Connor McDavid and Oilers predicted as 2025 Stanley Cup favorites by Frank Seravalli (Source: Imagn)

NHL insider Frank Seravalli made a bold prediction about Connor McDavid’s chances with the Edmonton Oilers.

After losing the 2024 Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers, McDavid and the Oilers are favorites to go all the way in 2025. Seravalli believes it’s only a matter of when, not if, McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will win the Stanley Cup. He thinks once they win, they could win more titles quickly.

McDavid’s performances in the 2024-25 regular season shows why many believe he’s close to a Cup win. He has scored 15 goals, tied for 38th in the league. His 39 assists rank fourth, while his 54 points are tied for fifth. McDavid’s +12 rating is tied him for 45th in the league. These stats reflect his elite level of play and strong leadership.

“I think it’s a matter of when and not ‘if’ Connor McDavid wins the Stanley Cup and Leon Draisaitl. And then once that happens, to me, another one could follow in relatively short order,” Frank Seravalli said (via Oilersnation.com).

The Edmonton Oilers are the favorites in the West, with +275 odds to win the conference. The Dallas Stars are close behind, with 10-1 odds. The Colorado Avalanche, who made trades to improve their goaltending, are third in the West with 12-1 odds.

In the East, the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs are the top contenders. The Panthers, who won the Cup in 2024, have +375 odds to win the conference. The Maple Leafs and the Hurricanes also have strong chances.

Seravalli’s prediction shows that McDavid and Draisaitl are ready to win. The Edmonton Oilers have a strong roster and are well-positioned for success in 2025.

Edmonton Oilers beat Kraken 4-2 with Leon Draisaitl extending point streak

The Edmonton Oilers won 4-2 over the Seattle Kraken on Saturday. Vasily Podkolzin scored 57 seconds into the game.

He finished a pass from Leon Draisaitl to give Edmonton the lead. Jeff Skinner made it 2-0 at 5:18, receiving a pass from Kasperi Kapanen and scoring over Grubauer’s blocker.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins increased the lead to 3-0 in the second period, one-timing a pass from Connor Brown past Grubauer. Seattle got on the board with Chandler Stephenson’s goal at 15:56. He scored on a 2-on-1 rush, making it 3-1.

Jaden Schwartz scored for Seattle in the third period to cut the lead to 3-2, finishing a rebound from Vince Dunn. Leon Draisaitl then sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 18:02.

Calvin Pickard made 15 saves for the Edmonton Oilers, while Philipp Grubauer stopped 28 shots for Seattle.