Vegas Golden Knights Favored in 2025-26 NHL Stanley Cup Simulations

The 2025-26 NHL season kicks off on October 7 with significant attention on player prop bets, rookies poised for breakout seasons, and Stanley Cup predictions. Key player bets include Nathan MacKinnon and David Pastrnak's scoring races and Nico Hischier's potential to surpass 90 points if healthy. Rising rookies such as Montreal's Ivan Demidov and St. Louis' Jimmy Snuggerud are highlighted as potential Calder Trophy contenders. A major offseason storyline is Mitch Marner’s trade to the Vegas Golden Knights from the Toronto Maple Leafs, with analysts predicting a possible Stanley Cup Final clash between these two teams. The Florida rivalry between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers continues to be a focal point, with the Lightning at +800 and Panthers at +900 odds to win the Stanley Cup, despite key injuries affecting the Panthers. AI simulations project the Vegas Golden Knights as the most likely Stanley Cup winners, having won 42 out of 100 simulated seasons and making the playoffs 89% of the time, underscoring their strong championship potential.