The Stanley Cup playoffs are now in the second round, with a couple of teams already looking like they might be in the final four sooner rather than later. It is always fun to watch the odds shift, which they do regularly during the postseason. You can see those odds change dramatically overnight when a team delivers a big win and puts their opponent on the brink of elimination. Of course, it is never a good idea to write any team off until players are lined up shaking hands at the end of a series. Still, a couple of real favorites have emerged, so let’s take a look at the 4 teams that the bookies have in as the current favorites to win the Stanley Cup. Let’s jump right into action so you can continue betting against their Stanley Cup odds.
Updated NHL 2021 Stanley Cup Betting Odds & Predictions
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche were among the favorites to win it all prior to the start of the playoffs, but they moved to the top of the heap after a brilliant display in the opening round. They absolutely destroyed the St. Louis Blues in 4 games, outscoring them 20-7. They then came out and outscored the Vegas Golden Knights 10-3 in the opening 2 games in the second round, but they have come back to earth since. The Golden Knights took Games 3 and 4 to reduce this thing to a best of 3. The Avalanche and the Golden Knights are among the top 4 favorites right now, so the winner of this series is likely to see their odds lower again.
Tampa Bay Lightning
In the opening round, the Tampa Bay Lightning took care of the Florida Panthers in 6 games, but they also never really looked to be in any real danger after winning the opening 2 games of the series. They went into the second round series against the Carolina Hurricanes and did the exact same thing, coming away with a win in Games 1 and 2. While they dropped Game 3, the Lightning bounced back with a win to take a 3-1 stranglehold in the series. The defending champions know how to kill a series, so it would be a surprise to see them lose this one now.
Boston Bruins
After having a team that looked set to win it all last year, only to come up short, the belief was that the Bruins were not as good this time around. They put that idea to rest a little by taking out the Washington Capitals in 5 games in the opening round, but everyone knew it was going to be a much tougher task in Round 2 against the New York Islanders. That has proven to be the case, with the teams splitting the opening 4 games of the series. At the time of writing, the Islanders have a firm grip on Game 5, so the Bruins could well be in trouble come Tuesday morning.
Las Vegas Golden Knights
It is unusual to see a pair of teams going head-to-head in a series in among the favorites to win the Stanley Cup at the same time. This should give you an idea of just how evenly matched the Avalanche and the Golden Knights are, and how dramatically the odds might change based on the outcome of this series. After winning Games 3 and 4 to tie things up, you do get the sense that momentum is on the side of Vegas, but Game 5 is always a pivotal one in any tight series. That one could change everything.
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