Edmonton Oilers deemed 2026 Stanley Cup favorite, moments after gutting Game 6 loss to Panthers

The Edmonton Oilers are considered the favorites to win the 2026 Stanley Cup, despite the heartbreak of a Game 6 loss to the Florida Panthers.

The Oilers' wait for their sixth championship continues after another Stanley Cup Final defeat to the Florida Panthers, marked with a disappointing 5-1 loss in Game 6.

Nevertheless, shortly after the defeat, BetMGM pegged the Edmonton Oilers as the top contenders for next year's title with odds of +650. Meanwhile, the back-to-back champion Panthers are listed with odds of +750.

Other teams' odds include the Colorado Avalanche (+800), Dallas Stars (+850), Carolina Hurricanes (+900), Vegas Golden Knights (+1200), Tampa Bay Lightning (+1500), New Jersey Devils (+1800), LA Kings (+2000), Toronto Maple Leafs (+2000), Washington Capitals (+2800) and the New York Rangers (+3000).

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However, it's premature to determine the winner at this stage. The odds provided are merely an initial estimate and are likely to fluctuate as the season progresses.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid shares his thoughts after SCF loss

It marked another consecutive heartbreak for Connor McDavid, who could not finish the job after coming so close to claiming his first Stanley Cup.

Despite the disappointment, he stood out as the Oilers' top performer throughout the postseason, tying for first with 31 points. Reflecting on the loss, McDavid praised the Panthers, acknowledging them as a formidable group whose back-to-back titles reflect their skill and determination.

"We kept trying the same thing over and over again, just banging our heads against the wall. Credit to them, they played well.” Nobody quit, nobody threw the towel in,” said McDavid post-game via NHL. “They’re a heck of a team. They’re Stanley Cup champions back to back for a reason."

Connor McDavid has one year remaining on his eight-year, $100 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers. He will be eligible to sign a new extension with the club this summer, and it will be interesting to see what numbers the Oilers offer him.

Also Read: Dejected Connor McDavid doesn't mince words about Oilers' lackluster offense in Stanley Cup Final loss to Panthers

About the author

Abhishek is an NHL writer at Sportskeeda with over 2 years of sports reporting experience and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delhi. He became a fan of ice hockey after watching NHL fight videos on YouTube, which led to him professionally writing about the sport and his continued interest in all things hockey.

A fan of the Boston Bruins, Abhishek considers their incredible comeback win against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2013 playoffs as the most iconic moment in the NHL. His admiration for the six-time Stanley Cup winners also comes from the team’s storied history, distinctive black and gold uniform and their success in the sport. His all-time favorite NHL players are Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, for their ability to perform at the highest level consistently.

Abhishek ensures his reporting is fair and balanced by being well-researched in his details, which he expects to be relevant, up-to-date and in line with ethical standards. His specialties are doing detailed match analysis and covering fan reactions.

Abhishek enjoys music, traveling and going on walks with his three German Shepherds in his free time, along with learning about horticulture.

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Edited by Abhishek Dilta