The 2024 NHL playoffs are set to kick off this weekend, which means it is time to get your Stanley Cup wagers in at online betting sites.
If you are looking for help with betting on this year’s Stanley Cup winner, we have you covered. Below, we’ll share the three teams our USA Legal Betting experts are betting on, giving you everything needed to bet confidently at NHL betting sites ahead of the playoffs.
Odds to win Stanley Cup: +700 at FanDuel Sportsbook
The Panthers salvaged the final stretch of their season by winnings five of their last six games. It was a promising run after they lost nine of their previous 12. While the cold streak does cause some concern about their Stanley Cup hopes, there are a couple of reasons that our experts still like them.
First is their depth. This is a team that is loaded with talent on all their lines, making them hard to beat regardless of who is on the ice. Their offense cooled off towards the end of the season, but they have made up for it with elite goalie play.
Starter Sergei Bobrovsky finished third in the league in goals against average (2.37) His backup, Anthony Stolarz, led the league in the same category (2.03 GAA) as well as save percentage (.925). Stolarz could be a wildcard in the playoffs, but we have seen “Playoff Bob” step up time and time again.
On top of their talent, the Panthers also have valuable experience from last year’s run to the Stanley Cup Finals. They beat some great teams to make it there, showing they have the fortitude needed to win this time of year.
Odds to win Stanley Cup: +800 at BetMGM Sportsbook
We have some concerns about the Avs ability to play defense, but they more than make up for it with offense. Star Nathan MacKinnon had the best offensive season in the franchise’s history, helping Colorado lead the league in scoring (3.67 GF/G) and points (812). The team also saw winger Mikko Rantanen put up his second consecutive 100-point season.
The Avs offensive weapons immediately make them a serious threat to win another Stanley Cup. However, they’ll need goalie Alexandar Georgiev to turn things around. The 28-year-old took a step back in his second year as the top netminder, thanks in part to a weaker defense in front of him.
We like Georgiev to turn things around during the playoffs. We saw how good he was as a starter last season, ranking towards the top of the league in goals against average (2.60) and saver percentage (.915). That success continued into last year’s playoffs, where Georgiev put up near identical numbers. Some goalies have an extra gear come playoff time, and we think Georgiev is one of them.
Odds to win Stanley Cup: +800 at BetRivers Sportsbook
Betting on New York teams can be a risk in any sport, but we love this Rangers squad. One big reason for that is their balance. New York finished in the top ten of the league in scoring (3.39 GF/G) and goals against (2.76 GA/G), resulting in an impressive point differential of +53.
Their impressive balance comes from their loaded roster. Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox, and Igor Shesterkin all are among the best players at their position, and they lead a core of players that has been together for a few years now. While they haven’t won anything, the familiarity built between the players have led to a lot of wins.
As long as the Rangers can stay healthy, we absolutely love them at their current price from BetRivers.
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