The NHL 2024-25 regular season is nearing its end, and the contenders for the Stanley Cup are becoming clearer. Washington Capitals` star Alex Ovechkin is getting closer to Wayne Gretzky`s all-time goal record. In NHL awards news, the Hart Trophy competition is now mainly between two players, and the Calder Trophy race is very tight. As the regular season winds down, the latest NHL betting odds have changed significantly.
Expert handicapper Jimmie Kaylor has analyzed the recent betting trends and NHL futures odds. He has shared his top picks for the Stanley Cup, Hart Memorial Trophy, James Norris Memorial Trophy, and Calder Memorial Trophy.
In a previous prediction, Kaylor correctly picked Nathan MacKinnon as the first goal scorer and predicted a low-scoring game with under 5.5 goals. MacKinnon scored first, and the game ended 3-2, exactly as predicted.
This week, Kaylor also successfully predicted a five-leg parlay in the Avalanche vs. Red Wings game, resulting in a nearly 7-1 payout.
Kaylor has reviewed the latest NHL odds and has locked in his best futures bets for the Stanley Cup and NHL player awards.
2025 Stanley Cup Odds
| Current Odds | Last Week Odds | Opening Odds | |
| Winnipeg Jets | +1100 | +1200 | +2200 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +1100 | +1100 | +1000 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +1000 | +1050 | +1100 |
| Washington Capitals | +1000 | +1000 | +10000 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +750 | +800 | +1000 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +750 | +700 | +1000 |
| Dallas Stars | +600 | +600 | +1000 |
| Florida Panthers | +550 | +550 | +900 |
There wasn`t much change this week, except for the Avalanche and Hurricanes improving their Stanley Cup odds. The Oilers slightly decreased, while the Stars and Panthers remain the top favorites. Colorado is performing very well but is likely to face Dallas in the first playoff round.
Best Value Bet: Colorado Avalanche +750
Hart Memorial Trophy Odds
| Current Odds | Last Week Odds | Opening Odds | |
| Leon Draisaitl | +425 | +250 | +2200 |
| Nathan MacKinnon | +180 | +350 | +550 |
| Connor Hellebuyck | -185 | -220 | +15000 |
With Draisaitl out, the Hart Trophy race is now mainly between Hellebuyck and MacKinnon. Hellebuyck is still the favorite, but MacKinnon has narrowed the gap, with his odds almost halving this week. With the Avalanche`s current performance, MacKinnon has a good chance to win the Hart Trophy again. MacKinnon has the most bets placed on him, but Hellebuyck represents a bigger potential loss.
Best bet: Nathan MacKinnon (+180)
James Norris Trophy Odds
| Current Odds | Last Week Odds | Opening Odds | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quinn Hughes | +5000 | +4000 | +600 |
| Zach Werenski | +360 | +325 | +10000 |
| Cale Makar | -700 | -650 | +250 |
No significant changes here – Makar is clearly leading the Norris Trophy race. Makar has 53.5% of the total bets and 25.9% of all tickets, but Hughes could cause a bigger loss.
Best value bet: Cale Makar (-750) at 3+ units
Calder Memorial Trophy Odds
| Current Odds | Last Week Odds | Opening Odds | |
| Matvei Michkov | +8000 | +800 | +350 |
| Dustin Wolf | +1800 | +1000 | 1500 |
| Macklin Celebrini | -120 | -225 | +400 |
| Lane Hutson | -110 | +260 | +700 |
The Calder Trophy race will likely be decided in the final week of the regular season. Hutson might become the favorite over Celebrini soon. However, Michkov remains the biggest potential loss.
Best Bet: Lane Hutson (-110)
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