NHL Stanley Cup
- Matchup: Golden Knights vs Panthers
- Date: June 3rd – June 13th, 2023
- City: Las Vegas, Nevada
- Stadium: T-Mobile Arena
- 2023 Winner:
Vegas Golden Knights
2023 NHL Stanley Cup Recap & Score
NHL PostSeason
The NHL postseason is an exciting time for hockey fans around the world. It typically begins in April and extends into early June, featuring the top teams from the regular season competing for the coveted Stanley Cup. Every season, 16 teams compete in a series of best-of-seven matchups to determine the ultimate champion and winner of the Stanley Cup.
The playoff format consists of four rounds, starting with the Conference Quarterfinals. The top three teams from each division earn automatic berths, while the remaining two spots in each conference are awarded to wild card teams based on their point totals. The playoffs are structured such that the top-seeded team in each division faces the wild card team with the lowest point total, while the second and third seeds in each division compete against each other.
The intensity of the NHL postseason is unparalleled, with teams giving their all in pursuit of victory. As the playoffs progress, the matchups become increasingly challenging, leading to thrilling series and captivating moments. The Conference Semifinals see the winners from the previous round within each division competing against each other. The two teams that emerge victorious from the Conference Semifinals advance to the Conference Finals, where they battle it out for a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Stanley Cup Finals is the culmination of the NHL postseason, showcasing the two conference champions facing off against each other in a best-of-seven series. The team that wins four games first is crowned the champion and earns the honor of hoisting the iconic Stanley Cup. The Finals are filled with anticipation, excitement, and memorable moments as the two teams leave everything on the ice to claim hockey’s most prestigious trophy
Throughout the NHL postseason, fans can engage in various forms of hockey betting. Stanley Cup Playoffs odds are available in many markets that open as soon as the previous season ends. The most popular market is the outright Stanley Cup Champion, where bettors can bet on the next champions.
NHL Playoff Format
Date: April 19th to April 21st
In the first round, known as the “Conference Quarterfinals,” the top seed in each division faces off against the fourth seed, while the second and third seeds battle each other.
Date: May 1st – 2nd (possibly April 29th -30th)
The winners of the first round series advance to the second round, known as the “Conference Semifinals,” where they compete within their respective divisions. The two teams that emerge victorious from each divisional bracket then proceed to the “Conference Finals.”
Date: May 16th – 17th (possibly May 14th – 15th)
The Conference Finals determine the champions of the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. These two teams then face each other in the ultimate showdown, known as the “Stanley Cup Finals.”
Date: June 1st and potentially until June 18th.
The team that wins four out of seven games in the Finals is crowned the NHL champion and hoists the Stanley Cup.
Stanley Cup Odds & Puck Line
The Stanley Cup odds display as either a negative number like -300 or a plus number like +200. The former is a favorite implying a higher probability of winning, and the latter is the underdog, indicating a lower chance of winning. The lower the number, the higher the chance of winning.
These odds are “American odds”. A negative number indicates how much you have to wager to win $100, so for -300, a wager of $300 is needed. On the other hand, the plus number shows your exact payout when you wager $100; this means that for +200, you win $200 for betting $100.
Alternatively, you can switch the format to decimal and fractional.
How To Read the Stanley Cup Puck Line
To read the puckline for Stanley Cup odds, it’s essential to understand its significance and how it relates to betting on NHL games. The puckline is a type of spread bet specific to hockey, similar to a point spread in other sports. When looking at the puckline, there are two key components: the plus or minus sign and the associated number. The plus sign (+) indicates the underdog, while the minus sign (-) signifies the favorite.
When the puckline is displayed as a positive number, such as +1.5, it means the underdog team is given a 1.5-goal advantage. In this scenario, the underdog must either win the game outright or lose by one goal to cover the puckline. On the other hand, when the puckline is shown as a negative number, like -1.5, it indicates that the favorite team is favored by 1.5 goals. To cover the puckline, the favorite must win by at least two goals.
Reading the puckline for Stanley Cup odds requires analyzing the game lines provided by sportsbooks. These lines include the puckline, money line, and total goals. The puckline odds provide insights into how the sportsbook views the matchup and the potential margin of victory. By considering factors such as team performance, statistics, and injury updates, bettors can make informed decisions when betting on the puckline.
Additionally, it’s important to evaluate trends, statistics, and the overall performance of the teams involved in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Analyzing past matchups, recent form, and the strengths and weaknesses of each team can help identify potential opportunities when betting on the puckline. Keep in mind that the odds and lines can change leading up to the game, so staying updated with the latest information and adjusting strategies accordingly is crucial.
Ultimately, reading the puckline for Stanley Cup odds involves understanding the concept of the puckline, analyzing game lines provided by sportsbooks, and conducting thorough research on the teams and their performance. By combining these elements, bettors can make informed decisions and increase their chances of success when betting on the NHL postseason.
Betting on the Stanley Cup
Betting on the Stanley Cup Playoffs can be done with outrights or futures. You can bet any NHL team to win the Cup provided they still have odds on the board. Like the stock market, their prices will either shorten or lengthen, depending on how they are performing.
Not only can you bet on a team to win the Stanley Cup, but you can also bet on teams to either make or not make the playoffs.
Once the Stanley Cup is underway, other markets you can look at are the series prices: who wins a series, how many games it will go to, etc. Of course, you can bet on the individual games, from the puck line (point spreads) to the moneyline, to the totals.
What Is the NHL Stanley Cup?
Many say the Stanley Cup is the “hardest trophy to win in pro sports”. Given the rough and sometimes arbitrary nature of NHL hockey, there might be some truth to this. Thus, a winning bet on the Stanley Cup Playoffs could feel like hitting the lottery.
The postseason starts around the spring but Stanley Cup Playoffs odds are available for most of the year. You can wager on the next Stanley Cup champion as early as the next day after a team wins it. Do this through “Futures” bets on the sportsbook.
Like most championships in professional team sports, the Stanley Cup has been won only by select franchises. As the oldest existing trophy to be awarded in pro sports, there have been hundreds of teams which have lifted the championship trophy.
Canadian teams have won the most, with the Montreal Canadiens winning 24 followed by the Toronto Maple Leafs with 13. The Detroit Red Wings are third with 11, the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks are next with six each, and at five we have the Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton Oilers.
NHL Stanley Cup - FAQs
What is the format of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs
When was the last time a Canada-based team won the Stanley Cup?
How are the matchups determined in the Stanley Cup First Round?
