The race for the Stanley Cup is the major highlight of any season, and an NHL bet on the eventual champions is one of the most popular ice hockey wagers there is. The intensity ramps up in the NHL Playoffs, as the action is faster and more furious than regular-season matches. It's an action-packed time of the campaign, and it's also when new markets for NHL odds arrive on the scene.
History of the NHL Playoffs
Professional hockey teams were first permitted to compete for the Stanley Cup in 1906, having first been commissioned for amateur clubs in 1892.
Only twice in NHL Stanley Cup playoff history has a Canadian team failed to reach the postseason. As of 2023, the title drought for Canadian teams had reached 3 decades since the Montreal Canadiens lifted the trophy in 1993.
The Montreal Canadiens are the all-time leaders in Stanley Cup Playoff appearances and the only team to have won over 20 Stanley Cup titles. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings are the only other 2 NHL franchises to have reached double figures.
The biggest individual honour during the playoffs is the Conn Smythe Trophy, the MVP Award for the NHL postseason. It's a popular bet on the NHL for hockey odds and stands alongside other NHL awards like the Calder Memorial Trophy for the top rookie.
NHL Betting Markets
Come the postseason, new NHL odds appear for the outcome of each series. These ice hockey betting markets are options for forecasting exactly how an NHL playoff series will end. The most popular NHL winning bet option for a series is the straightforward 'To Win Series' option.
An alternative 4-0 option in the 'Series Correct Score' market would predict a blowout, while Over 5.5 in the 'Series Total Games' would be forecasting a tight contest. There are plenty of other options to bet on the NHL, too, such as:
- Winning Division
- Series Total Games
- Series Total Games Over/Under
- Series Correct Score
NHL winning bet options for playoff odds don't stop there. Regular bet NHL markets are still in force, from the 'Match Result' market to the 'First Goalscorer' and 'Total Goals' per game. There are also NHL odds on prop bets for team and player performance, like the number of shots on target. Also, several market options can be pulled together in the same-game wager for NHL betting.
NHL Betting Tips
Form is the most important factor to look for when trying to select an NHL winning bet in the playoffs. A team that lost five of its last seven regular-season matches could struggle to get its groove back in the tougher playoff arena, whereas a team that put on a four-match winning streak to secure playoff hockey would have great momentum.
Another key factor in NHL playoff betting is analysing teams' performance in the last few years. For example, a team that has reached the Conference Finals in 3 of the last 4 seasons indicates a big force and potentially better value than a first-time playoff team.
Currently, no wild card team has ever won the Stanley Cup, so outsiders in the NHL winning bet options for the Stanley Cup genuinely have it tough. Unsurprisingly, the most successful seed in the first round has been the number one seed.
The NHL playoff odds will be available at the same time as the Ice Hockey World Championship odds, but they don't impact playoff betting. Players only go to the World Championship once their NHL season is over.
NHL 2025/26 Season Schedule
The season schedule features key dates to bet on NHL, including:
- February 2: Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series.
- February 6-22: 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy.
- February 11-22: Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Tournament, featuring NHL players for the first time since 2014.
- March 6: NHL Trade Deadline Day at 3 p.m. ET.
- March 20: A Stanley Cup Final rematch (Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers).
- April 17: Last day of the 2025-26 NHL regular season.
- April 18: Start of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
- June: Stanley Cup Final matchup.
NHL 2026 Season Upcoming Highlighted Changes
The NHL 2025/26 season has seen the construction of Scotia Place, KeyBank Center’s lease extension, and major player signings and swaps. Major changes, primarily related to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), are already in effect for the current 2025-26 season. Changes scheduled for the 2026-27 season include:
- The regular season will expand to 84 games, shortening the preseason to 4 games per team.
- Maximum contract lengths will be reduced to 7 years for re-signing players and 6 years for new signings.
- The minimum player salary will increase to $850,000.
- Teams are required to carry a third traveling goalie.
NHL Playoff Odds
With the 2025-26 NHL season well underway, the Colorado Avalanche are favorites to win the 2026 Stanley Cup based on current NHL odds.
Despite their back-to-back championships, the Florida Panthers face lower playoff probability estimates due to key injuries. Specifically, captain Aleksander Barkov is ruled out for the regular season with a torn ACL.
The Dallas Stars are a strong pick when you bet on ice hockey , with their history of eliminating the Avalanche in past playoffs. Teams like the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks are surprisingly in the mix for wild-card spots.
NHL Playoff Format
Qualified teams are split into separate brackets based on conference and division and organised by seeding. All match-ups are best-of-seven series, with the Western and Eastern Conference champions meeting in the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Stanley Cup playoffs have four rounds of the best-of-seven series. Each of these series is played under a 2–2–1–1–1 format. Ideally, the home-ice advantage team hosts the first, second, fifth, and seventh games.
On the other hand, their opponent will host the third, fourth, and sixth games. However, bettors who do pre-game betting will have to wait, as the fifth, sixth, and seventh games are only played when necessary.
Only 8 teams in each conference will qualify for the playoffs. According to the playoff series format launched in 2014, the top three ranking teams in each of the four divisions automatically qualify for the playoffs.
Two more teams with the highest point totals of all the other teams, regardless of divisional alignment, qualify for the playoffs with wild cards.
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