NHL Playoff Odds and Stanley Cup Futures at the 2026 Olympic Break

• The NHL enters its three-week Olympic break with Colorado as the clear Stanley Cup favorite at +220
• Vegas is a -3000 lock to make the playoffs, while Toronto (+340) and Florida (+185) are in serious danger of missing
• See the full NHL playoff odds and Stanley Cup odds at the 2026 Olympic break below

The NHL is officially on pause. The league shut down February 6 for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, giving us three weeks to digest a first half that produced more chaos than anyone expected.

Colorado has separated as the clear Stanley Cup odds favorite at +220. Tampa Bay has quietly surged into second at +500. Meanwhile, Toronto and Florida are fighting for their playoff lives heading into the Olympic break.

Here’s a look at the NHL playoff odds and Stanley Cup odds at the break, plus the best betting value.

2026 Stanley Cup Odds at Olympic Break

Odds via FanDuel as of Feb. 6. Also of note: Pittsburgh (+5000), Montreal (+5000), Detroit (+5500), Columbus (+6000), Toronto (+6500), and the Islanders (+7500).

The Avs opened the season at +900. They’ve been sliced to +220 after a dominant first half that produced a +74 goal differential and the league’s fewest regulation losses.

Nathan MacKinnon is the Hart Trophy odds favorite, Cale Makar leads the Norris Trophy odds, and Colorado is absorbing roughly 20% of all Stanley Cup money at major sportsbooks. The one red flag? Their power play ranks dead last in the NHL at 15.1%.

NHL Playoff Odds: To Make/Miss Playoffs

Odds via FanDuel as of Feb. 6.

Biggest NHL Playoff Odds Surprises

The Atlantic Division has turned into a bloodbath. Florida is +185 to make the playoffs, Toronto sits at +340, and Boston is +115. The two-time defending champion Panthers are in real danger of missing the postseason after losing Aleksander Barkov to a torn ACL in the preseason.

Toronto’s situation might be worse. The Leafs are +340 to make the playoffs and +6500 to win the Cup after opening at +1600. Their 58-year drought could extend another season, though they’ve won three straight games.

On the flip side, Montreal (-500) and Buffalo (-340) have emerged as playoff teams. The Sabres are chasing their first postseason berth since 2011 after going 21-4-2 over their last 27 games entering the Olympic break.

The biggest collapse belongs to Winnipeg. The Jets won the Presidents’ Trophy last season. Now they’re +1000 just to make the playoffs and +17500 in the Stanley Cup odds after a brutal 4-15-5 stretch buried their season.

Stanley Cup Odds Betting Value

Tampa Bay at +500 looks like the sharpest play on the board. The Lightning carry a 99%+ playoff probability and have gone 18-1-1 in their last 20 games, yet the public remains fixated on Colorado. Dom Luszczyszyn’s Athletic model gives Tampa roughly 25% Cup probability, and they’ve drawn far less betting action than the Avs.

Carolina at +750 offers similar value. The Canes have the league’s best defensive metrics and added Nikolaj Ehlers and K’Andre Miller in the offseason. They’ve attracted just 6.9% of Cup bets despite having the second-best record in hockey.

Detroit at +5500 shows the market’s skepticism of a team with an elite record but a soft first-half schedule and a negative goal differential. Sharp bettors are fading the Red Wings, and the models agree.

Vegas at +950 is interesting. The Knights lead the Pacific despite 13 overtime losses dragging down their point total, and the Mitch Marner addition gives them a legit top line with Jack Eichel. Adin Hill is finding his game, and the team bolstered its blueline by acquiring Calgary’s Rasmus Andersson.

NHL Playoff Picture After the Olympic Break

Play resumes February 25 with the trade deadline looming just nine days later on March 6. Teams with heavy Olympic participation (Florida has 10 players in Milano, Minnesota has 9, Colorado and Tampa have 8 each) face potential fatigue and injury risk when they return.

Hot teams risk losing momentum during the 19-day layoff, while banged-up rosters get time to heal. With roughly 25-28 games remaining and the regular season ending April 16, every game carries extra weight.

Colorado remains the team to beat in the Stanley Cup odds, but at +220, you’re paying a premium in a sport defined by playoff chaos.