2017 NHL Stanley Cup Matchups Odds

With the start of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs set to get underway on April 12, hockey betting odds enthusiasts everywhere are starting to look at the teams that have the best chances of hoisting this year’s Stanley Cup championship hardware.

Thankfully, hockey bettors everywhere can start wagering on the potential Stanley Cup championship pairings right now. Let’s get started with a quick look at the last five Stanley Cup winners.

In Depth Analysis On The 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Matchups Odds

Stanley Cup History (2012-2016)

2012 Los Angeles Kings vs. New Jersey Devils
2013 Chicago Blackhawks vs. Boston Bruins
2014 Los Angeles Kings vs. New York Rangers
2015 Chicago Blackhawks vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
2016 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. San Jose Sharks

Okay, let’s get started with a look at some of the most intriguing 2017 Stanley Cup Finals potential matchups.

2017 Stanley Cup Possible Matchups

Penguins vs. Sharks 28/1

Last season, the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the San Jose Sharks in six games. However, NHL betting enthusiasts should know that there hasn’t been a Stanley Cup Finals repeat matchup since Pittsburgh and Detroit square off in back-to-back Finals in 2008 and 2009.

Capitals vs. Blackhawks 9/1

The Caps have cooled off in recent weeks, but they will still have a great shot to reach the Stanley Cup Finals as they rank third in scoring (3.2 gpg) and first in defense (2.1 gpg). Chicago has picked up the pace over the last month and will likely hit the postseason as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Hockey fans everywhere would love to see Washington’s Alex Ovechkin (61 pts) go up against Chicago’s Patrick Kane (80 pts).

Capitals vs. Wild 21/2

Minnesota ranks second in scoring (3.2 gpg) and have three players ranked inside the top 50 in points. The Wild have been the best team in the West for the vast majority of the season and have plenty of young, fresh legs.

Maple Leafs vs. Blackhawks 70/1

The Leafs are mediocre defensively as they rank 21st in goals allowed (2.8 gpg), but they Toronto can score with the best teams in the league as they also rank sixth in scoring (3.1 gpg) and could give the more experienced, but older, Blackhawks a run for their money if they do meet.

Rangers vs. Oilers 75/1

The New York Rangers are on a red-hot roll and rank fifth in scoring (3.1 gpg) and a solid 11th in defense (2.6 gpg). The Edmonton Oilers have the league’s best scorer in Connor McDavid and rank 11th in scoring (2.8 gpg) and surprising ninth in defense (2.5 gpg). Sure, this is an unlikely pairing, but then again, hockey is definitely a sport where the ‘unlikely’ happens far more often than in other sports.