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Who will win the Stanley Cup? The season, odds, math and probability collide on picking a favorite

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Playoffs-What Are The Odds Hockey

FILE - Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues, left, reacts after scoring against Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Nov. 16, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, file)

(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

STEPHEN WHYNO

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5 min read

Everybody's got a hunch this time of year, a thought about the so-called Presidents' Trophy “curse” or maybe a dark horse Stanley Cup pick.

Only one team of the 16 in the NHL playoffs gets to be champion, and even before the first round begins Saturday, there is rampant disagreement on who the favorite actually is.