Stanley Cup Odds: Avalanche Moves to the Finals

After a dramatic OT win in Game 4, the Colorado Avalanche punched their ticket into the Stanley Cup Final. The speed at which they closed out the Western Conference Final may be a little surprising, but their getting to the Final is not, as they came into the season as the favorite to win it all. The question now is who they will face, with the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers getting set for Game 5 of their series, which the Rangers lead by 2-1. As you will already have guessed, the odds to win the Stanley Cup have changed again and will continue to do so with each passing game. Let’s take a look at the current Stanley Cup Betting Lines as we wait to see what the Stanley Cup Final will look like.

Updated Stanley Cup Odds Favorites and Analysis | NHL Playoffs Betting Picks

Colorado Avalanche (-250)

Like we just mentioned, the Colorado Avalanche came into the season as the favorite to win the Stanley Cup, and they are certainly living up to that top billing. They have punched their ticket into the Final, but let’s now take a look at how they got there.

The Avalanche opened up against the Nashville Predators in Round 1 and made it look very easy. They disposed of the Predators in a 4-game sweep, outscoring them 21-9 in the process. Things got a little tougher in Round 2 against the Blues, a series that Colorado eventually won in 6 games. While it took a little longer, the reality was that they never really looked to be in any danger, as they were never behind in the series. After going up 3-0 in the Western Conference Final against the Oilers, it looked to be heading back to Colorado, with the Avs down 3-1 on the road in Game 4 heading into the third period. The offense took off and Colorado eventually won 6-5 in OT.

This is a team that can beat you in a variety of different ways, which makes them very dangerous indeed.

New York Rangers (+350)

Before heading into the Eastern Conference Final, the Rangers were considered the biggest longshot to win the Stanley Cup. That has changed rather dramatically, especially after they went out and won the opening 2 games of the series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. This is certainly a different situation for the Rangers than what they have been used to in the playoffs, as they had to come back from the brink of elimination in both Round 1 and Round 2. As you will see in a moment, the odds are tight between the Rangers and the Lightning, and they may well change depending on what happens in Game 4.

Tampa Bay Lightning (+375)

If we have learned anything about the Lightning over the course of these playoffs, it’s that they are incredibly tough to knock off. That shouldn’t really come as a surprise given that they have won the Cup the last 2 years. Still, down 3-2 in the opening round the Maple Leafs, things looked bleak, but they won back-to-back games to move on. They made the second round look easy, sweeping the Florida Panthers in 4 games. Going into an 0-2 hole in the Eastern Conference Final was not great, but a win in Game 3 has them right back in it. If they win Game 4, looks for them to flip odds with the Rangers.

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