This season’s playoff is heating up and teams are gearing up, it’s a good time to look at which teams are on fire, who are faltering and are on the verge of missing out on the chance to compete for Lord Stanley’s Cup.
With the NHL postseason rapidly approaching, the Colorado Avalanche currently lead the Stanley Cup odds at +380, followed by the Florida Panthers at +550 and Calgary Flames at +900. Now, Toronto Maple Leafs are rounding up as part of the top five favorites with odds the same as Calgary while the Carolina Hurricanes are favored by +1000.
The aforementioned teams being the current Stanley Cup favorites and top five contenders in the most recent Stanley Cup odds.
What Is The Stanley Cup?
The Stanley Cup is a trophy handed to the Stanley Cup victors of the amateur National Hockey League (NHL). This championship is conducted every year as the last big game of the NHL season.
The NHL teams who are qualified for the playoffs compete in an elimination tournament based on how well each team did this season. Eight teams from each region make it to the playoffs.
After the first round and second round, the tournament moves on to the next round, and so on, until the opportunity to secure the Stanley Cup title.
Top Five Betting Favorites
The NHL season is in its last three weeks, and still, there are plenty of opportunities to find great values on Stanley Cup odds, as there is still plenty of hockey to be played. So let’s now dive into the top five betting favorites in the 2022 Stanley Cup Odds.
Colorado Avalanche (+380)
The Avalanche’s +375 odds aren’t all that shocking, given that they have talents like Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon in their ranks. Moreover, Colorado has easily been the league’s best team this season, sweeping 50 of their 70 games to date and amassing 106 points, more than anyone in the league.
Thus, it is fair to say that the Colorado Avalanche has been the most outstanding team in the NHL this season and that they should be the favorite in Stanley Cup odds. They finished first in the Western Conference with 82 points, the most in the league.
Florida Panthers (+550)
The Florida Panthers were quite successful last season, coming second in the Central Division with 79 points in 56 games, but they could not reproduce that form in the playoffs, losing to the Lightning in the first round.
However, the Panthers are the heavy favorites to win the Eastern Conference and made plenty of acquisitions at the trade deadline. They were able to get top-six forward Claude Giroux as well as top-four defenseman Ben Chiarot in the process.
They’ve gained 49 of their last 70 matches, with the Panthers taking 8 of their last ten. Additionally, they have the most goals this season, with 294 at a pace of just over four per match, with Florida also boasting a reasonably solid defense despite allowing 210. Thus, the Panthers have clearly been one of the league’s most remarkable teams thus far this season, with Florida scoring the second-most points of any team.
Calgary Flames (+900)
The Flames enter the final run of the season as the third favorite, with their odds set at +850 even though they are currently atop the Pacific Division. They’ve lost 19 games this year, which is the fourth-fewest number in the league, and their record thus far makes them a lock to enter the postseason.
Moreover, the Calgary Flames, who have been one of the league’s hottest teams over the previous month, demonstrated their commitment to winning now by selling off a star player and first-round selection to obtain experienced sharpshooter Tyler Toffoli from Montreal just before the deadline.
Toronto Maple Leafs (+900)
The Toronto Maple Leafs, who have risen from +1,300 to +900, are leading the charge. This offense is on fire right now, led by Hart Trophy frontrunner Auston Matthews, who has a total goal of 54 this season.
Recent victories over the Jets, Panthers, and Bruins have significantly increased their chances of winning Lord Stanley, as they already sit second in the Atlantic Division, garnering a points of 96 and a record of 45-17-8.
Carolina Hurricanes (+1000)
The Hurricanes performed admirably during the regular season last year, winning 36 of their 56 games and collecting an 80-point total, which only two teams were able to match. Unfortunately, they were knocked off from the postseason in the second round by Tampa Bay, who ended up winning the Stanley Cup.
They’ve gone 45 from 70 thus far this season while possessing the league’s best defense, and their odds have been reduced to +1000. As a result, bookmakers have begun to favor the Hurricanes more and more as their excellent season continues.
Final Thoughts
With the NHL season entering its final three weeks, there is plenty of time to root for your preferred team to win the Stanley Cup. Don’t forget to wager on your favorites. But, above all, remember to have fun!
