The NHL playoff picture is slowly taking shape, but it looks like the final spots in both conferences could come down to the final days of the season. That gives bettors who want to make a big underdog bet on the Stanley Cup odds something to think about.
In the Eastern Conference right now the battle for the last two spots is between the New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings.
As of Thursday the Islanders are in with 87 points. The Flyers and Red Wings both have 83 points, with Philadelphia holding the tiebreaker. The best odds on the Stanley Cup futures at online sportsbook Bodog are naturally going to the Islanders at +2800, while Detroit and Philadelphia are both at +4000.
The Western Conference has a two-team race for the final playoff spot between the Minnesota Wild and the Colorado Avalanche.
The Wild currently hold the eighth spot, one point ahead of Colorado, but the Avalanche have one game in hand. Coincidentally they also meet up in Colorado on Saturday night. Both sides have also won three in a row and are listed at +4000 at Bodog.
Heading to the top of the Stanley Cup odds, the Washington Capitals are still the Bodog favorite at +400.
Earlier this week the Capitals clinched the Metropolitan Division and first place in the Eastern Conference, giving them home-ice advantage through the first three rounds of the playoffs. That might come in handy as the Capitals have only lost six times in regulation at home this season.
The rest of the top five teams on the odds list also remain the same with the Los Angeles Kings at +650, Chicago Blackhawks at +700, Anaheim Ducks at +750, and Dallas Stars at +1000.
One team from that group to watch could be the Stars. The Stars have been listed at triple digits a number of times this season and could be headed back there after some recent strong play. Even with Tyler Seguin sidelined the Stars have won three in a row, which includes wins over Chicago and the Tampa Bay Lightning. That run has also moved them into first place in the Central Division.
Odds to win Stanley Cup at Bodog:
Washington Capitals +400
Los Angeles Kings +650
Chicago Blackhawks +700
Anaheim Ducks +750
Dallas Stars +1000
San Jose Sharks +1200
St. Louis Blues +1400
New York Rangers +1400
Tampa Bay Lightning +1800
Boston Bruins +1800
Florida Panthers +1800
Pittsburgh Penguins +1800
Nashville Predators +2500
New York Islanders +2800
Detroit Red Wings +4000
Minnesota Wild +4000
Philadelphia Flyers +4000
Colorado Avalanche +4000
New Jersey Devils +20,000
Carolina Hurricanes +25,000
Ottawa Senators +25,000