Canadian Stanley Cup Drought on Borrowed Time

The Edmonton Oilers came oh-so-close to snapping Canada’s 31-year Stanley Cup drought last season, losing Game 7 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. With the best player in the world in Connor McDavid, it’s long seemed a matter of when — not if — Edmonton would reclaim its City of Champions moniker, and after coming one game short last year, sportsbooks are inclined to agree. 

With the 2024-25 NHL season just about underway, McDavid’s Oilers sit atop the NHL odds board to win the Stanley Cup (+800 at BET99) and are the sole team with odds shorter than 10/1.

The reason for that, ultimately, goes back to the captain. Not only do the Oilers hold the best Stanley Cup odds, but McDavid sits as the favourite for the Hart Trophy (+150), awarded to the league’s MVP, and the Art Ross (-155), which goes to the league’s leading scorer.

Edmonton won’t be going at it alone from a Canadian perspective, however, with two other squads north of the border among 11 with better than 20/1 odds to win the Stanley Cup. The Toronto Maple Leafs, after yet another playoff gut punch, slot in six spots below the Oil on the odds board (+1450) with the Vancouver Canucks — no strangers to Game 7 heartbreak themselves — just a notch below (+1800).

Since the Habs last triumphed in 1993, Canada’s had seven Finals appearances between its seven teams, but the prize has eluded them. With a trio of sides among the favourites headed into a new season — including the favourite led by the best player in the world — hockey’s homeland has as good of a chance as ever to reclaim Lord Stanley’s Cup.

As the Oilers learned last year, nothing is guaranteed. With puck drop just about here, now’s the best time to head over to BET99. 

Click here to explore the full range of hockey betting options available on BET99.  

*Odds as of October 2, 2024