The 2026-27 NHL schedule opens on September 29, and every club will play 84 regular-season games, up from 82. Montreal visits Toronto on opening night, while Vancouver meets Edmonton later that night.
Montreal stands out for futures bettors
Among Canadian teams, Montreal looks like the most appealing long-shot Cup play. The Canadiens reached the Eastern Conference Final last season, and that playoff run has pushed expectations higher entering this year.
Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Ivan Demidov, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Lane Hutson give Montreal multiple ways to create offense, which matters in a league where depth and versatility often decide postseason series.
If the Stanley Cup price is too tight, an Eastern Conference futures bet may be the cleaner way to back Montreal. That approach still gives exposure to a strong team without requiring a full championship leap.
Edmonton is better for individual game angles
Edmonton remains dangerous because Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can tilt nearly any matchup. The concern is the defensive side, since the Oilers allowed 3.23 goals per game last season and ranked 25th in the league in that category.
That profile makes Edmonton a more natural fit for game-by-game betting than for a broad season-long futures ticket. Their offense can support moneyline plays and high-scoring markets, but opponent quality, goaltending, and recent form should drive each decision.
Quick comparison for Canadian bettors
| Betting goal | Best team | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Stanley Cup futures | Montreal Canadiens | Their young core has playoff experience and higher upside after last season’s deep run. |
| Single-game bets and totals | Edmonton Oilers | McDavid and Draisaitl create elite scoring potential, though defensive issues remain. |
The smartest way to place the wager
- Compare futures odds across sportsbooks before choosing Montreal. A talented team can still be a bad bet if the price is too short.
- Use Edmonton for matchup-specific bets instead of treating them as a blanket season-long pick. Their style is easier to handicap one game at a time.
- Check lineup and goaltending news before every bet, especially early in the season when market numbers move quickly.
Bottom line: Montreal is the stronger Canadian Stanley Cup futures candidate if the number offers value, while Edmonton is the better team for individual-game betting.
