Canes, Stars Top Stanley Cup Round 1 Odds Update
Top Contenders Remain Per the Latest Update
NHL Stanley Cup Round 1 Odds Update
As we now get closer to the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs’ Conference Semifinals, we take a look at the current NHL betting odds. Which teams have the shortest odds to win the Stanley Cup? We highlight some of the clubs that have already advanced from their first-round matchups. Here’s a glance at the Stanley Cup Round 1 odds as of May 2, 2024
Favorites
Carolina Hurricanes
Current Odds: +390
After a 6-3 victory on Game Five against the New York Islanders, the Carolina Hurricanes clinched a 4-1 series victory. They advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals to play another New York team: the Rangers.
Center Seth Jarvis leads the club in points with seven this postseason, scoring three goals and four assists. Forward Stefan Noesen scored three goals in the opening round series, along with a solid highlight-reel goal in Game Five, just eight seconds after the Canes took a 4-3 lead late in the contest.
Goaltender Frederik Anderson played all five games, stopping 124 of the 136 shots faced. The Danish netminder has won 13 of his last 15 starts going back to March 7th.
Edmonton Oilers
Current Odds: +470
One of the favorites in the Western Conference NHL Rankings all season long, the Edmonton Oilers picked up a 4-3 home win against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night to close out the First Round series in five games.
Superstar Connor McDavid recorded eleven assists, giving him the seventh-most assists in a playoff series all-time. He was just two shy from Wayne Gretzky, who had 13 assists with the same franchise back in 1987. Teammate Leon Draisaitl had 15 just two years ago against their rival, the Calgary Flames.
Veteran forward Zack Hyman continued his hot scoring run, netting seven goals and an assist in the five contests against Los Angeles.
Middle Range
Florida Panthers
Current Odds: +500
The reigning, defending Eastern Conference Champions, the Florida Panthers, took out their rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games. They beat the “Bolts” 6-1 in Sunrise on Wednesday to wrap up the series.
Forward Carter Verhaeghe scored five goals and four assists in the five NHL games, while Matthew Tkachuk recorded six assists with three goals to lead the club with nine points in total.
Colorado Avalanche
Current Odds: +600
One of the sharpest offensive teams in the NHL, the Colorado Avalanche were able to settle things down after losing their first game. They lost 7-6 against the Winnipeg Jets but closed out their first-round series with a “Gentleman’s Sweep” of five games.
The Avs’ power play exposed the Jets’ penchant for taking penalties. They scored six goals with the man advantage. Forwards Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon, and defenseman Cale Makar each had seven assists in the five contests. Winger Valeri Nischuskin scored seven goals.
Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, who allowed seven goals in Game 1, rebounded to make 126 saves on the 140 shots he faced in the remainder of the series. He helped Colorado advance to the Western Conference Semifinals for the fifth time in six years.
Lower Tier
Dallas Stars
Current Odds: +650
The top team in the NHL Rankings from the Western Conference, the Dallas Stars are one victory away from the Conference Semifinals. A date with the Colorado Avalanche awaits them after they got a gritty 3-2 win at home against the Vegas Golden Knights. They are just one win away from moving on, hence why they have short NHL Round 1 odds update series.
Goaltender Jake Oettinger has stopped 123 of 135 total shots faced and he continues to be perfect during the third period of this series. Forwards Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson each have three goals in the series while defenseman Miro Heiskanen has four assists over the last five contests.
New York Rangers
Current Odds: +700
It’s been 30 years since the “Blueshirts” went to the NHL Finals and picked up Lord Stanley’s Cup. But this year’s Rangers were the only hockey team to pick up a sweep in the first round. They held Alex Ovechkin scoreless and disposed of the Washington Capitals with no issues.
Forward Mika Zibanejad picked up a goal and six assists to lead the squad with seven points, while veteran center Vincent Trochek scored three goals in the series. Ten different players combined for 15 total goals in the four games played.
This concludes our NHL Round One odds update, Check out more on NHL today’s Hockey Scores and more over at PointSpreads.com.
