There’s a week left in the NHL’s regular season, and the bulk of the playoff teams have been decided. For those who can’t wait to bet on the NHL playoffs, why not get an early start? This betting guide will offer some insight into some of the best remaining value on futures bets as the regular season winds down.
Stanley Cup Winner – Tampa Bay Lightning (+1000) and Carolina Hurricanes (+1100)
The Colorado Avalanche have sat atop this list for the bulk of the season, and the Florida Panthers have sizzled their way to the front of the Presidents’ Trophy chase. The NHL’s best regular-season record has been kryptonite for almost a decade, as the last Presidents’ Trophy winner to also hoist the Stanley Cup was the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks. We only have to go back as far as the last winner of the last two Cups to find value on the futures side.
The Tampa Bay Lightning (+1000) still have a lot of value for people who want to bet them to hoist the Cup for the third consecutive season. All the Lightning have done is win the last two Cups, and they’re heating up. Tampa has won six of their last eight, hanging eight goals on both the Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs during that stretch. They’re gearing up again, so getting 10-1 odds on them wouldn’t be the worst play in the world.
Another high-value number is the Carolina Hurricanes (+1100). They’re getting good goaltending, and they’ve hung with the heavyweights all season. The Panthers have given them trouble, but two of Carolina’s losses to Florida came in overtime. This is a team that can play with anybody, and this is a good number for a team that’s been amongst the NHL’s front-runners all season.
Western Conference Winner – St. Louis Blues (+1000)
The St. Louis Blues are the only Western Conference team to win a Stanley Cup in the last six seasons. The Blues (+1000) are underdogs to get back there, but not as big as you’d think. Against the other four teams that have already clinched playoff spots, the Blues are a combined 7-3-1 this season. Add in a 13-0-2 record over their last 15, and the Blues look poised for a decent run.
The Blues have eight 20-goal scorers and a goaltender in Ville Husso who hasn’t lost in regulation in almost a month. This team has scoring depth and a defense that has allowed the third-fewest goals in the Western Conference this season. St. Louis is a staggering +2200 to win the Stanley Cup, and that might be a tall order. However, their performance against the other top teams in the West, along with their recent play, makes them an interesting prospect to entertain a small wager on at 10-1.
Of course, this isn’t saying any of these teams are a lock to win the Stanley Cup or Western Conference. However, there is definite value that’s worth looking at in all of these teams, and all these odds are almost certain to dip the instant any of these teams wins a playoff game.
Odds via Yahoo and BetMGM
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