NHL Stanley Cup odds are drawing fresh attention as the 2026-27 season gets underway, and the race looks more open than it has in years. The Carolina Hurricanes ended a 20-year championship drought last season, but USA TODAY Sports’ panel of experts does not expect them to reach the final again. This NHL preview looks at the contenders, the Canadian push, and the storylines that could reshape the title race.
Hurricanes Enter 2026-27 as Defending Champions
Carolina’s title run ended two decades of waiting, and the obvious question is whether the Hurricanes can repeat. USA TODAY Sports’ NHL writers Mike Brehm, Jace Evans, and Kevin Skiver all believe Carolina will win the Metropolitan Division again, which shows how much respect the champions still command in the regular season.
Still, none of the three picked the Hurricanes to return to the Stanley Cup Final. That gap between division strength and championship belief is why NHL Stanley Cup odds are so interesting right now. Winning the regular season and winning four playoff rounds are very different challenges, and repeating is among the hardest feats in hockey.
Early Cup Favorites: Oilers, Canadiens, and Panthers
Among the early cup favorites, the experts’ picks split in a revealing way. Two of the three chose a Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup, which would be the first Canadian champion since 1993. One went with the Edmonton Oilers, and another picked the Montreal Canadiens.
The third expert chose the Florida Panthers, who won back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025. Florida’s case got stronger with Aleksander Barkov back from an ACL injury. A healthy Barkov changes the Panthers’ ceiling, since he drives their two-way play and their depth down the lineup. Any serious look at NHL Stanley Cup odds has to account for his return.
How NHL Stanley Cup Odds Change During the Season
Preseason picks are a starting point, not a verdict. NHL Stanley Cup odds move quickly with injuries, goaltending form, and trade-deadline activity. A strong October can lift a team’s price, while a long injury to a core player can send it the other way.
Bettors and fans should watch a few things:
- Goaltending stability: Teams with reliable netminding tend to hold up in the playoffs.
- Health of star players: Barkov’s recovery in Florida is the clearest example this year.
- Divisional strength: Carolina’s expected Metropolitan finish keeps it in the conversation no matter what the picks say.
- Roster depth: Deeper teams usually survive the grind of a four-round run better.
What to Watch This Season
The most intriguing storyline is the Canadian drought. Edmonton and Montreal give two very different arguments: the Oilers bring proven star power, while the Canadiens bring momentum and the chance to end a long wait. If either team starts strongly, expect the national conversation to build quickly.
Carolina will also be fascinating. Can a champion with a title-winning formula stay hungry? The Panthers, meanwhile, are the only expert pick with recent championship experience, which matters in tight playoff series.
If you follow other leagues too, check out our NBA power rankings for the 2026-27 preseason, our look at NBA MVP odds for 2026-27, and our guide on how to watch NBA games this season.
FAQs
Who did the experts pick to win the 2026-27 Stanley Cup?
USA TODAY Sports’ three NHL experts split their picks: one chose the Edmonton Oilers, one the Montreal Canadiens, and one the Florida Panthers.
How do NHL Stanley Cup odds work?
NHL Stanley Cup odds show how oddsmakers rate each team’s chance of winning the title. Shorter odds mean a stronger favorite, and the numbers shift with injuries, results, and roster moves.
Can the Carolina Hurricanes repeat as champions?
They are expected to win the Metropolitan Division again, but none of the three experts have them reaching the final.
Will a Canadian team win the Stanley Cup?
Two of the three experts think so. No Canadian team has won the Cup since 1993, so the pick carries extra weight.
The 2026-27 season has a champion with something to prove, a returning star in Florida and two Canadian teams chasing history. Keep an eye on NHL Stanley Cup odds as the months go by, because the early picks will almost certainly be tested long before the playoffs arrive.