For the 2026/27 NHL season, the Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, and defending champions, the Carolina Hurricanes, are considered the favorites for the Stanley Cup. In this OlyBlog article, we take a look at the top contenders, potential dark horses, key season bets, and important dates.
When does the 2026/27 NHL season start?
The new NHL season begins in the early morning of September 30th (Baltic time).
This season, every team will play 84 games—two more than before—meaning an even more intense battle for playoff spots.
The NHL regular season concludes on April 10th, followed by the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Start of the NHL season | September 30, 2026 |
| NHL Heritage Classic | October 25, 2026 |
| NHL Global Series in Finland | November 12 and 14, 2026 |
| NHL Winter Classic | December 31, 2026 |
| NHL All-Star Skills | February 5, 2027 |
| NHL All-Star Game | February 6, 2027 |
| End of the regular season | April 10, 2027 |
Top Stanley Cup Contenders
Colorado Avalanche
If there is one team in the NHL that should never be underestimated, it is the Colorado Avalanche.
Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar continue to form one of the league’s most dangerous star duos. Additionally, players such as Martin Nečas, Gabriel Landeskog, Nazem Kadri, and Brock Nelson add depth to Colorado’s roster.
After the disappointment of last season, the team is certainly aiming to bring the Stanley Cup back to Denver.
Florida Panthers
Although the Florida Panthers missed the playoffs last season, this was largely due to injuries.
The return of Aleksander Barkov, combined with the addition of Brady Tkachuk, means the Panthers boast one of the NHL’s strongest forward groups. Meanwhile, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, and Carter Verhaeghe continue to play key roles for the team.
With a full roster, Florida is therefore one of the top contenders for the title.
Carolina Hurricanes
Reigning champions the Carolina Hurricanes naturally aim to defend their title this year.
They are well-positioned to do so, having retained almost their entire championship core: Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, and Andrei Svechnikov continue to form one of the league’s best forward units.
The biggest question mark for the Hurricanes is the goaltending position, but the rest of the team is undeniably among the absolute elite in the NHL.
Edmonton Oilers
With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl still on the roster, Edmonton cannot be counted out.
Despite a disappointing previous season, the Oilers remain one of the strongest teams in the Western Conference. The biggest questions right now concern the goaltending situation and whether Mike Babcock can steer the team back onto a path toward the Stanley Cup.
Top Stanley Cup Favorites
| Team | OlyBet Odds |
|---|---|
| Florida Panthers | 7.50 |
| Colorado Avalanche | 8.00 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 8.50 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 10.00 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 11.00 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 19.00 |
Potential Dark Horses
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens’ young core has developed significantly in recent years, now bolstered by valuable playoff experience. Nick Suzuki ranks among the league’s best players, Cole Caufield has proven himself as a top-tier goalscorer, and Lane Hutson is emerging as one of the NHL’s best defensemen. In addition to them, significant contributions are also expected from Ivan Demidov, Juraj Slafkovský, and goaltender Jakub Dobeš.
Washington Capitals
Washington made several key additions over the summer. The arrival of Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou, and Boone Jenner significantly strengthens the team, and if the new roster gels quickly, the team from the capital could emerge as one of the season’s biggest surprises.
Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas has been one of the NHL’s most successful teams over the last nine seasons. Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Tomas Hertl, and Mark Stone continue to form a very strong core, and the Golden Knights are among the contenders for the Stanley Cup.
What to bet on in the NHL?
The NHL is one of the most popular sports leagues for making season-long bets.
At OlyBet, you can bet on a variety of long-term markets:
- Stanley Cup winner
- Conference winner
- Division winner
- Making the playoffs
- Regular season winner
- Country of the Stanley Cup winner
- Division of the Stanley Cup winner
- Conference of the Stanley Cup winner
- Team X makes the playoffs
Season-long bets are particularly popular before the season begins, when the teams’ true strength is not yet fully reflected in the odds.
How to watch the NHL?
In the Baltics, NHL games are broadcast by Go3. The Go3 Sport package allows you to watch NHL regular-season games, the playoffs, the Stanley Cup Final series, and major special events like the Winter Classic and the All-Star Weekend.
The NHL is also great for live betting, as games take place almost every night and over 1,300 matches are played throughout the season.
How to bet on the NHL responsibly?
- Play responsibly. 18+
- Set a fixed budget
- Don’t let emotions guide you
- Avoid trying to win back losses
- Analyze injuries and team form
- Compare different betting markets
- Read about responsible gaming
The 2026/27 NHL season promises to be one of the most exciting in recent years. Several teams have a good chance of winning the Stanley Cup, and throughout the season, we will see both new stars and established superstars rise to the occasion.
FAQ about the 2026/27 NHL season
Who are the top favorites for the 2026/27 NHL season?
The Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, and Carolina Hurricanes are considered the top favorites for the Stanley Cup.
When does the 2026/27 NHL season begin?
The season starts on September 30, 2026 (Baltic time).
How many games are played in the NHL regular season?
Each team plays 84 regular-season games.
Where can I watch the NHL in the Baltics?
NHL games can be watched via the Go3 Sport package.
What are the most popular NHL bets?
The most popular markets are Stanley Cup winner, conference winner, division winner, and making the playoffs.
