800 | -3300 |
| Calgary Flames | +300 | -500 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | +750 | -2500 |
| Colorado Avalanche | -600 | +375 |
| Dallas Stars | -550 | +350 |
| Edmonton Oilers | -1205 | +550 |
| Los Angeles Kings | -250 | +185 |
| Minnesota Wild | -141 | +100 |
| Nahsville Predators | -330 | +225 |
| San Jose Sharks | +1400 | -10000 |
| Seattle Kraken | +140 | -200 |
| St. Louis Blues | +160 | -225 |
| Utah Hockey Club | +175 | -250 |
| Vancouver Canucks | -275 | +200 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | -350 | +250 |
| Winnipeg Jets | -200 | +140 |
Odds as of August 21
Edmonton Oilers Playoff Odds
Just like the Panthers, there's no surprise to see Edmonton hold the best odds to make the playoffs in the West at -1205. Last year, the Oilers were one win away from a historic reverse sweep and a Stanley Cup championship.
Connor McDavid won't let that failure stand. The best player in the game was a beast in the playoffs and was justly awarded the Conn Smythe -- he's only the second skater from a losing team to win it. No doubt they make the postseason in 24-25.
Minnesota Wild Playoff Odds
I wouldn't back the Wild to make the playoffs in 2024-25. Remember, they missed the playoffs last year by 12 points. Did they get 12 points better in the offseason? No.
They didn't add anyone of consequence. So for Minni to be better next year players already on the roster must take another step. Mats Zuccarello is 36 (going on 37 soon) we can't expect more from him. Kiril Kaprizov was nearly a 100-point player, expecting more isn't fair to him. Brock Faber is only in his second NHL season, he's still got some growing pains ahead of him. And Matt Boldy was nearly at a point per game with 69 points in 75 games.
All that to say I feel this Wild side isn't about to unlock more from the players they've got. Adding those 12 points to make the playoffs is unlikely.
Utah Hockey Club Playoff Odds
At +175, Utah's odds of making the postseason aren't "good". That's a 36% implied odds of making the playoffs. But I like their chances if that newly assembled top defensive pair can gel.
In case you forgot UHC traded for Mikhail Sergachev and Jon Marino. Both are young (26 and 25 respectively) and play well over 20 minutes a night. They've also got a heck of a scoring touch. Marino hit a career-high 41 points last year while Sergachev scored over 60 two seasons ago.
As an Islanders fan, I've seen this movie before. The Isles missed the playoffs in 2014 and revolutionized their backline by trading for Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk in the 14-15 offseason. New York made the playoffs in 2015.
Arizona was in a playoff spot as late as the end of December last year. With a proper top defensive unit, there's a balance on this team that didn't exist before. They could very well make the playoffs in 24-25.
