Despite Canada being a nation obsessed with ice hockey, one that has produced some of the best players in the sport today, to say that Canadian teams haven’t had the best fortune in recent Stanley Cup memory would be a huge understatement.
Every year, there’s debate over whether a team can bring the trophy north of the US border for the first time since the 1993 Canadiens, with one typically touted as Canada’s best hope before every season. Once again, it seems as though Edmonton has the best shot in 2026.
The Oilers are currently +1000 to break Canada’s barren streak, and fans can back the team through the best Alberta betting sites. But how do those odds compare to other teams? And do sportsbooks even expect Edmonton to thrive in both the Pacific Division and Western Conference more widely?
Oilers Favorites to Win the Pacific
Hopes of a postseason run to Stanley Cup glory won’t mean much if Edmonton doesn’t dominate its division. Fortunately for fans, Mike Babcock’s appointment as head coach and the defensive depth added with the signings of Ryan Shea and Shakir Mukhamadullin have helped put the Oilers in the driving seat in the Pacific.
Currently priced at +160 to finish top of the standings, sportsbooks believe that Edmonton has a slight advantage over the Vegas Golden Knights, who are +210. The 2025-26 Stanley Cup finalists might still have leading point-scorers Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner on the roster, but the departures of Pavel Dorofeyev and Colton Sissons have opened the door for the Oilers to steal a march on their divisional rivals.
Edmonton to Rival Colorado in Western Conference
Looking at the Western Conference markets should only create more optimism for Oilers fans, with Babcock’s roster considered one of the standouts. But while the Canadian team’s +470 odds make them a contender to watch, they are not considered the favorites.
Colorado was considered the best in the West for much of last year before their elimination in the conference final at the hands of the Golden Knights. But even after that, and with the offseason departures of several players, including Valeri Nichushkin, Ross Colton, and Jack Drury, the team is still expected to be an excellent attacking threat, thanks to Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon.
Multiple Teams Favored Over Oilers for Stanley Cup
Although Edmonton might be Canada’s best hope of ending their Stanley Cup barren streak, several other teams are expected to be more likely contenders. Unsurprisingly, the Avalanche is one of those, with Colorado sharing odds of +750 with reigning champion Carolina.
There has been minimal upheaval for the Hurricanes leading up to the season, but that should mean Carolina is ready to make another push for the Cup. However, they, like the Oilers, have much longer odds than the supposed favorites, Florida.
After a disappointing season last time out, the Panthers look to be back in business, with general manager Bill Zito trading for Brady Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov looking healthy after recovering from last season’s knee injury. For Edmonton to bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada, they will likely need to find a way to beat a juggernaut with few weaknesses.
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