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The start of the 2026-27 regular season is right around the corner with the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes kicking off the new year on Tuesday, September 29th at 5:00pm EST. With a majority of their roster intact, the Hurricanes will look to recapture the same success they had last season and hoist the Stanley Cup for the second year in a row.
Stanley Cup Odds
Prediction Market Watch
The rise of prediction markets have created more markets to help line shop, making them a valuable tool to add to your disposal. While some sportsbooks have the Colorado Avalanche listed at +650 to win the Stanley Cup, Polymarket has them listed at 13¢ which equates to +669, a difference of $19 in profit for a $100 bettor.
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Stanley Cup Contenders
Florida Panthers
After digging themselves too deep into a hole for them to climb out of last year while dealing with injuries, the Florida Panthers are expected to round back into dominant form with health back on their side and make another run at the title.
Key losses across the top two lines made it difficult for the Panthers to defend their net, limping into the offseason ranked near dead last in Expected Goals Against. With the defense giving them the production they need to be a well rounded unit, the Panthers will be able to reduce the amount of variance in their contests, increasing their chances of winning.
Colorado Avalanche
Arguably no one in the league is more loaded with talent at all three levels of the ice, making the Colorado Avalanche the team to beat heading into the new year. Not only did their core lead them to a top ranked mark in Expected Goals For, their revamped defense put them in a tier of their own, climbing into the top-3 in Expected Goals Against.
The Avs ability to rotate Scott Wedgewood and MacKenzie Blackwood without suffering a drop off in production will also make it easier for them to preserve their legs, giving them a massive edge over their opponents the deeper they get into the playoffs.
Carolina Hurricanes
Fresh off of a Stanley Cup, the Carolina Hurricanes bring back a majority of their core who led them to top-5 marks in Expected Goals on both sides of the ice.
The emergence of Brandon Bussi will help ease the loss of Frederik Anderson, pairing him with Pyotr Kochetkov to give the Hurricanes a dynamic duo they can rotate throughout the year. WIth continuity at all three levels, don’t be surprised if the Hurricanes blitz their way to another appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Edmonton Oilers
Even when loaded with talent, the lack of production the Edmonton Oilers received from their goaltending held them back from being a well rounded unit, leading to an early exit out of the playoffs.
Barring a sudden turnaround from Tristan Jarry, the Oilers will be forced to combat against a high amount of variance, lowering their chances of winning when the quality of opponent ramps up. Jarry was abysmal in net last season, finishing his 2025-26 campaign averaging 3.32 Goals Against per game and a .882 Save Percentage in 33 starts.
Award Predictions
Hart Trophy (MVP)
Nathan MacKinnon — One of the most versatile players in the league, Nathan MacKinnon has been the engine that drives the Avs offense, generating 0.51 Expected Goals while averaging nearly one Assist per game. With Colorado projected to be one of the top teams in the West, expect the spotlight to shine brighter on MacKinnon while they string together their wins, crashing his odds to win the award as the season progresses.
Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year)
Porter Martone — In his brief appearance at the end of the 2025-26 regular season, Porter Martone was brilliant, averaging 0.54 Expected Goals while generating 3.56 Shots on Goal per game. If the Philadelphia Phillies can take a step forward on offense to help compliment a dominant defense, Martone will find his name listed comfortably at the top of the oddsboard to win the Calder trophy.
Vezina Trophy (Best Goaltender)
Andrei Vasilevskiy — With Connor Hellebuyck’s motivation in question after requesting a trade while Logan Thompson and Igor Shesterkin are protected by a pair of back lines who rank in the bottom fifteen in Expected Goals Against, Andrei Vasilevskiy is in a great position to win the Vezina trophy for the second year in a row. Especially with Scott Wedgwood and MacKenzie Blackwood chipping at each other’s workload, lacking the starts that are needed to keep pace.
X-Factors & Players to Watch
Gavin McKenna/A star in the making — With the number one overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft skating alongside Auston Matthews and John Tavares, Gavin McKenna will be able to hit the ground running and rack up points at a blistering fast pace. If you want to diversify your risk for the Calder trophy, place a separate wager on McKenna to pair with Porter.
Ivan Demidov/Can he take a step forward with his production? — In his first full stint with Montreal, Ivan Demidov generated a heavy volume of Assists, giving the Canadiens front line the versatility they needed to turn into a competitive unit. If Demidov can be more aggressive in his efforts of scoring, he will jockey with the likes of MacKinnon and McDavid for the Hart trophy, making him one of the more exciting players to watch this season.
Connor McDavid/Getting over the hump — Speaking of McDavid, he has made it clear it’s Stanley Cup or bust this season with the future hall of famer still in search of his first title. While the talent on offense is certainly there to make a run, question marks still loom over their net, putting more pressure on McDavid’s shoulders to keep the Oilers afloat.
Bold Predictions
Detroit Red Wings Finish With the Fewest Points — With Dylan Larkin potentially being dealt, the Detroit Red Wings production on offense will crater, making it near impossible to keep pace their opponents on a nightly basis.
Anaheim Ducks Miss the Playoffs — Even though the Ducks ranked in the top-4 in Expected Goals For, the lack of production they receive from their back line and goal tending will force them to play in highly volatile contests, an unsustainable style of play.
Carolina Hurricanes Make a Second Straight Appearance in the Finals — With continuity all over the ice while playing in a fairly weak Eastern Conference, the Hurricanes are in a great position to make another deep run in the playoffs and make a second straight appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals.
FAQ
When does the NHL season start?
The 2026-27 NHL season opens Tuesday, September 29.
How many games are in an NHL season?
There are a total of 1,344 games in an NHL season.
How can I watch NHL games?
You can watch NHL games via regional broadcast channels, ESPN/ABC, TNT, and NHL Network. There are also streaming options you can choose from, including Hulu+Live TV, Fubo TV, Sling TV, and HBO Max.
Photo Credit: REUTERS
