Gamblers World 2025 Stanley Cup Conference Semifinals Previews and Picks
What an exciting conclusion to Round 1 as #1 overall seed Winnipeg scored twice in the last 116 seconds to force an OT versus St. Louis and beat them in the second extra period. Oddly, for the first time in this writer’s memory, all four teams in this round with the home ice advantage are underdogs. Will any of them beat the odds?
2025 Stanley Cup – Odds to Win (from Betonline)
Florida Panthers +425 Dallas Stars +425
Carolina Hurricanes +525 Edmonton Oilers +550
Vegas Golden Knights +650 Toronto Maple Leafs +750
Winnipeg Jets +1000 Washington Capitals +1000
Here is a complete breakdown of all four series.
Eastern Conference Semifinals
A3 Florida (-175 odds) vs. A1 Toronto (+161 odds)
Florida is the defending Stanley Cup champions, and they are seeking a third consecutive trip to The Finals, thus, they get
the nod in the series. The Panthers also won three of four meetings with Toronto. The Maple Leafs had to overcome themselves this time of year, losing 4-0 at home to Ottawa when they had a chance to wrap up the series at home. Toronto came up big in Game 6 on the road with two goals late in the third period. The Leafs need to use their speed to avoid big collisions with the more physical Panthers, who like to wear down opponents over a series with body blows. Toronto has to use its speed and hope its power play stays hot (6-for-19 last series) because Florida will take dumb penalties. Austin Matthews and company have to use their speed to break down Florida bluelines and make accurate passes to set up shot attempts. In net, Toronto’s Anthony Stolarz has to match saves with Florida’s goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and win the special teams battle. The Maple Leafs know the task; can they execute it and win special teams? If so, Toronto has a shot. But in the end, too much toughness has Florida emerging the winner.
M2 Carolina (-182) vs. M1 Washington (+159)
By the numbers, Carolina is the biggest favorite of this round. This despite finishing a dozen points behind Washington in the Metropolitan Division. These teams are very familiar with each other, but have not met in the postseason since 2019, with Carolina winning. Offensively, the Hurricanes pepper the net with the second-most shots in the league, while a more selective approach is deployed by the Capitals at #22. Defensively, the two play very similarly, attempting to protect their goaltender and seeking to generate miscues that can lead to odd-man rushes or quality shots. The home team won all four meetings, and each squad lost just nine games at home in regulation (Caps 6 OT losses, Canes just one). Carolina’s Frederick Anderson is probably the more talented goalie over Logan Thompson, yet he’s also an injury waiting to happen. For whatever reason, Carolina’s been expected to win the Cup for several years and always comes up short. Washington in seven.
Western Conference Semifinals
P3 Edmonton (-111) vs. P1 Vegas (-109)
Based on the odds, this couldn’t be a more even series. Vegas would get a Game 7 at home if the series reached that point. Edmonton feeds off the energy and skill of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. They bring the other Oilers along with them, making Edmonton the most dangerous team in the league when it comes to skating and creating scoring chances out of thin air. However, in this series, the Oilers will have to play 60 minutes or more, unlike what they often did in the Los Angeles series. Vegas is too talented and buttoned down to let blue and orange do whatever they please. When you think of Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and William Karlsson for the Golden Knights, they are all versatile, shifting gears to help the team do what it needs in both zones. Vegas is the stronger defensive squad (#3 vs. #14), but netminder Aiden Hill had only an 88% save percentage against Minnesota, and he can be vulnerable. Calvin Pickard was 4-0 against L.A. and did what was necessary between the pipes. It seems two outcomes are possible: the Oilers in 6 or VGK in 7, and we’ll side with the former, just barely.
C2 Dallas (-172) vs. C1 Winnipeg (+151)
The oddsmakers were less than impressed with Winnipeg having the most points and winning the Presidents’ Trophy. They were only the #10 choice to win the Stanley Cup before the tournament started, according to the odds, and the Jets needed a miracle regulation finish and OT to hold off St. Louis. Dallas enters as a big favorite after their compelling win over Colorado. Maybe the Stars are that much better than the Jets, but the thought process here is that Winnipeg and goalie Connor Hellebuyck overcame personal demons and gained confidence. The Jets won three of four over Dallas this campaign, and all four contests were determined by at least two goals. Winnipeg is a sterling 34-11 at home, and Dallas has lost seven straight Game 1 playoff battles, which could further boost the Jets’ confidence. Make it Winnipeg in seven.
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