NHL Betting: Season Resumes After Olympic Break As Playoff Races Heat Up

With the Winter Olympics officially over, the NHL regular season returns on Wednesday as teams shift focus toward the stretch run and the race for the Stanley Cup.

The Olympic break gave fans a global showcase of elite talent that included Team USA winning the gold medal. But now attention turns back to divisional battles, trade deadline positioning, and postseason seeding. For some fans, NHL betting will also be in the mix.

Several contenders return with momentum — and perhaps a few bumps and bruises — after Olympic play. For teams in tight playoff races, the coming weeks will be critical in securing home-ice advantage and who is left fighting for a Wild Card spot.

Teams to Watch

The Colorado Avalanche remain one of the most dangerous teams in the Western Conference. With Nathan MacKinnon playing at an MVP-caliber pace and Cale Makar anchoring the blue line, Colorado has the depth and speed to make another deep run. The team’s power play continues to rank among the league’s most efficient.

The Florida Panthers, Stanley Cup champions over the last two season, are once again positioned near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Led by Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, Florida’s physical style and playoff-tested core make them a favorite to contend again.

The Edmonton Oilers also demand attention. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl continue to lead one of the NHL’s most explosive offenses. If the goaltending stabilizes down the stretch, Edmonton could be a serious threat in the West.

Other contenders to watch include the Boston Bruins, boasting one of the league’s stingiest defensive units, and the Dallas Stars, whose balanced scoring and reliable goaltending give the team postseason upside.

Players to Watch

McDavid remains the face of the league and a perennial Hart Trophy candidate. His speed and playmaking are unmatched, and he continues to lead the league in points.

MacKinnon is another MVP frontrunner, combining power and precision in Colorado’s high-tempo system. Meanwhile, Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning continues to quietly put up elite offensive numbers and could surge late in the season.

On the blue line, Cale Makar remains one of hockey’s most dynamic defensemen, contributing heavily on both ends of the ice.

Stanley Cup Odds – FanDuel (Top 10)

As the season resumes, here are the current approximate FanDuel futures odds for the Stanley Cup:

1. Colorado Avalanche +600
2. Florida Panthers +700
3. Edmonton Oilers +750
4. Dallas Stars +900
5. Boston Bruins +1000
6. Carolina Hurricanes +1100
7. New York Rangers +1200
8. Vegas Golden Knights +1400
9. Toronto Maple Leafs +1600
10. Tampa Bay Lightning +1800

Lower odds indicate stronger favorites, with Colorado currently holding the edge according to the betting market.

Hart Trophy (MVP) Odds – FanDuel Top Five

The MVP race remains tight as well. Here are the leading Hart Trophy contenders:

1. Connor McDavid (EDM) +300
2. Nathan MacKinnon (COL) +350
3. Nikita Kucherov (TBL) +600
4. David Pastrnak (BOS) +900
5. Auston Matthews (TOR) +1000

Stretch Run Begins

As NHL arenas fill back up following the Olympic spotlight, every point in the standings now carries added weight. Playoff positioning, divisional titles, and individual awards are all on the line.

With elite talent across the league and betting markets tightening, the final push toward the Stanley Cup promises plenty of drama and intensity.