In the 2024-25 regular season, the Pacific Division’s combatants combined for a total of 710 points, which was the lowest total of any of the NHL’s four divisions. While the new-look Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers are heavily favored to earn two of the division’s three playoff seeds once again, there are sound arguments that each of the four teams that finished at the bottom of the division last season could take steps forward in the 2025-26 season.

In this article I’ll outline the Pacific Division betting odds, notable roster moves, and detail one best bet for each team, in descending order from most to least likely to win the Stanley Cup.

All odds in this article are courtesy of bet365.

Odds to win Stanley Cup, Conference, Division, to Make Playoffs, O/U Point Total:

Team	Stanley Cup odds	Conference Odds	Division Odds	To Make Playoffs	Regular Season Point Total o/u
Anaheim Ducks	+10000	+5000	+3300	+270	82.5
Calgary Flames	+6600	+3300	+3000	+260	83.5
Edmonton Oilers	+750	+325	+155	-900	104.5
Los Angeles Kings	+2000	+1000	+425	-320	98.5
San Jose Sharks	+50000	+25000	+15000	+1100	70.5
Seattle Kraken	+22500	+10000	+7500	+475	78.5
Vancouver Canucks	+5500	+2800	+1400	+105	90.5
Vegas Golden Knights	+900	+450	+150	-1000	105.5

Edmonton Oilers

Stanley Cup Odds: +750
To Win Conference Odds: +325
To Win Division Odds: +155
To Make the Playoffs Odds: -900
Regular Season Point Total: 104.5

Key roster additions: Andrew Mangiapane (RW), Ike Howard (LW), Curtis Lazar (C), Riley Stillman (D)

Key roster subtractions: Evander Kane (LW), Viktor Arvidsson (RW), Jeff Skinner (LW), Corey Perry (RW), Connor Brown (RW), John Klingberg (D), Derek Ryan (C)

Best Bet: Stanley Cup Winner +750

While the current betting odds suggest the Oilers have just an 11% chance of winning it all this season, there is no mistaking it; anything short of a Stanley Cup victory will be a disappointment.

The pressure for the Oilers to win it all this season will be particularily pronounced if Connor McDavid does not sign an extension with the team. While Edmonton’s cupboards are quite bare, it will certainly be extremely aggressive prior to the trade deadline if it appears a realistic possiblity that it may be McDavid’s last season with the team.

Bettors may not need to rush to back the Oilers at +750 to win the Cup, as it will likely take a tremendous regular season to push that price down much further, though it could drop to some extent prior to the start of the season if Florida’s Aleksander Barkov appears likely to miss the playoffs. So while it may not be critical to bet the Oilers winning the Cup right this moment, it is still my favorite bet involving the team at this point in time.

The elite talents at the top of the Oilers lineup are obviously the greatest reason for their back-to-back Western Conference championships, and they have not lost anyone in that regard. They could potentially have better luck with injuries this postseason, as Mattias Ekholm and Zach Hyman missed parts of last year’s run, and there’s an argument to be made that the surrounding cast is equally strong.

Ike Howard and Matthew Savoie are likely to be offered important roles on the team’s top three units, which adds a wrinkle of volaity given that neither is proven at the NHL level. However, they are not truly going to need to be overly dominant to fill those roles as effectively as skaters such as Corey Perry, Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner did last season, and could realistically be an upgrade.

While Edmonton’s defensive core has consistently been the butt-end of opposing fanbases’ jokes during the McDavid era, it once again looks quite solid entering this season in comparison with other cup contenders. Evan Bouchard, Jake Walman and Mattias Ekholm provide a very solid floor for a defensive core that will never need to be the greatest strength of a team headlined by McDavid and Draisaitl.

The Oilers held the eighth best xGA/60 during last year’s regular season, and also ranked eighth among the 16 playoff teams. Goaltender Stuart Skinner was once again somewhat shaky relative to what other true Cup contenders are offering, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Oilers finally gamble on bringing in another strong option this season.

So while a price of +750 could potentially exist a while longer, it is a number I’m happy with given my belief that the Oilers will enter the postseason as the betting favorites out West, as ultimately it’s their pair of Hart Trophy winners and proven playoff performers in McDavid and Draisaitl which make them a yearly contender.

Vegas Golden Knights

Stanley Cup Odds: +900
To Win Conference Odds: +450
To Win Division Odds: +150
To Make the Playoffs Odds: -1000
Regular Season Point Total: 105.5

Key roster additions: Mitch Marner (RW), Colton Sissons (RW) , Jeremy Lauzon (D), Dylan Coghlan (D), Jaycob Megna (D)

Key roster subtractions: Nic Hague (D), Nic Roy (C), Victor Olofsson (LW), Ilya Samsonov (G)

Best Bet: Jack Eichel to Score 30+ Goals +110 (bet365, Play to +100)

Oddsmakers consider the Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes as the two teams most likely to qualify for the postseason, with a betting price of -1000.

The Knights won the division with 110 points last season, but were ousted in the second round in convincing fashion by the Oilers in just five games. As has typically been the case, the Knights’ management stayed aggressive in bringing in Mitch Marner this offseason, and he offers a massive upgrade on the top line, even if his inability to elevate his level of play in the postseason has been well documented.

As Alex Pietrangelo’s future is uncertain and Nic Hague lost via free agency, the Knights defensive core will also be taking on a new look this season. Still, the Knights blue-line looks rock-solid, with an expected top four compiled of Shea Theodore, Noah Hanifin, Brayden McNabb, and Zach Whitecloud.

I’m in agreement with oddsmakers in believing the Knights deserve to be the betting favorites to win the Pacific Division, and would still prefer to bet on them winning the Cup at +900 over other Western contenders such as the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings.

My favorite bet involving the team still lies in backing Jack Eichel to score 30 goals at +110, which I outlined earlier on in the offseason. Eichel will likely be the biggest benefactor from Marner’s addition to the team, as one of the league’s best playmakers should help him hit his ceiling from a goal-scoring perspective.

Eichel has scored 0.40 goals per game during his time with the Knights, and should be well-situated to build on that mark entering this contract season.

Los Angeles Kings

Stanley Cup Odds: +2000
To Win Conference Odds: +1000
To Win Division Odds: +425
To Make the Playoffs Odds: -320
Regular Season Point Total: 98.5

Key roster additions: Corey Perry (RW) Joel Armia (RW) Cody Ceci (D) Brian Dumoulin (D) Anton Forsberg (G)

Key roster subtractions: Vladislav Gavrikov (D), Jordan Spence (D), Tanner Jeannot (LW) David Rittich (G) Trevor Lewis (C)

Best Bet: Quinton Byfield 70+ Points +190 (bet365, Play to +180) 

While the Kings should still be a fairly safe bet to find their way back into the postseason, it’s hard to believe that they heightened their chances of finally making another meaningful run this postseason with their offseason moves.

Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin will both likely prove to be considerable downgrades on the blue-line compared to Vladislav Gavrikov and Jordan Spence, who were both quite effective last season. Brandt Clarke will likely continue to take steps forward and is now more likely to receive consistent top-four usage, but that still may not be enough to outweigh the downgrades offered by Ceci and Dumoulin.

Still, the Kings should feature a fairly deep offensive core littered with strong two-way players. Despite once again offering a well-below average power play last season, the Kings ranked 14th in the league in scoring at 3.04 goals per game.

The potential of a full-fledged breakout from Byfield is one cause for optimism offensively, as the former second overall pick will be entering his true prime at age 23. Byfield racked up 31 points in his final 32 games last season, playing mainly on a highly effective second unit alongside Kevin Fiala and Alex Laferriere.

The 225-pound power forward certainly passed the eye-test last season, blending a strong skill game with solid skating ability for his size, and appears to be seeing the ice more effectively compared to earlier on in his career at the NHL level. His 2024-25 analytical profile was also excellent, as he held a +13 expected goals above replacement rating.

At +190, I see strong value in betting Byfield to break out with a career year and hit the 70-point plateau this season.

Vancouver Canucks

Stanley Cup Odds: +5500
To Win Conference Odds: +2800
To Win Division Odds: +1400
To Make the Playoffs Odds: +105
Regular Season Point Total: 90.5

Key roster additions: Adam Foote (Head Coach), Evander Kane (LW), Pierre-Olivier Joseph (D)

Key roster subtractions: Rick Tocchet (Head Coach), Pius Suter (C), Arturs Silovs (G), Dakota Joshua (LW), Noah Juulsen (D)

Best Bet: Adam Foote to Win Jack Adams +2500 (bet365, Play to +2200)

While being very low on the Vancouver Canucks following their 109-point overperformance in 2023-24 proved to be one of my better takes, they do appear to have enough upside entering this season to warrant a small bet on Foote to win Coach of the Year at a price of +2500.

It’s entirely possible that the Canucks fall flat and miss the playoffs once again this season, but Foote fits the bill as a solid contender in the Jack Adams market considering his price tag. Vancouver managed only 90 points during a dysfunctional 2024-25 campaign, as Elias Pettersson was largely ineffective while reportedly playing through injury, and Thatcher Demko missed the majority of the campaign once again.

All the noise surrounding Pettersson entering this season sounds quite positive, and he could be poised for a bounce-back campaign. While losing J.T. Miller hurts, his departure should help the team’s chemistry in the room, and it’s not as though he was offering his best level of play while with the Canucks last season, either.

Though the return for Miller seemed somewhat modest, Marcus Pettersson and Filip Chytil could prove to be important pieces for the Canucks this season. Marcus Pettersson offers a desperately needed upgrade to the team’s defensive core, which also could be aided by healthier seasons from Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek, as well as progression from Elias Pettersson (D).

So while I don’t necessarily want to oversell the Canucks this season, their are some valid arguments which suggest they could be much improved, especially given that there are really only two teams in the Pacific that should be viewed as playoff locks. If the Canucks are to return to the postseason, Foote will likely emerge in the Jack Adams conversation.

Calgary Flames

Stanley Cup Odds: +6600
To Win Conference Odds: +3300
To Win Division Odds: +3000
To Make the Playoffs Odds: +260
Regular Season Point Total: 83.5

Key roster additions: Ivan Prosvetov (G), Nick Cicek (D)

Key roster subtractions: Dan Vladar (G), Anthony Mantha (RW), Tyson Barrie (D), Kevin Rooney (C) 

Best Bet: Division Finishing Position Seventh +450 (bet365, Play to +420)

The Flames vastly overachieved expectations last season by recording 96 points and losing out on the final playoff spot to the St. Louis Blues due to a tiebreaker. While important young skaters such as Zayne Parekh, Connor Zary and, Matt Coronato could offer a greater impact this season, the case that the Flames could be drastically less successful this season is quite strong.

Calgary ranked 29th in averaging just 2.68 goals per game last season, and held a goal differential of -13. Dustin Wolf was downright incredible in his rookie campaign to steal plenty of close wins, and if Wolf’s level of play is to fall off to any extent it could prove crippling to a team that will once again have a hard time producing offensively.

Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri both bounced back with strong seasons in 2024-25, but are both on the wrong side of 30 and may not be able to replicate the same level of play this year. If that is the case, Calgary will offer one of the worst top-sixes in the league.

And while the Flames’ roster was clearly highly motivated by a close playoff race down the stretch last season, we could see the opposite effect take place this year if they fall out of it early, which could also mean Rasmus Andersson and Kadri being traded prior the deadline. 

Backing the Flames to come in under 83.5 points looks to provide some value at -130, but a price of +450 for them to finish exactly seventh in the division is likely a more attractive option for a futures bet which will take the entirety of the season to run. The thinking here is fairly straightforward, as my belief is Calgary has a strong chance of finishing below all Pacific teams aside from the San Jose Sharks, making +450 an attractive number.

Anaheim Ducks

Stanley Cup Odds: +22500
To Win Conference Odds: +10000
To Win Division Odds: +3300
To Make the Playoffs Odds: +475
Regular Season Point Total: 82.5

Key roster additions: Joel Quenneville (Head Coach) Mikael Granlund (C) Chris Kreider (LW) Ryan Poehling (C), Petr Mrazek (G)

Key roster subtractions: John Gibson (G), Trevor Zegras (C), Brett Leason (RW), Oliver Kylington (D), Robby Fabbri (C), Brock McGinn (LW), Isac Lundestrom (C)

Best Bet: Leo Carlsson to Record 60 Points +270 (bet365, Play to +250)

I’ve outlined two bets relating to the Anaheim Ducks this offseason, Joel Quenneville to win Coach of the Year at +850, and Carlsson to score 60 points at +270.

While betting Quenneville to win Coach of the Year still looks to hold some value, given the uncertainty regarding Mason McTavish entering the year, I currently view Carlsson recording 60 points as the better option. A potential absence from McTavish should make it even more likely that Quenneville offers Carlsson hefty minutes right from the jump this season, but obviously hurts the team’s chances of success.

Greg Cronin was rightfully dismissed following the 2024-25 season, though the Ducks technically did outperform oddsmakers’ expectations by a fairly wide margin in recording 80 points. Much of that came down to goaltending, as Lukas Dostal and John Gibson formed one of the league’s very best tandems. 

While I’m not overly high on the Ducks’ offseason acquisitions of Mikael Granlund and Chris Kreider, the combination of much sharper coaching and potential breakouts from young talents such as Carlsson, Olen Zellweger, and Cutter Gauthier makes me believe they could outperform expectations.

The Ducks should take considerable steps forward this season under Quenneville, and Carlsson appears to be the most likely breakout candidate. Carlsson put up 26 points in the final 28 games last season, and has all the tools to be a legitimate top-line center at the NHL level. 

Carlsson is a shoe-in to skate as the Ducks’ number-one center this season and is a safe bet to have a role on the top power-play unit. Twenty-seven of the 32 skaters that most commonly received top-line usage last season scored at a 60-point pace, with the majority of those clearing the 60-point plateau with ease. 

Seattle Kraken

Stanley Cup Odds: +12500
To Win Conference Odds: +6000
To Win Division Odds: +3300
To Make the Playoffs Odds: +270
Regular Season Point Total: 78.5

Key roster additions: Lane Lambert (Head Coach), Mason Marchment (RW), Frederick Gaudreau (C), Ryan Lindgren (D)

Key roster subtractions: Dan Byslma (Head Coach), Andre Burakovsky (LW), Mikey Eyssimont (C)

Best Bet: Over 78.5 Points -115 (bet365, Play to -110)

Bettors likely will not be rushing to the window to back bets involving a successful season from the Kraken, but a total of 78.5 points does appear to be too low for a team that looks likely to be moreso mediocre than terrible.

The Kraken made a wise decision in choosing to relieve head coach Dan Bylsma of his duties after the team recorded only 76 points last season. Lane Lambert will likely prove to be an upgrade, and is inheriting a slightly better roster than the one which struggled under Bylsma last season.

While the Kraken could have been right in positioning themselves to try and luck into earning the right to draft Gavin McKenna next summer, they chose to further push towards mediocrity in bringing in Mason Marchment, Frederick Gaudreau, and Ryan Lindgren. 

Marchment could prove to be a massive upgrade over departed winger Andre Burakovsky, while young forwards such as Matty Beniers, Shane Wright, Kaapo Kakko, and potentially even Berkly Catton keep the team’s offensive floor somewhat respectable, while a defensive core featuring a healthy Vince Dunn seems slightly underrated.

While Seattle likely will not be a playoff team this season, I believe its floor is high enough to warrant betting them to go over a low total of 78.5 points, which would also be an important part of the puzzle regarding our bet on the Flames to finish seventh in the division. 

San Jose Sharks

Stanley Cup Odds: +50000
To Win Conference Odds: +25000
To Win Division Odds: +15000
To Make the Playoffs Odds: +1100
Regular Season Point Total: 70.5

Key roster additions: Michael Misa (C), Philipp Kurashev (LW) Oskar Olausson (LW) Jeff Skinner (LW) Adam Gaudette (RW) Ryan Reaves (RW) Dmitry Orlov (D) Nick Leddy (D) John Klingberg (D) Alex Nedeljkovic (G)

Key roster subtractions:  Thomas Bordeleau (C), Daniil Gushchin (LW) Walker Duehr (RW), Nikolai Kovalenko (RW) Scott Sabourin (RW) Henry Thrun (D) Marc-Édouard Vlasic (D) Jan Rutta (D) Alexandar Georgiev (G)

Best Bet: Fewest Regular Season Points +290 (bet365, Play to +280)

The Sharks finished last in the NHL last season with a total of 52 points, nine points fewer than the Chicago Blackhawks. As Macklin Celebrini was even more dominant than expected and the fact that the fanbase was counting on such awful team results, it still felt like a positive campaign in many regards, even compared to Chicago. 

Though the team’s young roster core of Celebrini, Will Smith, William Eklund, and Michael Misa offer reasons for optimisim this season, the Sharks chances of being the worst team in the NHL still seem to be undervalued. Only the Blackhawks appear likely to be comparably bad, and I believe oddsmakers’ 26% implied probability of the Sharks finishing last is too low. 

GM Mike Grier brought in plenty of veterans during the offseason, but the majority of the skaters were highly ineffective last season.

Dmitry Orlov could be motivated to prove to a contender that he still has game left, but still, was highly ineffective last season and may have aged past his prime. Nick Leddy and John Klingberg fall into a similar category, while Jeff Skinner, Adam Gaudette, and Ryan Reaves do not project to add positive value to the offensive core. 

If the Sharks’ youngsters don’t take significant steps forward it seems quite likely that the team will remain very uncompetitive, as their offseason acquisitions should mainly produce below average results this season.

A full season from Yaroslav Askarov could be one reason that San Jose manages better results, as it did receive some of the league’s worst goaltending last season. 

It’s easy for me to see the positivity surrounding the Sharks entering this year, and I’ll be excited to watch their young offensive stars on a nightly basis. However it still seems quite likely that they will offer the NHL’s worst defensive core, and that their talented young forwards will be forced to carry plenty of dead weight offensively. 

At a price of +280, there seems to be value backing San Jose to finish dead last, given that there only really seems to be a few teams likely to truly be in the race.