Eastern Conference Favorites and Leading Contenders
The Carolina Hurricanes (+325) lead the Eastern Conference futures market after winning the 2026 Stanley Cup and opening the season 12–3–2. Carolina ranks among the NHL’s best in scoring (3.76 goals per game) and defense (2.35 allowed), producing a league-leading +24 goal differential despite injuries to key players.
The Florida Panthers (+500) are looking to return to the playoffs after winning three consecutive Eastern Conference titles. Florida opened 9–5–2, averaging 3.25 goals while allowing 2.94 per game. The Panthers have an 84.6% penalty kill, but a modest +5 goal differential. Injuries to Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand remain major concerns.
The New Jersey Devils (+550) have emerged as serious contenders with a 10–5–0 record and +9 goal differential. New Jersey averages 3.47 goals per game while allowing 2.87, although its 67.7% penalty kill is a significant weakness. The acquisition of three-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck strengthens the Devils’ goaltending.
The Tampa Bay Lightning (+650) opened 9–3–2, averaging 3.71 goals per game behind Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point and Jake Guentzel. Tampa Bay has also won its first seven home games, but its defense allows 3.21 goals per game, and a 76.9% penalty kill remains a concern.
The Washington Capitals (+850) have struggled to find consistency, opening 8–6–0 with a +1 goal differential. Washington averages a respectable 3.50 goals per game but allows 3.43, highlighting its defensive weaknesses.
The Montreal Canadiens (+1200) have built on last season’s Eastern Conference Final appearance with a 9–3–3 start and 21 points. Montreal averages 3.47 goals per game but allows 3.13, while its 13.0% power play has struggled.
Eastern Conference Odds Movement: What’s Changed This Season?
New Jersey has climbed in the Eastern Conference futures market from +1200 to +550 following its acquisition of three-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck. Carolina also gained ground in October, moving from +392 to +346 in early November. Florida went in the opposite direction, drifting from +358 to +431 over the same period as injuries hindered the team’s top lines.
Washington’s conference futures odds shortened from +1188 to +740 during the preseason, but an inconsistent start has pushed the Capitals back to +850. Tampa Bay moved from +600 to +650, Montreal from +1000 to +1200, and Boston from +4500 to +1600, making the Bruins one of the biggest movers in the futures market.
Buffalo slipped from +1700 to +1900 before shortening to +1600. The Sabres are now +1800, reflecting their inconsistent play over the early stages of the season.
Western Conference Favorites and Leading Contenders
The Colorado Avalanche (+365) are tied for the top spot as the Western Conference favorites after finishing last season with an NHL-leading 121 points. Colorado opened 9–6–1, averaging 4.13 goals per game, but its defense has allowed 3.31 per contest. Despite a +13 goal differential, defensive inconsistency remains a concern following last season’s Conference Final elimination.
The Edmonton Oilers (+365) have strengthened their championship outlook with an 11–2–3 start and +19 goal differential. Edmonton averages 4.19 goals per game and boasts a 33.9% power play, but its 73.9% penalty kill remains a significant weakness. The Oilers are seeking their third Stanley Cup Final appearance in four seasons.
The Vegas Golden Knights (+425) remain among the Western Conference favorites after winning last season’s conference championship. Vegas opened 10–5–2 with a +9 goal differential, supported by Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner and Mark Stone.
The Minnesota Wild (+525) have emerged as strong Central Division contenders with an 11–3–3 start and +18 goal differential. Minnesota has allowed just 2.24 goals per game, complementing an exciting offense led by Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy.
The Dallas Stars (+725) remain contenders after opening 9–5–1 with a +8 goal differential. Dallas has allowed just 2.40 goals per game and features an impressive 90.0% penalty kill. The Stars are looking to return to the Conference Final after last season’s first-round exit. Miro Heiskanen’s injury raises concerns about their defensive depth.
The Utah Mammoth (+850) have opened 10–6–0, averaging 3.56 goals per game behind Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther. Utah’s 36.4% power play has been a major strength, but its 3.38 goals allowed per game and 70.0% penalty kill highlight significant defensive weaknesses.
Western Conference Odds Movement: What’s Changed This Season?
Colorado opened near +338 and shortened to +326 before drifting to +365 following an inconsistent start. Edmonton has shortened from +511 to +365 following its impressive start to the season. Vegas has also shortened from +531 to +425, keeping the defending Western Conference champions among the leading contenders.
Other contenders have also seen their odds shorten: Minnesota from +638 to +525, Dallas from +800 to +725, and Utah from +1200 to +850. Winnipeg has experienced the largest decline in market standing, with its odds lengthening from +2875 to +4920 before reaching a current price of +8000.
Key Factors Influencing Eastern & Western Conference Odds
Injuries, goaltending, special teams, roster changes and playoff positioning could significantly shift NHL conference championship futures throughout the year. Here are key factors to monitor in NHL betting throughout the season:
Goaltending and Starting Goalie Health
Goaltending can significantly influence conference futures odds, particularly when teams face injuries or uncertainty in net. New Jersey’s acquisition of Connor Hellebuyck coincided with its odds shortening from +1220 to +600, while Carolina’s strong goaltending has helped support its position as the Eastern Conference favorite at +325.
Edmonton’s unsettled goalie rotation remains a concern despite its +365 odds, while injuries to Minnesota’s Filip Gustavsson, Montreal’s Sam Montembeault and Ottawa’s Linus Ullmark create additional uncertainty. Continued absences or poor replacement performances could push those teams’ conference odds higher, while a healthy, productive starter could strengthen their championship outlook.
Team Defense and Special Teams
Carolina and Minnesota have been among the NHL’s strongest defensive teams, allowing just 2.35 and 2.24 goals per game, respectively. Their defensive consistency helps support their conference championship odds.
Edmonton (33.9%) and Utah (36.4%) have excelled on the power play but struggled on the penalty kill, successfully killing just 73.9% and 70.0% of their penalties, respectively. Ottawa has struggled in both areas, with a 12.5% power play and 72.9% penalty kill.
Strong defense can help sustain shorter futures odds, while poor penalty killing and inconsistent special teams could cause prices to shift as the playoffs approach.
Five-on-Five Performance and Scoring Chances
Five-on-five performance can reveal strengths and weaknesses that overall scoring and special-teams statistics might overlook. Expected goals percentage (xG%), five-on-five goal differential and high-danger scoring chances help measure how consistently teams create quality opportunities while limiting opponents’ chances.
A contender winning games despite poor five-on-five numbers could see its conference futures odds lengthen if those weaknesses begin producing losses. Conversely, teams consistently controlling scoring chances may offer better value than their current records suggest.
Injuries and Star Player Availability
Injuries to key players can weaken a team’s championship chances and cause its futures odds to lengthen. Florida has been without Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand, while Carolina has missed Jordan Staal. Montreal has also dealt with injuries to Nick Suzuki, Ivan Demidov and Mike Matheson. In the West, Minnesota has faced injuries to defensemen Brock Faber and Jared Spurgeon, while Dallas is monitoring Miro Heiskanen.
Teams with strong farm systems can limit the impact of injuries by calling up NHL-ready prospects. However, replacing an established star’s production is harder than filling a roster spot. Contenders with strong organizational depth can maintain shorter futures odds, while teams unable to replace injured contributors could see their prices lengthen.
NHL Trade Deadline and Roster Moves
The NHL trade deadline could reshape both conference futures markets as contenders address weaknesses in scoring, defense and goaltending. Edmonton and Buffalo could benefit from greater goaltending stability, while teams dealing with significant injuries may seek additional depth. Major acquisitions could improve a contender’s playoff chances and conference odds, as already seen with New Jersey.
Recent Eastern and Western Conference Championship Winners
The past decade of NHL conference championships has featured several repeat winners and unexpected playoff runs. Here’s a look at the Eastern and Western Conference champions from 2017 through 2026, including their regular-season playoff positions.
| NHL Season |
Eastern Champion |
Western Champion |
| 2025–26 |
Carolina Hurricanes (Metropolitan 1) |
Vegas Golden Knights (Pacific 1) |
| 2024–25 |
Florida Panthers (Atlantic 3) |
Edmonton Oilers (Pacific 3) |
| 2023–24 |
Florida Panthers (Atlantic 1) |
Edmonton Oilers (Pacific 2) |
| 2022–23 |
Florida Panthers (Wild Card 2) |
Vegas Golden Knights (Pacific 1) |
| 2021–22 |
Tampa Bay Lightning (Atlantic 3) |
Colorado Avalanche (Central 1) |
| 2020–21 |
Tampa Bay Lightning (Central 3) |
Montreal Canadiens (North 4)* |
| 2019–20 |
Tampa Bay Lightning (Atlantic 2) |
Dallas Stars (Central 3)** |
| 2018–19 |
Boston Bruins (Atlantic 2) |
St. Louis Blues (Central 3) |
| 2017–18 |
Washington Capitals (Metropolitan 1) |
Vegas Golden Knights (Pacific 1) |
| 2016–17 |
Pittsburgh Penguins (Metropolitan 2) |
Nashville Predators (Wild Card 2) |
*The 2020–21 NHL season featured temporary divisional realignment. Montreal, normally an Eastern Conference team, won the Campbell Bowl after advancing through the Stanley Cup Semifinals.
**The 2019–20 playoffs used a modified 24-team format, including qualifying rounds and round-robin games to determine seeding.
Recent conference championship results highlight the success of repeat contenders. Tampa Bay won three consecutive Eastern Conference titles from 2020–2022, followed by Florida’s three straight championships from 2023–2025.
Vegas has reached the Stanley Cup Final three times since 2018, while Edmonton made consecutive appearances in 2024 and 2025. Nashville (2017) and Vegas (2018) were the only franchises to capture their first conference championships during the last decade.
NHL Conference Championship Trends
A look at past NHL conference champions shows which teams have dominated the East and West, while also revealing several trends beyond just playoff seeding.
Eastern Conference Championship Trends
Stanley Cup Wins: Eastern Conference teams have captured three consecutive Stanley Cups (2024–2026) and seven of the last 10 overall.
Atlantic Division Dominance: Atlantic Division franchises won seven consecutive Eastern Conference championships from 2019–2025. Boston started the streak, followed by Tampa Bay’s three straight titles and Florida’s three straight titles. Carolina ended that run in 2026.
Top Divisional Seeds: Six of the last 10 Eastern champions finished first or second in their divisions.
Eastern Conference Regular-Season Leaders: Carolina (2026) is the only team in the last 10 seasons to finish with the most points in the East and subsequently win the conference championship.
Western Conference Championship Trends
Pacific Division Dominance: The Pacific Division has produced four consecutive Western Conference champions (2023–2026). Vegas won in 2023 and 2026, while Edmonton captured back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025.
Vegas’ Postseason Success: The Golden Knights have reached three Stanley Cup Finals since entering the NHL in 2017–18. Vegas won the championship in 2023 and returned to the Final in 2026.
Western Conference Regular-Season Leaders: Only two Western Conference points leaders have reached the Stanley Cup Final in the last decade: Colorado (2022) and Vegas (2023).
