- Carolina, Edmonton, Dallas, and Florida are among the best odds for playoff projections thanks to elite special teams, scoring depth, and strong defensive structure.
- New Jersey, Minnesota, Montreal, and Calgary have the potential to hit the playoff bubble, each showing promise but weighed down by different facets of their teams.
- Boston, Pittsburgh, Nashville, and San Jose face steep odds after down seasons marked by aging rosters, poor scoring, or major rebuilds.
RALEIGH, N.C. – With the 2025–26 NHL season about to begin, teams are entering the year with playoff expectations shaped by last season’s performances. The postseason picture is already taking form based on roster depth, special teams success, and final 2024–25 stats.
Strongest NHL Playoff Odds
The Hurricanes lead the way with the strongest odds to make the NHL Playoffs at -1200. Carolina had the strongest penalty kill in the league in 2024–2025, with 83.6%, while giving up 2.81 goals per game. They remain a dependable postseason club because of their defensive system and organizational depth.
Edmonton comes next at -1000 odds. Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid scored roughly 200 points between them last season, and the Oilers' power play ended up scoring 23.7%. Although they don't rank close to the best power plays, Edmonton is a serious contender thanks to their offensive firepower and late-season surge.
Dallas has the second-best goal average in the NHL with 3.35 goals per game, which has NHL betting sites putting them at -950 odds. With a 2.59 goals-against average, goalie Jake Oettinger and the Stars continue to have one of the most evenly matched lineups in the league.
After winning the Stanley Cup and re-signing important players like Brad Marchand, Niko Mikkola, and Sam Bennett, the Florida Panthers, who are currently at -400 odds, have made sure they have a competitive core going into 2025–2026.
Bubble Teams
According to USA online sportsbooks, several teams hover near the playoff bubble. New Jersey sits at -360 odds after finishing third in power play percentage (28.2%) but struggled with goaltending, posting a .898 save percentage.
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Minnesota is at -210 odds after a volatile year. The Wild finished 30th overall in penalty kill (72.4%) and had a negative goal differential, but Kirill Kaprizov is still a serious scoring threat.
Montreal starts at +105 odds, giving up 3.18 goals per game, and ending up with a goal difference of -18. Despite their attack scoring 2.96 goals per game, their defensive solidity is still in doubt.
Despite having a good season finale, Calgary scored 2.68 goals per game, 29th overall in the NHL, landing them at +260 odds. Furthermore, the Flames have a solid chance of returning to the postseason after missing out on it last year due to a tiebreaker against the St. Louis Blues.
Long Shots
Meanwhile, due to aging lineups and patchy play, Boston (-600), Pittsburgh (-1000), and Nashville (-300) all suffered setbacks the previous season. At -4000 odds, San Jose had the lowest goal difference in the league with -102, and they are still rebuilding with an emphasis on youth development.
These teams will have to make significant improvements to return to playoff contention, as the competition grows stronger across the league.
Hunter began writing for USAOnlineSportsbooks in 2025 after graduating with a degree in Marketing and Sports Management. As a huge sports fan with extensive hockey knowledge, his focus on sports betting trends and industry analysis seeks to engage and inform readers.
