For bettors looking to bet online and make picks on NHL odds, a fascinating throughline can often revolve around finding a scrappy underdog to root for.
Part of the fun of a bet on hockey is its unpredictability. Games are often very tight, frequently decided by a single goal, thanks to a weird bounce or highlight reel moment.
But which team has been the most unpredictable? I looked at the teams best at beating the odds with the best win percentage as the underdog in the NHL this season.
Best NHL Underdog Win Percentage 2025-26
| Rank | Team | W% | GP | W | L | OTL |
| 1 | Florida Panthers | .706 | 17 | 12 | 5 | 0 |
| 2 | Tampa Bay Lightning | .700 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| 3 | Dallas Stars | .643 | 14 | 9 | 3 | 2 |
| 4 | New York Islanders | .619 | 42 | 26 | 13 | 3 |
| 5 | Minnesota Wild | .615 | 26 | 16 | 7 | 3 |
| 6 | Montreal Canadiens | .571 | 35 | 20 | 8 | 7 |
| 7 | Buffalo Sabres | .571 | 35 | 20 | 12 | 3 |
| 8 | Detroit Red Wings | .545 | 33 | 18 | 12 | 3 |
| 9 | Anaheim Ducks | .537 | 41 | 22 | 17 | 2 |
| 10 | San Jose Sharks | .519 | 52 | 27 | 21 | 4 |
| 11 | Pittsburgh Penguins | .514 | 35 | 18 | 11 | 6 |
| 12 | Boston Bruins | .500 | 40 | 20 | 17 | 3 |
| 13 | New Jersey Devils | .481 | 27 | 13 | 14 | 0 |
| 14 | Seattle Kraken | .462 | 52 | 24 | 20 | 8 |
| 15 | Toronto Maple Leafs | .419 | 31 | 13 | 14 | 4 |
| 16 | St. Louis Blues | .409 | 44 | 18 | 21 | 5 |
| 17 | Chicago Blackhawks | .397 | 58 | 23 | 26 | 9 |
| 18 | Nashville Predators | .395 | 43 | 17 | 19 | 7 |
| 19 | Los Angeles Kings | .391 | 23 | 9 | 11 | 3 |
| 20 | Ottawa Senators | .389 | 18 | 7 | 8 | 3 |
| 21 | Columbus Blue Jackets | .378 | 37 | 14 | 19 | 4 |
| 22 | Washington Capitals | .350 | 20 | 7 | 9 | 4 |
| 23 | Philadelphia Flyers | .350 | 40 | 14 | 16 | 10 |
| 24 | Calgary Flames | .348 | 46 | 16 | 23 | 7 |
| 25 | New York Rangers | .333 | 36 | 12 | 19 | 5 |
| 26 | Utah Mammoth | .318 | 22 | 7 | 15 | 0 |
| 27 | Vegas Golden Knights | .300 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
| 28 | Vancouver Canucks | .286 | 49 | 14 | 29 | 6 |
| 29 | Edmonton Oilers | .250 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| 30 | Winnipeg Jets | .208 | 24 | 5 | 14 | 5 |
| 31 | Carolina Hurricanes | .200 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| 32 | Colorado Avalanche | .000 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
How Often Do Underdogs Win in the NHL?
During the 2024-25 NHL season, underdogs won at a 39.1% clip.
Among the four major leagues, only Major League Baseball saw upsets at a higher frequency during their corresponding season, with 42% of underdogs pulling off the win.
Between 2015 and 2020, however, that gap was even smaller, as NHL underdogs won at a 41.4% clip, just behind MLB’s 41.6% rate.
How Often Do Underdogs Cover in the NHL?
Underdogs covered the puck line by +1.5 at roughly a 60% clip according to a 2024-25 Daily Faceoff study of betting trends.
Specifically, younger, rebuilding teams such as the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks, both led by young budding cores, did better than expected against the puck line.
On the other end of the spectrum, older teams that disappointed, including the Rangers, Bruins, and Predators, did worse than expected against the puck line.
The content provided in this blog is intended for entertainment purposes only. All views and opinions expressed are the authors and reflect their individual perspectives on sports, betting, and related topics. This content should not be considered professional betting advice or the official views of BetMGM LLC. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know is experiencing issues related to gambling, seek help from a licensed health professional. This blog is not liable for any losses, damages, or consequences resulting from betting activities.
