Category: NHL

Best NHL anytime goal picks Oct. 7: Back Lafreniere and Marchand in Tuesday’s season opener

NHL anytime goal picks

The NHL returns on Tuesday with a three-game slate, headlined by the defending champion Florida Panthers’ banner night celebration.

The pregame narrative: Brad Marchand cemented himself as one of the greatest deadline acquisitions ever by scoring 10 goals and 20 points last spring, helping Florida win a second consecutive Stanley Cup. The veteran inked a five-year deal over the offseason, and I expect him to make noise in Florida’s opener against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for Oct. 7, featuring a pick on New York Rangers forward Alexis Lafreniere.

NHL anytime goal picks

Best bet: Marchand to score a goal (+200)

Marchand’s 0.43 goal per game rate in the postseason would net out to roughly 36 over a full 82-game season.

I’m sure Florida would sign up for that in a heartbeat.

The veteran only scored 23 regular-season goals last year, and he hasn’t crested 30 since his 2021-22 season with the Boston Bruins.

Still, I think Marchand has a lot left in the tank. And Tuesday’s matchup couldn’t be better.

Chicago was one of the NHL’s doormats last season, allowing the second-most goals (3.56) and third-most shots against (31.1) per game.

The Blackhawks also ranked last in expected goal difference (-72.59) and Corsi rate (43.55%), per MoneyPuck.com.

Alex Barkov’s injury forced Florida to shake up its lineup before the season even began. Daily Faceoff projects Marchand to skate on the first line with Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett.

Key stat: Marchand scored two goals in his lone game against the Blackhawks last year.

Embed: #118888

NHL predictions

Lafreniere to score a goal (+215): The New York Rangers are coming off a disasterous season, mainly because the production from aging stars like Chris Kreider — who’s now with the Anaheim Ducks — and Mika Zibanejad fell off a cliff.

Someone is going to have to take the reins in the Big Apple outside of Artemi Panarin, and I’m bullish on Lafreniere having a breakout campaign.

This will be the sixth season for the 2020 first-overall pick, but we have to remember he’s only just approaching 24 years old.

Lafreniere is going to be skating with Panarin, who has elite vision as a passer, and Vincent Trocheck, a solid veteran presence up the middle of the ice.

The Rangers host a Pittsburgh Penguins team that might be in lottery talks this season.

Tristan Jarry is in goal for the Pens, and he ranked 40th or worse in GAA (3.12), SV% (.893) and goals saved above expected (-4.7) last season.

NHL anytime goal picks made at 2:01 p.m. ET on 10/06/2025.

NHL 2025-26 futures picks: Stanley Cup prediction, plus best bets on Jack Hughes, Macklin Celebrini and Nick Suzuki

NHL futures predictions

The NHL season is just around the corner, but there’s still time to dig into the futures market.

Ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, I’m recommending four futures picks, including a +1,000 choice to win the Stanley Cup. I also have futures picks on Macklin Celebrini, Jack Hughes — who has tremendous value to win the Art Ross Trophy — and Nick Suzuki.

Check out my favourite NHL futures predictions below.

NHL futures predictions

Dallas Stars to win the Stanley Cup (+1,000): When looking for potential Stanley Cup winners, there are a few things on my checklist.

And the Stars tick off all the boxes.

  • Dallas finally has a star: Mikko Rantanen unexpectedly ended the season with the Stars and signed a big extension to stay with the team. The winger showcased his true star power in the playoffs, scoring 22 points in 18 games.
  • The depth is strong: Dallas can roll three lines with confidence, while Miro Heiskanen and Thomas Harley lead a stout defensive unit.
  • Jake Oettinger is just hitting his prime: The Stars goalie is just 26 years old and has been at the top of the goaltender rankings for several seasons. He has a career .912 save percentage.

Dallas was within striking distance last year, reaching the Western Conference finals before losing out to the Edmonton Oilers.

Heiskanen played only 50 games in 2024-25, and Rantanen was acquired at the deadline.

With both all-stars likely to play more games, there’s a real shot the Stars win the Central Division, or even the West, setting up home advantage in the playoffs.

Bet on NHL futures

Art Ross prediction

Hughes (+3,000): Hughes is going into his seventh NHL season… at 24 years old.

This could still be a year too early, but there’s great value on the New Jersey Devils’ star forward.

Injuries have derailed Hughes’ last two seasons. But the last time he was fully healthy, he had 99 points in 78 games as a 21-year-old.

Hughes has still recorded 1.16 points per game over the past couple of years.

There’s always the safe pick of Connor McDavid (+200) or Nikita Kucherov (+350), who have combined to win the last five Art Ross trophies, but I’m putting my eggs in a new basket.

It feels like the right time for Hughes to turn from star to superstar, and that could mean leading the NHL in points.

Hughes was the fastest Devil to reach 10 points in a season, doing so in four games back in 2023-24. He won the player of the month for October before a shoulder injury in November ruined his momentum.

NHL players futures

Celebrini over 69.5 points (-112): Celebrini took the NHL by storm as a rookie, tallying 63 points. He could’ve been even more productive if he hadn’t missed 12 games.

If he can play 75-plus games this season, he would naturally see an uptick in scoring even with the same scoring pace.

But I feel like another gear is coming. Celebrini had 31 points over his final 33 games (a 77-point pace over 82 games). That’s pretty impressive for an 18-year-old.

The San Jose Sharks have the second-youngest team in the NHL and were the only club with two players ranked inside the top 10 in rookie scoring.

Celebrini was third, and teammate Will Smith was fourth with 45 points.

There are many reasons for Celebrini to grow, and he’s shown he has the talent to soon be a top player in the league.

Suzuki futures prediction

Suzuki over 80.5 points (-112): The Montreal Canadiens captain had a breakout campaign in 2024-25, scoring 89 points in 82 games.

He’s been an ironman over the past four seasons, playing in every game for the Canadiens.

And Suzuki’s consistently gotten better each year.

  • 2021-22: 61 points
  • 2022-23: 66 points
  • 2023-24: 77 points
  • 2024-25: 89 points

At 26 years old, there’s no reason for him to take a step back this season. He’s in all the right positions to succeed on Montreal’s first line and power-play unit.

Suzuki is at the skill level now where he wouldn’t even need to play 82 games to cash this wager. He did so in 76 games last season.

He also went on a tear down the stretch, tallying 37 points in the final 26 games. That’s an incredible 117-point pace over 82 games.

NHL futures predictions made on Oct. 3, 2025.

NHL 2025 opening week schedule and betting odds: Season kicks off with 3 games, Maple Leafs start Oct. 8

NHL schedule

We’re less than a week away from the opening night of the 2025-26 NHL season.

The latest: The first night of action sees the back-to-back Stanley Cup-champion Florida Panthers host the youthful Chicago Blackhawks as part of a three-game slate. A night later, four Canadian teams play, with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens adding another chapter to their historic rivalry.

Check out the NHL schedule and betting odds for the first week of the season, beginning Oct. 7.

NHL schedule: Opening night notes

  • The defending champs get a lay-up on opening night. Chicago had the fewest points in the Central Division last season and still looks to be in the preliminary stages of a rebuild. Connor Bedard was stagnant in Year 2 but still carries the potential to be a top-five player in the NHL one day.
  • Both the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers are looking for big bounce-back seasons after missing the playoffs in 2024-25. Pittsburgh will want better results while Sidney Crosby is still around, and New York has the seventh-highest cap hit in the NHL. Neither squad can afford another lost season.
  • A pair of first-round exits headline the first night of action. The Colorado Avalanche haven’t won the Central Division since 2022-23, leading to some tough playoff matchups. The Los Angeles Kings overachieved last year but were bounced by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round after finishing second in the Pacific.

Bet on the first week of the NHL season

NHL opening night matchups: Oct. 7

Click on game odds below to bet.

Blackhawks vs. Panthers

Embed: #118610

Penguins vs. Rangers

Embed: #118611

Avalanche vs. Kings

Embed: #118612

NHL schedule and betting notes: Oct. 8

It’s another light slate on Wednesday, with four games on tap. Two of them are all-Canadian matchups.

The Leafs and Canadiens will open their season against one another for the sixth consecutive year. Each contest has been settled by one goal, with Toronto winning three of the five games.

But it was the Canadiens who won last season’s opener, 1-0, behind a stellar 48 saves from Sam Montembeault.

Not to be outdone, we’re also treated to the Battle of Alberta, as the Cup finalist Oilers host the Calgary Flames.

Edmonton has started the past two seasons with a loss, but it’s all or nothing in Connor McDavid’s final year under contract, and the Oilers will be looking to begin with a better result.

Bet on McDavid to win the Hart Trophy

Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs

Embed: #118613

Flames vs. Oilers

Embed: #118614

Opening week NHL matchups

The NHL campaign kicks into high gear on Thursday, with 14 games scheduled before a one-day pause in play ahead of the first Saturday of the season.

Saturday is loaded. All 32 teams are playing and the action starts at 1:30 p.m. ET, running through the night.

Three games are scheduled for 10 p.m., including the one all-Canadian matchup of the day (Vancouver Canucks vs. Oilers).

Earlier in the night, Toronto visits the Detroit Red Wings for its second game of the season.

Toronto Maple Leafs futures odds and predictions for 2025-26 NHL season: Best bets on Auston Matthews, William Nylander and more

Maple Leafs futures

The 2025-26 NHL season is around the corner, and the Toronto Maple Leafs will have a different look after busting up their core four.

Can the Mitch Marner-less Leafs repeat as Atlantic Division winners? Is there any hope for a Stanley Cup in Toronto this season?

Those are some of the questions worth exploring as we dive into Maple Leafs betting markets and make our best futures predictions for the upcoming season.

Maple Leafs futures markets

Check out all Maple Leafs and NHL futures markets. Click linked odds to add selection to your betslip.

Maple Leafs futuresBetting odds
Over 99.5 points+100
Under 99.5 points-125
To reach the playoffs – Yes-360
To reach the playoffs – No+270
To win the Atlantic Division+300
Odds to win Stanley Cup+1,700

Maple Leafs futures odds as of 2:30 p.m. ET on 09/29/2025.

The Atlantic Division should be competitive once again, with the Florida Panthers maintaining their core and the Tampa Bay Lightning remaining strong from top to bottom.

With the departure of Marner, the Leafs hold the third-shortest odds to win the Atlantic behind those two powerhouses.

The Ottawa Senators, who have loads of young talent and are expected to improve after making the playoffs in 2024-25, are behind the Leafs.

  • Lightning: +200
  • Panthers: +225
  • Maple Leafs: +300
  • Senators: +650
  • Canadiens: +1,400

Toronto is coming off a 53-26-4 season and managed to retain most of its roster with some big cuts to the payroll.

Bet on NHL futures

Maple Leafs futures prediction

Embed: #118542

Best bet: Over 99.5 points (+100)

A lot went right for Toronto last season. The result was 108 points and the team’s first Atlantic Division title.

Repeating that will be difficult, as will replacing Marner’s 102-point season. But a handful of more games from captain Auston Matthews would help.

Matthews missed 15 games with an injury and was quiet in Toronto’s seven-game series loss to the Panthers.

Matthew Knies taking another step would also be crucial. He had a career-high 58 points last season as a 22-year-old.

The defence is still solid with elite goaltending standing behind them. Anthony Stolarz had the best save percentage (.926) in the NHL.

Because of that, Toronto boasted a top-10 defence, allowing the sixth-fewest goals against per game (2.79).

That should be the case again this season, while Matthews, Knies, William Nylander and John Tavares are enough to give the Leafs immense offensive upside.

Maple Leafs futures markets: Player props

Best betsOdds
Nylander over 83.5 points-112
Matthews over 44.5 goals-130

Prediction: Nylander over 83.5 points (-112)

Nylander led the Leafs with 45 goals last season but had his fewest assists (39) since 2020-21.

The year before last, he had a career-high 58 assists and 98 points. With Marner leaving, the extra production will be needed.

Nylander had just 16 secondary assists last season, tied for 75th in the NHL and the same amount as Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Based on how much of the offence flows through the winger, this is an indication of some bad luck.

Even though he didn’t rack up as many points as expected last season, Nylander still cleared this mark, and there’s no reason to think more production isn’t coming.

Matthews futures prop bet

Prediction: Matthews over 44.5 goals (-130)

Matthews had a bad offensive year by his standards.

His 33 goals were the fewest he’s ever had, but some things were working against him.

  • Beyond the injuries, Matthews dealt with bad luck, plain and simple. According to MoneyPuck, he led the NHL with 41.1 expected goals.
  • For reference, Leon Draisaitl led the league with 52 goals but had significantly less xG (31.4).

Surprisingly, Matthews is only 3-3 against this wager over his past six seasons, but he did score 60 twice, demonstrating his ceiling smashes this line.

The 28-year-old ranked in the 98th percentile for shots on goal last season (261) but had a below-average 12.6 shooting percentage.

Matthews will continue to shoot the puck at an alarming rate, and there’s a lot that can be improved on. That’s why I’m buying in on the bounce back.

Maple Leafs futures markets as of 3:30 p.m. on 09/29/2025.

2025 NHL draft odds and projected lottery picks: Matthew Schaefer is the consensus No. 1 selection

2025 NHL draft odds

The 2025 NHL draft starts on Friday, and Matthew Schaefer has emerged as the consensus No. 1 pick.

The latest: The New York Islanders entered the draft lottery with a 3.5% chance of selecting first overall, and now they have the opportunity to select Schaefer. The Erie Otters’ defenceman slots in ahead of Michael Misa, who is projected to go second to the San Jose Sharks.

Here are the latest 2025 NHL draft odds for the first overall pick and more.

2025 NHL draft odds

Check out the latest odds for who will be the first player drafted. Click odds to add selection to betslip.

PlayerOdds to go first overallOdds to go secondOdds to go third
Matthew Schaefer-5,000+2,500N/A
Michael Misa+1,150-455+300
Anton Frondell+3,000+250-286
Caleb Desnoyers+5,000+2,500+1,000
James Hagens+5,000+5,000+2,500
Porter Martone+7,500+4,000+1,300
Brady MartinN/A+5,000+2,000
Jake O’BrienN/A+5,000+5,000

2025 NHL draft odds as of 06/26/2025 at 10:30 a.m.

Best 2025 NHL draft odds

The favourite: Schaefer (-10,000)

Schaefer only played 17 games for the Otters this year, after battling mononucleosis at the beginning of the season and then breaking his collarbone with Canada at the World Junior Championships.

But the scouts saw all they needed to see.

He had seven goals and 22 points in those contests and is praised for his skill, size, speed, maturity and hockey IQ.

Top-line defencemen who are 6-foot-2 don’t grow on trees in the NHL. The Islanders are surely thrilled with the opportunity to add Schaefer to a rebuilding core.

The favourite to go second overall: Misa (-455)

Misa was just the eighth player ever to be granted exceptional player status to enter the OHL early. He didn’t disappoint.

The dynamic centre scored 62 goals and logged 134 points in 64 games for the Saginaw Spirit this year. That tied Patrick Kane for the most goals in a draft-eligible season.

Hailing from Oakville, Ontario, he would slot into a top-six role on San Jose behind Macklin Celebrini.

If you’re building a team from the studs, having centres like that is a great place to start.

Other draft odds

PlayerOdds to go fourthOdds to go fifth
Caleb Desnoyers-162+300
Brady Martin+275+400
Porter Martone+550+205
James Hagens+850+250
Anton Frondell+1,300+3,500
Jake O’Brien+2,500+1,300
Roger McQueen+4,000+1,300
Michael Misa+5,000+5,000

2025 NHL draft odds as of 06/26/2025 at 10:30 a.m.
  • Frondell is projected to go third overall. The Swedish centre already has two years of pro hockey under his belt, logging 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) in 29 regular-season games with Djurgarden. Frondell helped his team earn a promotion to the Swedish Hockey League for next season.
  • Desnoyers had himself a year with the Moncton Wildcats in the QMJHL. He led the team in points (84), was second in goals (35) and helped the Wildcats secure the league championship.
  • Who goes fourth or fifth is anyone’s bet, but Brady Martin — another centre — has turned heads after a solid year (33 goals, 39 assists) with the Soo Greyhounds. Porter Martone, a winger with the Brampton Steelheads, is another solid option after finishing the season with 37 goals and 98 points.

Oilers vs. Panthers Stanley Cup Final Game 6 SGP predictions: Back Leon Draisaitl to score at +440

Oilers vs. Panthers predictions

The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers meet for a potentially series-deciding Game 6 on Tuesday.

The pregame narrative: Florida is one win away from defending its Stanley Cup title and reaching dynasty status. Edmonton, meanwhile, must buckle down defensively to stave off elimination after giving up 23 goals through the first five games.

Check out my Oilers vs. Panthers SGP predictions, featuring Leon Draisaitl and Brad Marchand.

Oilers vs. Panthers predictions

Parlay: Oilers +2.5 | Draisaitl to score | Marchand 1+ points (+440)

Oilers +2.5 (-315): I can’t picture the Oilers going down without a fight.

Sure, Edmonton has failed to cover this line in two of five games this series. But we have to remember it was 14-2 against a +1.5 line before then.

And during the playoffs, Kris Knoblauch’s group has responded to all three of its multi-goal losses with a victory while averaging 5.0 goals per game. That includes a 5-4 win over the Panthers in Game 4.

The Oilers are very familiar with adversity, having erased a 3-0 deficit in the Cup Final last year to force Game 7. This will be a dog fight.

Embed: #114891

NHL SGP legs

Draisaitl to score (+120): Draisaitl has always been an elite playoff performer, but he’s taken things to another level this year.

The winger has scored an NHL record four overtime goals this postseason, and two of those have come in the Stanley Cup Final.

Overall, he’s buried 11 playoff goals and has four through five games against the Panthers. Draisaitl sits ninth all-time in playoff goals per game (.547), right ahead of Pavel Bure.

Edmonton is likely to deploy its “nuclear option” heavily evening, pairing Draisaitl with Connor McDavid. I expect fireworks whenever those two are getting heavy minutes together.

Marchand 1+ points (-124): Marchand is one win away from cementing himself as the greatest deadline acquisition ever. Perhaps I’m getting caught up in the moment, but the numbers don’t lie.

  • 10 goals (third-most in playoffs)
  • 20 points (seventh-most in playoffs)
  • +18 (best in playoffs)

And he’s doing all of that at 37 years old.

Marchand has scored five goals in the Cup Final and is leading all Panthers with 22 shots on goal this series. He also ranks second in xG (2.18) and high-danger chances (eight).

Oilers vs. Panthers predictions made at 10:04 a.m. ET 06/17/2025.

Oilers vs. Panthers Stanley Cup Final best bets Game 6: Bet on a hot start, Evan Bouchard to let it fly

Oilers vs. Panthers best bets

The Stanley Cup will be present for Game 6 when the Florida Panthers host the Edmonton Oilers.

The pregame narrative: Florida is one win away from establishing itself as a dynasty after a suffocating win in Edmonton on Saturday night. The Panthers have started every game hot and are favoured to win at home on Tuesday.

Check out my Oilers vs. Panthers best bets for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, featuring Evan Bouchard.

Oilers vs. Panthers best bets

Best Bet: Bouchard over 3.5 shots (+115)

Edmonton can’t afford to look for the perfect play at this point in the series.

Firing pucks on the net and applying relentless pressure should be the game plan, and Bouchard epitomizes that style of play.

  • The Oilers’ defenceman has a series-leading 30 shots (6.0/game).
  • Bouchard is 3-2 against this line, with at least three shots in every game.
  • He is leading all skaters in the Stanley Cup Final in ice time (151:36).

Bouchard blew by this total in Games 1-3, logging seven, eight and nine shots on goal before putting three on net in each of the last two outings.

His recent form doesn’t dissuade me, though, considering he still logged 14 chances (i.e shot attempts) in those games.

Key stat: Bouchard has 55 chances this series, per Natural Stat Trick. That is 20 more than the next closest player, Brad Marchand.

Stanley Cup Final Game 6 picks

Over 1.5 first-period goals (-143): Florida is the toughest team in the NHL to mount a comeback against, and Edmonton hasn’t made its life easy with the way it’s starting games.

The Panthers have 11 first-period goals this series, scoring at least two in every game and cashing this bet on their own.

I expect Florida to come out flying, given Edmonton’s goaltender controversy. Stuart Skinner was pulled from the net in Game 5, and Calvin Pickard was shelled in Game 6, allowing four goals on 18 shots.

And we all know how dynamite the Oilers’ offence can be when they’re clicking. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl should make their presence felt with their season on the line.

Oilers vs. Panthers best bets made at 1:37 p.m. ET 06/15/2025.

Oilers vs. Panthers Stanley Cup Final best bets Game 6: Back Florida to start hot, Evan Bouchard to let it fly

Oilers vs. Panthers best bets

The Stanley Cup will be present for Game 6 when the Florida Panthers host the Edmonton Oilers.

The pregame narrative: Florida is one win away from establishing itself as a dynasty after a suffocating win in Edmonton on Saturday night. The Panthers have started every game hot and are favoured to win at home on Tuesday.

Check out my Oilers vs. Panthers best bets for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, featuring Evan Bouchard.

Oilers vs. Panthers best bets

Best Bet: Bouchard over 3.5 shots (+130)

Edmonton can’t afford to look for the perfect play at this point in the series.

Firing pucks on the net and applying relentless pressure should be the game plan, and Bouchard epitomizes that style of play.

  • The Oilers’ defenceman has a series-leading 30 shots (6.0/game).
  • Bouchard is 3-2 against this line, with at least three shots in every game.
  • He is leading all skaters in the Stanley Cup Final in ice time (151:36).

Bouchard blew by this total in Games 1-3, logging seven, eight and nine shots on goal before putting three on net in each of the last two outings.

His recent form doesn’t dissuade me, though, considering he still logged 14 chances (i.e shot attempts) in those games.

Key stat: Bouchard has 55 chances this series, per Natural Stat Trick. That is 20 more than the next closest player, Brad Marchand.

Embed: #114852

Stanley Cup Final Game 6 picks

Panthers over 1 first-period goals (+130): Florida is the toughest team in the NHL to mount a comeback against, and Edmonton hasn’t made its life easy with the way it’s starting games.

The Panthers have 11 first-period goals this series, scoring at least two in every game.

This bet would push if Florida were to score just one first-period goal on Tuesday, resulting in the stake being returned. Given how hot the Panthers have started, I’m all over this plus-money value for them to score a pair with that safety net.

Edmonton has a legitimate goaltender controversy in the season’s dying days.

Stuart Skinner was pulled from the net in Game 5, and Calvin Pickard was shelled in Game 6, allowing four goals on 18 shots.

I don’t trust either netminder to stand tall under the bright lights, especially with how many penalties the Oilers have been taking.

Oilers vs. Panthers best bets made at 1:37 p.m. ET 06/15/2025.

Panthers vs. Oilers Stanley Cup Final Game 5 SGP predictions: Back Sam Bennett to score at +325

Panthers vs. Oilers predictions

It’s crunch time in the Stanley Cup Final, as the series is now a best-of-three with the Edmonton Oilers having home ice advantage.

The pregame narrative: Saturday’s Game 5 at Rogers Place is a pick’em, which makes sense, considering how tightly contested this series has been. The Florida Panthers have been dynamite on the road these playoffs and look to take advantage of a goaltender controversy on the other end.

Check out my Panthers vs. Oilers SGP predictions, featuring Leon Draisaitl and Sam Bennett.

Panthers vs. Oilers predictions

Parlay: Panthers +1.5 | Bennett to score | Draisaitl 1+ points (+320)

Panthers +1.5 (-275): Florida has to be feeling good about where it’s at despite losing Game 4 in overtime.

  • The reigning champs are 9-3 on the road this postseason, averaging 4.66 goals in those contests.
  • The Panthers are 5-1 following a loss in the playoffs, allowing an average of 2.8 goals in those contests.

Edmonton is at its best on home ice, but nothing comes easy against Florida. Paul Maurice’s group has covered a +1.5 puck line in all 12 road games and has only lost in regulation once in its last 10.

Also, how can you not feel better about the Panthers’ goaltending situation?

Stuart Skinner was pulled in Game 4, and it’s unclear whether he or Calvin Pickard will start on Saturday.

Sergei Bobrovsky, meanwhile, hasn’t been at his best, but he’s still a two-time Vezina winner with a Stanley Cup pedigree. I expect him to be sharp and for Florida to keep this close.

Embed: #114801

NHL SGP legs

Bennett to score (+155): Bennett is favoured to win the Conn Smythe Trophy thanks to his elite production on the road.

The second-line centre leads the Panthers in road goals (12) and points (15) in the playoffs and has scored in five straight road games.

Overall, he’s 10-2 vs. this prop away from Amerant Bank Arena.

Bennett paces Florida in shots (48), chances (92), scoring chances (54), and xG (5.41) this postseason, according to Natural Stat Trick.

To me, it doesn’t matter if Skinner or Pickard starts. I expect Bennett to be a pest in front of the net and make noise yet again.

Draisaitl 1+ points (-455): There’s no such thing as a “free” leg in sports betting, but backing Draisaitl to record a point feels pretty safe.

  • Draisaitl has 32 points this postseason and has found the stat sheet in 17 of 20 games.
  • He ranks fifth all-time in playoff points per game (1.489), just behind McDavid.
  • The German winger has three straight multi-point games at Rogers Place.

Edmonton’s power play has been cooking, and Draisaitl has been at the forefront of it all with a PP point in eight of his last nine games. He should make an impact tonight.

Panthers vs. Oilers predictions made at 11:02 a.m. ET 06/14/2025.

Betting odds to win the Conn Smythe Trophy: Sam Bennett is the odds-on favourite

Conn Smythe odds

The Florida Panthers are one win away from repeating as Stanley Cup champions, and their top scorer is the frontrunner for the Conn Smythe Trophy.

The latest: Sam Bennett has scored a ton of big goals in the playoffs and hasn’t looked back since overtaking Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid in this awards market after Game 3. In fact, McDavid now sits tied for third behind Brad Marchand.

Let’s take a look at the current 2025 Conn Smythe odds ahead of Game 5 on June 14.

Conn Smythe odds

The favourite: Sam Bennett (-215)

Bennett leads the Stanley Cup playoffs in goals (15) while scoring five times so far through five Stanley Cup Final games. And an incredible 13 of those goals have come on the road.

With a blend of scoring touch and grit, Bennett is making an impact on both ends of the ice.

He’s second among all playoff performers in scoring chances (79) and hits (103).

Bennett’s 22.7% shooting percentage would almost certainly be unsustainable over a full season, but he’s cashing in on his chances when it matters most.

And it’s not like he’s been completely lucky. He ranks second in expected goals (9.72), per Natural Stat Trick.

The 15-goal total is the obvious headliner for Bennett’s Conn Smythe case, but his overall generation of offence — plus his peskiness on defence — make him a well-rounded candidate.

Does McDavid have value?

Last year, McDavid finished with 42 points in postseason play — 10 more than the next closest skater. That included 11 points in the Cup Final against the Panthers.

That was why he won the Conn Smythe despite being on the losing team, something that hadn’t happened since 2003.

Looking at his advanced stats in the 2025 postseason, McDavid’s dominance is made even clearer:

  • 1st in individual expected goals (11.89)
  • 1st in individual scoring chances (95)
  • T-1st in points (33)

McDavid scored his first goal of the Stanley Cup Final in Game 5 but that was just his second point in the last three games.

His teammate, Leon Draisaitl, is tied on the odds board and ranks second in playoff goals (11), four of which have come in overtime.

Embed: #114305

Go to full Stanley Cup Final betting markets

Conn Smythe notes

  • Marchand has been aging like a fine wine. He has 10 playoff goals, and became the second player in the last 50 years to score five goals in two different Stanley Cup finals, joining Mario Lemieux. If Florida wins, he will go down as one of the greatest deadline acquisitions of all time.