The NHL playoffs are progressing rapidly while the Florida Panthers aim to defend their Stanley Cup championship. Will Conor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers be able to defeat Florida this season? Could we see a new champion crowned for the fifth consecutive year?
As of May 23rd, DraftKings Sportsbook offers the latest Stanley Cup Champion odds along with the chances of winning each conference final.
Stanley Cup Odds:
– Panthers: +115 (a $10 bet could win $21.50)
– Stars: +220 (a $10 bet could win $32)
– Oilers: +400 (a $10 bet could win $50)
– Hurricanes: +1000 (a $10 bet could win $110)
In the Western Conference:
– Oilers (3) vs. Stars (2) with Dallas leading the series 1-0; odds favor Dallas at -190, with Edmonton at +160.
In the Eastern Conference:
– Panthers (3) vs. Hurricanes (2) with Florida leading 2-0; Florida is heavily favored at -650, while Carolina is at +475.
Over the last four years, different teams have claimed the Stanley Cup, with the Lightning winning back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021. Before them, the Penguins took the cup in 2016 and 2017. The last back-to-back winners before that were the Red Wings in 1997 and 1998.
The Panthers reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice recently, losing to Las Vegas in 2023 but defeating Edmonton last season. Of the last ten champions, six were from the Eastern Conference and four from the Western Conference. Recently, two Stanley Cup Finals went to seven games, but there hasn’t been a sweep since 1998 when the Red Wings beat the Capitals 4-0.
The most recent Stanley Cup winner with the best regular-season record was in 2013, when the Blackhawks triumphed. The Winnipeg Jets, previously the Atlanta Thrashers, finished this regular season with the best record but have yet to win the Cup.
Fan Take: This playoff season is proving to be one of the most competitive and unpredictable in years, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. The potential for a new champion or a strong repeat by the Panthers could shape NHL rivalries and excitement for seasons to come.
