The Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins didn’t enter the season or the postseason as the favorites on the odds to win the Stanley Cup at the sportsbooks, but they’re the teams that’ll be on the ice in the Stanley Cup final this week.
Before the lockout-shortened NHL campaign got underway it was the New York Rangers who sat as the 8/1 favorites on the odds to win the Stanley Cup at Bodog, with the Pittsburgh Penguins close behind them on those NHL futures at 17/2 odds. The Bruins were at 12/1 odds on that list, with the Blackhawks at 14/1.
Just prior to the playoffs getting underway the Penguins were listed as the 15/4 favorites on the Stanley Cup odds at Bodog, with the Blackhawks at 4/1 odds, and the Bruins listed at 8/1.
And entering the league’s conference finals just over a week ago it was Sidney Crosby and company who were the 3/2 Bodog favorites on the odds to win the Stanley Cup this spring, with the Blackhawks at 12/5 odds, and the Bruins pegged at 9/2.
However, despite being the favorite on the NHL betting lines at the sportsbooks the Penguins were bounced by the Bruins in the Eastern Conference final in just four games, while the Blackhawks advanced past the Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference final. That sets up a Bruins vs. Hawks Cup final.
Chicago had the best record in the league during the regular season at 36-7-5 for 77 points in 48 games; that made them the top seed in the Western Conference side of the playoff bracket. Boston entered the playoffs as the No. 4 seed in the East after going 28-14-6 for 62 points during the regular season.
That means the Blackhawks have the home-ice advantage in the Stanley Cup final, and the sportsbooks have them listed as the -145 favorites for Game 1 of the series at the United Center on Wednesday night. The Bruins are the +135 road underdogs on the NHL odds for the contest; they’ll get to host Game 3 on June 17.
Stanley Cup Final Schedule
Boston Bruins vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Game 1 – Wed, June 12 – Boston at Chicago, 8pm ET
Game 2 – Sat, June 15 – Boston at Chicago, 8pm ET
Game 3 – Mon, June 17 – Chicago at Boston, 8pm ET
Game 4 – Wed, June 19 – Chicago at Boston, 8pm ET
Game 5 – Sat, June 22 – Boston at Chicago, 8pm ET
Game 6 – Mon, June 24 – Chicago at Boston, 8pm ET
Game 7 – Wed, June 26 – Boston at Chicago, 8pm ET
NHL Conference Final Results
Boston Bruins vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Game 1 – Boston 3, Pittsburgh 0
Game 2 – Boston 6, Pittsburgh 1
Game 3 – Boston 2, Pittsburgh 1
Game 4 – Boston 1, Pittsburgh 0
Los Angeles Kings vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Game 1 – Chicago 2, Los Angeles 1
Game 2 – Chicago 4, Los Angeles 2
Game 3 – Los Angeles 3, Chicago 1
Game 4 – Chicago 3, Los Angeles 2
Game 5 – Chicago 4, Los Angeles 3