Best 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Contenders, Sleepers & Longshots Picks

By Kody Malstrom | Apr 15, 2026, 3:50pm

With the Florida Panthers eliminated from playoff contention, a new team will be crowned the champion. 16 teams enter the NHL Playoffs with all hopes of making a run to the Stanley Cup Finals, pitting the conference champions against each other in a seven game series starting in early June.

2026 NHL Stanley Cup Futures Market

Since the start of the regular season, the Colorado Avalanche have seen their odds of winning the Stanley Cup steadily grow, fielding arguably the most well rounded lineup in the league. The Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes have also thrown their hat in the ring as a viable contender, nearly matching the Avs output on both sides of the ice.

Best 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Contender Pick

Here are the top contenders to win the 2026 Stanley Cup.

Colorado Avalanche
Tampa Bay Lightning
Carolina Hurricanes

Heading into the playoffs, it’s hard to envision anyone beating the Avs, a formidable contender who ranks in the top-5 in Expected Goals For and in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Especially with Scott Wedgewood and MacKenzie Blackwood anchoring their net as both goalies reside near the top of the board in average Goals Against per game.

Rivaling the Avs in the West are the Dallas Stars, a versatile unit who possess the depth that is needed to break through their suffocating coverage. Unfortunately for the Stars, the Avs advantages in net will neutralize their front line, making it hard for them to keep it close on the scoreboard, lowering their chances of winning.

In the East, the Lightning and Hurricanes have been in a tier of their own in regard to Expected Goals, yet their lack of depth in net will make their goaltenders vulnerable to regression once their legs start to wear out. With clear advantages at all three areas of the ice, place a bet on the Avs to win the Stanley Cup before their odds continue to plummet.

Best NHL Stanley Cup Contender Pick: Colorado Avalanche

Best 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Sleeper Pick

Here are the top sleepers to win the 2026 Stanley Cup.

Vegas Golden Knights
Edmonton Oilers
Ottawa Senators

After losing to the Panthers in the Stanley Cup Finals last year, the Edmonton Oilers will struggle to make their return this year with their back line sitting in the bottom half of the board in Expected Goals Against. The latest injury to Zach Hyman will also disrupt their rhythm on offense, losing a productive forward who averaged more than 0.60 Expected Goals per game.

The Vegas Golden Knights meanwhile are far more well rounded than the Oilers, making it easier for them to reduce the amount of variance in their contests which is vital in a seven game series. With Adin Hill struggling to find his footing, Akira Schmid will need to shoulder a heavier workload, potentially accelerating regression once he gets exhausted.

On the other side of the bracket, the Ottawa Senators are an intriguing sleeper pick to monitor, getting hot at just the right time by climbing into the top-10 in Expected Goals on both sides of the ice. If Linus Ullmark can start walling off shots at a higher rate, then they are more than capable of dethroning the Hurricanes and Lightning.

Best NHL Stanley Cup Sleeper Pick: Ottawa Senators

Best 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Longshot Pick

Here are the top longshots to win the 2026 Stanley Cup.

Anaheim Ducks
Pittsburgh Penguins

Even though the Anaheim Ducks rivaled the Golden Knights for first in the Pacific division standings, negative regression looms large once their quality of opponent ramps up as they lack the production on defense that is needed to be competitive. Especially with Lukas Dostal incapable of masking their struggles in coverage with his protection, averaging 3.10 Goals Against per game and a .888 Save Percentage.

The Pittsburgh Penguins on the other hand are more than capable of making some noise in the playoffs, fielding a front line who ranks sixth in Expected Goals For in All Situations. Should the bracket break their way, then expect the Penguins to make a run and potentially contend for the Stanley Cup.

Best NHL Stanley Cup Longshot Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins

Photo Credit: AP/David Zalubowski

Kody Malstrom

Kody is a professional sports bettor and sports betting journalist with eight years of experience in the industry. He covers a wide range of sports, including NFL, NCAAF, NBA, NCAAB, NHL, MLB, and UFC. What started as a side gig has turned into a full time job, spending a majority of his time staring at odds screens and market movement. When away from the computer, Kody enjoys spending his time outdoors relaxing at the beach or golfing with friends.