The 2024 NHL Staney Cup Playoffs are underway. The favorites to start the playoffs, Carolina and Florida in the East and Edmonton and Colorado in the West haven’t played up to their standards. Carolina is rocking. The Hurricanes are playing so well that their odds to win the Cup have fallen to +460. Another team that had a great start are the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights.
How have the odds changed since the the playoffs dropped first puck?
The NHL Playoffs are in full swing, and the race for Lord Stanley’s Cup is heating up! Don’t miss out on the excitement, check out Stanley Cup odds and analysis to see who the experts predict will rise above the rest and claim ultimate hockey glory!
Stanley Cup Odds to Win After Postseason Start | MyBookie NHL Preview of the Teams Fighting for the Title
2024 NHL Season | 107th season of the National Hockey League
Stanley Cup Playoffs: Saturday, April 20 – Thursday, June 16, 2024
Updated Stanley Cup Odds Suggest this Year’s Winner Hails from the Eastern Conference
The Hurricanes, Panthers, and Rangers are playing terrific hockey. All three teams won their first games. Carolina is 2-0 versus the New York Islanders.
The Hurricanes look like a solid play to win it all. Heading into the playoffs, the Panthers were a slight favorite over Carolina, but after the Hurricanes stunning 5-3 victory over the Islanders, the odds on Carolina plummeted to +460.
The Panthers beat the Lightning 3-2 in their first round game. Florida and Tampa throw down on Tuesday night in game 2. A victory by the Lightning would show softness in Florida’s odds, but a Panthers’ win would send Tampa into the Islanders and Capitals odds category.
NHL Bettors Expect Vegas or Edmonton to Lift the Western Conference Banner
The odds on the Vegas Golden Knights dropped 5 points from +1400 to +900 after the Knights vanquished Central winner Dallas 4-3. It’s going to be difficult the Stars to come back from the 1-0 deficit, which is why Dallas’ odds skyrocketed from +500 to +1200, because the Knights are in playoff mode. The defending champs are looking for a repeat.
Edmonton scored 7 goals in a masterful 7-4 game 1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. The Oilers were on fire in every way imaginable. Edmonton, for sure, appears ready for a deep playoff run.
Stanley Cup Contenders and Dark Horses After the Start to the Playoffs
Stanley Cup Contenders
- Carolina Hurricanes +460
- Florida Panthers +650
- New York Rangers +650
- Edmonton Oilers +600
- Vegas Golden Knights +900
The favorite is playing excellent hockey. What makes Carolina scary is that Frederik Anderson had a bad game, he gave up 3 goals on just 12 shots, but the Hurricanes still managed a 2-goal, puck line victory.
Both Florida and the Rangers have yet to play their game 2. So we let’s wait before considering a Stanley Cup bet on either. The odds won’t change much because Carolina is playing so well.
Edmonton looks solid. The 7-3 win over the Kings was legit. If the Oilers offense continues to hum, then Edmonton will be difficult to beat for the Western Conference crown.
The Knights not only beat Dallas, but they beat the Stars on the Stars’ ice. So give Vegas a big shot to complete the repeat. Right now, Vegas is the play. The odds move is significant after single game.
Stanley Cup Dark Horses
NHL Best Bet: Vegas Golden Knights | MyBookie NHL Odds
MyBookie NHL Game Odds
Stanley Cup Dark Horses
- Vancouver Canucks +1100
- Colorado Avalanche +1300
- Winnipeg Jets +1400
Winnipeg beat Colorado in their first game. However, the Avs scored 6 goals and the game was over Winnipeg’s ice. What that tells us is that Colorado is the likely winner in the series. Once it switches back to the Avalanche’s ice, Colorado should put a stake into Winnipeg’s heart.
Vancouver is the wild card. The Canucks looked good when dispatching of Nashville 4-2. But we can’t read too much into the victory because Vancouver beat arguably this season’s worst playoff team after the Washington Capitals.
Still, NHL handicappers have been undervaluing Vancouver all season long. So at their odds, the Canucks qualify as, for right now at least, the top dark horse on the board.
Stanley Cup Dark Horses
NHL Best Bet: Vancouver Canucks | MyBookie NHL Odds
MyBookie NHL Game Odds
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NHL Spreads for the Games
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