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As the 2025 NHL postseason enters its final stretch, the playoff picture is starting to come into sharper focus. The Florida Panthers have surged to a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final, while in the West, the Edmonton Oilers currently lead the Dallas Stars 2-1 in what has been a more tightly contested series. 

With the stakes growing higher with every shift on the ice, fans, analysts, and oddsmakers alike are keeping a close eye on how the odds are shifting in the race to the Stanley Cup Final.

Eastern Conference: Florida Panthers Take Control

The Florida Panthers have built a postseason identity around resilience, structured play, and timely scoring. That approach has paid off handsomely as they now find themselves one win away from a return trip to the Stanley Cup Final. With the NHL playoff odds swinging heavily in their favor, this surge has been powered by the leadership and high-level play of their star forwards Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, and Sam Reinhart. 

The Panthers’ third game against Carolina in the Conference Final was a statement win. The 6-2 victory saw defenseman Niko Mikkola unexpectedly shine with two goals, helping to tilt momentum heavily in Florida’s favor. 

More importantly, the return of key depth players like Mikkola and A.J. Greer from injury gave the Panthers an added edge at a crucial moment. Head coach Paul Maurice praised the team’s ability to stay grounded amid playoff pressure, noting how the team has evolved in its third straight deep postseason run.

Carolina Hurricanes Face Steep Climb

While Florida’s path to this point has been impressive, the story for the Carolina Hurricanes has been one of missed opportunities and offensive stagnation. Despite entering the series with high expectations, thanks in part to standout players like Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, and Jaccob Slavin, Carolina has been unable to solve Florida’s defensive schemes. 

Aho, typically a playoff performer, has struggled to generate the same level of impact, while Slavin and the defensive core have been overwhelmed by Florida’s forecheck and transitional speed. Svechnikov has shown flashes of brilliance, but isolated moments haven’t been enough to change the course of the series.

Current playoff models reflect this disparity in momentum. According to analytics site MoneyPuck, the Panthers now hold an 83.3 percent chance of winning the series and a 47.8 percent chance of capturing the Stanley Cup. 

The Hurricanes’ odds have plummeted accordingly, with only a 16.7 percent shot at completing the comeback and just a 9.2 percent chance to win the championship. While sports history reminds us that no lead is safe until the final whistle, the gap in both performance and probability is hard to ignore.

Western Conference: Oilers Edge Ahead in Tight Series

On the other side of the bracket, the Western Conference Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars presents a far more competitive picture. Edmonton currently leads the series 2-1 after a commanding 6-1 win in Game 3, but each contest has carried its own narrative. 

The Oilers’ success, as has been the case in recent years, hinges on the brilliance of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. McDavid’s Game 3 performance was electric, tallying two goals and an assist, while Draisaitl added to his postseason resume with consistent zone entries and puck distribution.

Zach Hyman has emerged as a difference-maker in this postseason, finding chemistry with McDavid and providing a scoring touch in key moments. His two-goal performance in Game 3 further solidified his role as a top-line threat. 

Meanwhile, goaltender Stuart Skinner answered his critics with a 33-save outing that gave Edmonton much-needed confidence between the pipes. The Oilers have long had the offensive firepower to go deep into the playoffs, but questions about goaltending and defensive consistency have haunted them. With a Game 3 win that showcased structure as well as star power, Edmonton may be finding the formula they’ve long sought.

Dallas Stars Still in the Fight

Dallas, however, remains a formidable opponent. With players like Miro Heiskanen anchoring the blue line, Jason Robertson contributing offensively, and Jake Oettinger providing elite goaltending, the Stars are not out of the series by any means. Their 5-on-5 play has been strong in stretches, and the team has shown the ability to rally. 

While Game 3 was a setback, their Game 2 win on the road proved they can bounce back under pressure. Their biggest challenge moving forward will be neutralizing McDavid’s line and staying disciplined on special teams, where the Oilers have been especially dangerous.

Interestingly, the playoff odds still slightly favor Dallas to win the series despite trailing. MoneyPuck gives the Stars a 68.4 percent chance to reach the Stanley Cup Final compared to Edmonton’s 31.6 percent. 

This suggests that while Edmonton has the current lead, predictive models are taking into account home-ice advantage, team depth, and the volatility of single-game performance. For the Cup itself, Dallas holds a 30.3 percent chance to win it all, while Edmonton sits at 12.7 percent.

Looking Ahead to a Potential Final

If both Florida and Edmonton advance, the resulting Stanley Cup Final will offer an exciting contrast in styles. Florida’s depth, defensive accountability, and playoff seasoning would meet Edmonton’s high-octane offense and generational star power. 

Both teams have endured long playoff roads, but only one will emerge as champion. For the Panthers, this could be the culmination of three years of elite play and near-misses. For the Oilers, it would be the long-awaited realization of a championship core built around two of the best players in the world.

Conclusion

As we move closer to the Final, the NHL playoffs continue to deliver the unpredictability and drama that defines the postseason. Injuries, coaching adjustments, and individual brilliance will continue to shape outcomes in ways that models and odds can only partially predict. But as of now, the path to the Stanley Cup is clearing, and all signs point to an exciting finish.

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