The puck has only just dropped on the 2025–26 NHL season, yet the playoff picture is already beginning to take shape.
Even in these early weeks, the first handful of games can offer more insight than many realize. They reveal which rosters have real depth, which offseason moves are paying off, and which contenders might struggle to live up to expectations.
Momentum matters. A hot start in October doesn’t guarantee anything come spring, but history shows that teams setting the pace early often stay in the mix deep into the season.
With that in mind, a few franchises have wasted no time making a statement, and oddsmakers are paying close attention.
Opening Games That Shook Up Expectations
The opening stretch of the season has already delivered drama, surprises, and reminders of why the NHL is one of the most unpredictable leagues in sports.
Several clubs have shown they mean business right out of the gate, and those results are starting to ripple into playoff projections.
- Colorado Avalanche: A strong 4–1 start behind disciplined defense and reliable goaltending shows why they remain perennial contenders,
- Carolina Hurricanes: Opened the season with a convincing win and are now testing their depth and resilience on an early road trip,
- Dallas Stars: Delivered a pair of impressive road victories, including one against Colorado, with a high-powered offense boosted by offseason upgrades,
- Florida Panthers: Despite injuries to stars Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov, the reigning champions opened with three straight wins before their first loss,
- Toronto Maple Leafs & Boston Bruins: Mixed early results, but both have shown flashes of promise, with Boston starting hot before a narrow defeat slowed their momentum.
As these results accumulate, they’re starting to reshape how analysts and bettors view the months ahead.
Early-season storylines have a way of pushing projections one way or another, and the latest NHL playoff odds already reflect which teams might be on a path toward postseason success.
Emerging Contenders Defining the Early Landscape
Some teams are living up to their hype, while others are exceeding expectations. Their early performances are already influencing conversations about who could be playing deep into May.
Florida Panthers: Depth Tested, Confidence Intact
Defending a Stanley Cup title is never easy, and the Panthers faced challenges before the first puck even dropped. Injuries to Tkachuk and Barkov might have derailed a lesser roster, but Florida’s depth has stepped up in a big way.
Early wins against Chicago, Philadelphia, and Ottawa show that this team remains a force even without its biggest stars. If they keep piling up victories while waiting for their top talent to return, the Panthers could see their odds tighten again as repeat contenders.
Ottawa Senators: A Promising Push for Playoff Legitimacy
Ottawa entered the season as a team on the rise, and their first few games support that narrative. A thrilling win over Tampa Bay showcased their offensive firepower, even if back-to-back losses to Florida and Nashville exposed some inconsistency.
Still, the Senators appear more competitive than they have in recent years. If they find their footing quickly, they could be in the mix for a postseason berth, potentially disrupting the balance of power in the Atlantic Division.
Dallas Stars: Offensive Upgrade Paying Off
The Stars wasted no time showing off their new offensive firepower, lighting the lamp in back-to-back road wins to start the year. Their victory over Colorado, in particular, was an early indication that they intend to be more than just a playoff team; they are aiming to embark on a championship run.
With improved depth and a top-six forward group capable of overwhelming defenses, Dallas looks poised to remain near the top of the Western Conference standings.
Vegas Golden Knights: Consistent as Ever in the West
Few teams embody consistency like the Golden Knights. Their 3-0-2 start might not leap off the page, but their structure, depth, and resilience remain strengths.
Sharing some of the best odds in the West alongside Colorado and Dallas, Vegas once again looks like a team built for a long playoff run.
As they settle into the season, expect them to be right back in the mix for the conference crown.
Betting Markets React: Odds in Motion
Sportsbooks and bettors are already adjusting to these early-season developments. Preseason favorites like the Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Colorado Avalanche remain strong contenders, with their early results doing little to shake confidence.
The Vegas Golden Knights continue to be pegged as one of the most likely Western Conference finalists, while the Dallas Stars have seen their outlook strengthen thanks to their explosive start.
Some teams are making quiet moves. The Toronto Maple Leafs have seen their odds shorten as bettors warm to their potential despite a rocky start. Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins, dismissed by many as longshots, are showing signs they could once again punch above their weight.
The Panthers’ odds dipped slightly due to early injuries, but their resilience could quickly reverse that trend. Early momentum often prompts rapid adjustments in futures markets, and this year is no different.
Beyond the Odds: Stories Shaping the Playoff Picture
The numbers tell one story, but the narratives behind them often tell an even deeper one.
Florida’s ability to weather injuries is a testament to their roster depth and playoff-tested mentality. Dallas’s offensive leap suggests that their championship window is very much open. Ottawa’s push for relevance hints at a potential shake-up in the Atlantic. And teams like Toronto and Edmonton face pressure to prove they can turn regular-season potential into postseason results.
Momentum, injuries, roster depth, and chemistry all play pivotal roles in how the playoff picture evolves. Staying on top of these evolving storylines is key for fans and bettors alike, and following the latest NHL news and trends is one of the best ways to keep pace with the shifting landscape.
What Early Momentum Could Mean for the Months Ahead
It’s still early days, but these first glimpses of the 2025–26 NHL season are already offering clues about how the playoff race might unfold.
Teams like the Panthers and Stars are proving they have the tools to go the distance, while up-and-comers like Ottawa are eager to shake up the status quo.
Momentum can shift quickly in hockey, but the tone set in October often echoes into the spring. As the season unfolds, fans should expect more twists, more breakout performances, and plenty of changes to the playoff picture and the odds that come with it.
*Content reflects information available as of 14/10/2025; subject to change
