2025 Stanley Cup first-round betting guide: Props, picks, futures - ESPN

The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs begin Saturday with 16 teams looking to etch their name onto Lord Stanley's Cup. Sergei Bobrovsky and the reigning champion Florida Panthers aim to defend their crown against a crowded Eastern Conference field that includes the Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, and Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Winnipeg Jets, behind Vezina and Hart Trophy favorite Connor Hellebuyck, look to make their first Stanley Cup Final appearance, but to do so, they will have to take on the best of the West, including recent champions the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche, as well as last season's runner-up, the Edmonton Oilers. Meanwhile, those Oilers will face the Los Angeles Kings for the fourth straight postseason.

The Washington Capitals have the top spot in the East and are led by the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer Alex Ovechkin, who broke Wayne Gretzky's record on April 6.

With the stage set, we asked Sean Allen and Victoria Matiash for their best bet from each of the first-round series as well as to identify the top Conn Smythe Trophy candidate from each team should it go on to play for the Stanley Cup.

All times Eastern. Odds accurate as of time of publication. For latest odds and markets, go to ESPN BET.

St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets
Game 1: Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, Alberta; Saturday, 6 p.m.

Game 1 puck line: Blues +1.5 (-175), Jets -1.5 (+145)

Series winner: Blues (+180), Jets (-215)

Series length: Four games (+550), five games (+260), six games (+200), seven games (+210)

Best Bet: Kyle Connor most points in series (+230). If Connor Hellebuyck continues to perform as he has since October — and there isn't ample reason to believe otherwise — the Blues will have difficulty getting