Breaking Down the NHL Playoff Odds: Teams to Watch and What to Expect
The 2024 NHL Playoffs are in full swing, and they are delivering the intense, nail-biting action that all of us hockey fans live for. Honestly, it's our favorite time of the year. However, for sports bettors, there's nothing more critical than the NHL Playoff odds to help steer your bets.
With the Vegas Golden Knights defending their title and the New York Rangers aiming to capitalize on their Presidents' Trophy win, the stage is set for a series of unforgettable battles on the ice and we're already getting a glimpse of it after just a few games.
What's at Stake?
This year's playoffs follow the usual narrative of high stakes and fierce competition. The format pits division winners against wild card teams in a best-of-seven series, which ultimately means that every game could be a turning point, even for the lowest underdog.
Home-ice advantage, which is paramount in the playoffs, is awarded to the higher seed in the first two rounds and then to the team with the most regular-season points in the conference finals and Stanley Cup Final.
Key Contenders and Their Odds of Winning the Stanley Cup
Let's take a look at some of the standout teams and their chances of lifting the Stanley Cup.
Carolina Hurricanes: +460
The Hurricanes have kicked off their playoffs with commanding wins over the New York Islanders. Their aggressive play and strategic execution make them a dark horse in the race for the cup. We think the +460 is pretty accurate.
Florida Panthers: +650
Taking the #1 seed in the Atlantic Division says something about the Panthers. However, they were still 3rd overall in the Eastern Conference. Despite this, they've been laying a whooping on the Tampa Bay Lightning, and they've got a two-game lead on the other Florida team. That's the reason their NHL Playoff odds are at +650; we think they can go all the way.
New York Rangers: +750
The Rangers, having clinched the Presidents' Trophy, have been the favorites since the start of the NHL playoffs, but the odds change throughout the series. Their solid performance in the regular season (55-23-4) has given them a slight edge over their competitors. They've started strong against the Washington Capitals, suggesting they could go all the way.
Vegas Golden Knights: +1000
The defending champions are not far behind. Despite being a wild card entry, their experience and resilience make them a challenging opponent for any team in the playoffs. Their first-game victory over the Dallas Stars has set a promising tone for their campaign for the cup.
Dallas Stars: +1200
As the top seed in the Western Conference, the Stars have shown they can lead the pack. However, their initial stumble against the Golden Knights could indicate vulnerabilities that need addressing if they are to advance.
Boston Bruins: +1500
After a mixed start against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Bruins have shown flashes of brilliance. They will need to harness this consistently to progress deeper into the playoffs. We were expecting better odds than +1500 for the Bruins, but their slow start in round 1 is what changed those. Keep an eye on the Bruins.
Teams Facing Uphill Battles
Not every team enters the playoffs on equal footing. Here are a couple of teams that, while not out of the race, face tougher odds than the rest.
Toronto Maple Leafs: +2000
The Maple Leafs have had a rocky start against the Bruins. They'll need to leverage their young talent and ramp up their defense to reverse their fortunes for the upcoming games. We're hoping to see some more production from Matthews and Marner, and then we'll see the Leafs NHL Playoff odds bump up a bit.
Nashville Predators: +6500
Facing the top-seeded Vancouver Canucks, the Predators have struggled to find their rhythm. That's to be expected from a team that barely got into the playoffs as a wildcard. They will need to regroup quickly to make an impact in their upcoming games.
Washington Capitals: +25000
Inching into the NHL Playoffs by the skin of their teeth and securing the last wildcard slot, the Caps had an uphill battle from the beginning. Given that they're down 0-2 in the series against the NY Rangers, we don't see them panning out. In fact, it may be a sweep. So, with their odds sitting at +25,000, that seems about right.
The Role of Home-Ice Advantage
In the NHL playoffs, the importance of home-ice advantage cannot be overstated.
Teams with the higher seed not only enjoy the support of their home crowd but also benefit from the last change, allowing them better matchups on the fly.
This advantage is already proving evident in teams like the Rangers and Hurricanes, who have capitalized on their home games to take early leads in their series, thus affecting the odds of the NHL playoff.
What's Next in the Playoffs?
As we go deeper into the series, the intensity will only increase.
Upcoming games are critical for teams like the Dallas Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs, who have to leverage their home-ice advantage to even the odds.
On the other hand, underdogs like the Nashville Predators and the Washington Capitals need groundbreaking performances to upset their higher-seeded adversaries. Frankly, we don't think they stand a chance, but weirder things have happened.
The playoffs are a test of endurance, strategy, and sheer willpower. Every game, every period, every moment counts. With the current matchups and the drama they promise, the race for the 2024 Stanley Cup is likely to be one for the ages.
Be sure to keep tabs on the odds and even hunt down the best odds from various sportsbooks before placing a bet. Just because DraftKings is showing a +460 for the Hurricanes doesn't mean you can't find a +470 or even a +480 on another sportsbook.