by Sean Murphy
Thursday, Apr 25, 2024We're almost a week into the NHL Playoffs with every series having completed at least two games. As you would expect, we've seen some considerable shifts in Stanley Cup futures odds. Here's a look at some of the biggest moves and what to make of them as the opening round continues.
Vegas Golden Knights: 8-1
The Golden Knights entered their opening round series with the Dallas Stars as considerable underdogs. Not only did they steal home ice advantage with a victory in the opener but they went on to win Game 2 as well, taking a 2-0 series strangle-hold as the series moves to Las Vegas for Game 3 on Saturday. Note that the Knights have been terrific at home this season going 27-14. Looking ahead, the Knights would match up with the winner of the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche series next round. The Knights would undoubtedly be underdogs in that series as well but given the current wave the defending champions are riding (five wins in last six games) it might not be in your best interest to line up against them.
Vancouver Canucks: 21-1
The Canucks got some tough news following their 4-2 series-opening win over the Predators as they lost starting goaltender Thatcher Demko for an indefinite period of time with a lower body injury. That combined with the Canucks Game 2 defeat sent their Stanley Cup odds tumbling. I haven't been all that high on the Canucks all season but did cash a ticket with them in Game 1 against Nashville. At this point, Demko's status is critical as backup Casey DeSmith while serviceable simply isn't on the same level. Of course, it's important to remember the Golden Knights rode backup Adin Hill to a Stanley Cup victory last year while the Penguins lost starter Matt Murray during one of their Cup runs opening the door for Marc-Andre Fleury. DeSmith isn't Hill or Fleury though and I'm not counting on the Canucks to survive this round (or potentially next against the Oilers or Kings).
Colorado Avalanche: 10-1
The Avalanche were going to see their Stanley Cup odds take a major tumble were it not for their impressive 5-2 victory in Game 2 in Winnipeg. All of Colorado's defensive warts were on full display in Game 1 as they allowed seven goals in a game that wasn't as close as the final score indicated. Use caution when betting the Avs to go all the way at a not-so-favorable price as the Jets have proven to be road warriors this season, going 25-16 on the highway including a 7-0 rout in their last stop in Denver. Colorado can score with the best of them but still has major concerns between the pipes. Looking ahead to a potential second round matchup, neither the Jets or Avalanche present lightweight challenges.
New York Rangers: 7.5-1
I would give strong consideration to betting the Blueshirts at this price, not to mention at nearly 4-1 to win the Eastern Conference. New York is off to a 2-0 start to its series with Washington but neither victory came in landslide fashion as some were expecting. As a result, the Rangers odds have been tempered somewhat as their opening round series shifts to Washington for Game 3. Of course, the impressive nature of the Hurricanes and the Panthers also serves to hold New York's Stanley Cup prospects in check. I have been high on the Rangers all season and didn't see anything in the first two games that would lead me to stay away from them moving forward. If anything I came away encouraged by some of their secondary scorers chipping in, most notably Alexis Lafreniere who is quietly enjoying a breakout campaign.
Vegas Golden Knights: 8-1
The Golden Knights entered their opening round series with the Dallas Stars as considerable underdogs. Not only did they steal home ice advantage with a victory in the opener but they went on to win Game 2 as well, taking a 2-0 series strangle-hold as the series moves to Las Vegas for Game 3 on Saturday. Note that the Knights have been terrific at home this season going 27-14. Looking ahead, the Knights would match up with the winner of the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche series next round. The Knights would undoubtedly be underdogs in that series as well but given the current wave the defending champions are riding (five wins in last six games) it might not be in your best interest to line up against them.
Vancouver Canucks: 21-1
The Canucks got some tough news following their 4-2 series-opening win over the Predators as they lost starting goaltender Thatcher Demko for an indefinite period of time with a lower body injury. That combined with the Canucks Game 2 defeat sent their Stanley Cup odds tumbling. I haven't been all that high on the Canucks all season but did cash a ticket with them in Game 1 against Nashville. At this point, Demko's status is critical as backup Casey DeSmith while serviceable simply isn't on the same level. Of course, it's important to remember the Golden Knights rode backup Adin Hill to a Stanley Cup victory last year while the Penguins lost starter Matt Murray during one of their Cup runs opening the door for Marc-Andre Fleury. DeSmith isn't Hill or Fleury though and I'm not counting on the Canucks to survive this round (or potentially next against the Oilers or Kings).
Colorado Avalanche: 10-1
The Avalanche were going to see their Stanley Cup odds take a major tumble were it not for their impressive 5-2 victory in Game 2 in Winnipeg. All of Colorado's defensive warts were on full display in Game 1 as they allowed seven goals in a game that wasn't as close as the final score indicated. Use caution when betting the Avs to go all the way at a not-so-favorable price as the Jets have proven to be road warriors this season, going 25-16 on the highway including a 7-0 rout in their last stop in Denver. Colorado can score with the best of them but still has major concerns between the pipes. Looking ahead to a potential second round matchup, neither the Jets or Avalanche present lightweight challenges.
New York Rangers: 7.5-1
I would give strong consideration to betting the Blueshirts at this price, not to mention at nearly 4-1 to win the Eastern Conference. New York is off to a 2-0 start to its series with Washington but neither victory came in landslide fashion as some were expecting. As a result, the Rangers odds have been tempered somewhat as their opening round series shifts to Washington for Game 3. Of course, the impressive nature of the Hurricanes and the Panthers also serves to hold New York's Stanley Cup prospects in check. I have been high on the Rangers all season and didn't see anything in the first two games that would lead me to stay away from them moving forward. If anything I came away encouraged by some of their secondary scorers chipping in, most notably Alexis Lafreniere who is quietly enjoying a breakout campaign.
