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The Carolina Hurricanes are slight favorites to win the NHL Stanley Cup against the Vegas Golden Knights, but the betting market reflects a closely contested series. With odds as tight as -149 for Carolina and +125 for Vegas at BetMGM, bettors are divided on who will emerge victorious.
At DraftKings, the Hurricanes are priced at -150 to win the series, while the Golden Knights are +130. The Golden Knights have drawn significant betting interest, with 58% of the handle and 68% of the bets placed on them. Their recent playoff success, including three Stanley Cup Final appearances since their 2017-18 expansion and a championship win in 2023, has made them a betting favorite.
“It’s going to be a great betting series,” said Johnny Avello, Director of Race and Sports Operations for DraftKings. However, he emphasized the difficulty in handicapping the series, noting that Carolina’s defense and Vegas’ offense could both play pivotal roles.
“This is a really tough series to handicap. Edge might go to Carolina and defense. Or the edge might go to Vegas and offense. I think that (Vegas) price is very attractive to bettors.”
The Golden Knights feature a deep roster, including stars like Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, and Mark Stone, who are currently the shortest odds to win the Conn Smythe Trophy at +155. Their recent upset of the Colorado Avalanche in the playoffs has only added to their appeal. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes, who defeated the Montreal Canadiens in five games, bring a strong defensive presence to the series.
Player props are also generating interest, with Carter Hart’s over 28.5 saves at -120 and Mark Stone receiving significant attention. Andrei Svechnikov of the Hurricanes is also a popular pick in scoring markets, according to Tonybet.
Despite the Golden Knights’ popularity, DraftKings reports that they are not facing the same level of liability as in past years. Karry Shreeve, Head of Hockey at Caesars Sportsbook, noted that while Vegas is competitive, they lack the same level of public support as teams like the Edmonton Oilers, who have dominated recent Cup discussions.
