Colorado Avalanche stride into the playoffs as the bookmakers' top pick, listed at +300 to capture the Stanley Cup. The club eyes a rare President's Trophy‑Stanley Cup double, a feat not achieved since 2013. Analysts cite the Avs' league‑best record and seasoned core as the foundation of their favorite status.

Behind the odds, Caesars’ lead trader points to solid power‑rating metrics for Colorado, Carolina and Tampa Bay, while the Vegas Golden Knights sit at 10‑1 despite a late‑season surge under John Tortorella. The betting format, he says, simplifies path projections, allowing sportsbooks to set clear lines.

Buffalo Sabres, fresh off a 14‑year playoff drought and an Atlantic Division crown, now sit at +14‑1 on DraftKings, a dramatic rise from 150‑1 preseason odds. Their surge has drawn a hefty share of public wagers, creating liability for books that hesitate to trim odds quickly. As a result, Sabres tickets dominate BetMGM’s Eastern Conference market.