NHL 2022-23 Stanley Cup Futures Odds
There’s a new team atop the Stanley Cup futures odds that likely no one would have guessed when the puck dropped on the new season two months ago.
At Bovada Sportsbook, the favorites to win the Stanley Cup in 2022-23 are the Boston Bruins at +500. Boston started the season on fire and hasn’t let up. Heading into Thursday night, the Bruins lead the NHL with 52 points.
There were questions surrounding the Bruins entering the season with Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy out while recovering from offseason surgery, but both returned early and strong. Throw in some career-best numbers from goalie Linus Ullmark and the Bruins look primed for a strong postseason run in 2023.
Bruins top Stanley Cup odds, defending champs second
Following the Bruins on the Stanley Cup futures are the defending champion Colorado Avalanche at +600. Don’t be fooled by the Avalanche’s current standing, which is fourth place in the Central Division. Colorado has been plagued by injury this season with Gabriel Landeskog yet to play a single game and Nathan MacKinnon also currently sidelined. When they get to full strength, the Avalanche should return to the dominant form that won them a Cup last season. That could make them good value at +700.
Rounding out the top five on the Cup futures at Bovada are the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights, both at +900, and the Carolina Hurricanes at +1000.
From those three, let’s focus on the Golden Knights. Vegas has also been hit hard by injuries at times this season with Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Shea Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo among those who have missed time. Vegas also entered the season with a question mark in goal, but that seems to have been laid to rest with the solid play of Logan Thompson. Vegas is tops in the Western Conference and is a team to watch in 2023.
If you’re looking for value bets on the futures right now, the New York Rangers (+1800) and Edmonton Oilers (+2000) stand out.
Rangers, Oilers represent good value as underdog picks
The Rangers are +1800 underdogs on the futures but have found a new gear lately and reeled off seven straight wins earlier this month. Two things make the Rangers a good value play. First is their improving youth contingent of Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko. Both have made big strides lately and if they become scoring threats, the Rangers’ scoring depth takes a big leap forward. Second is Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin between the pipes. He’s not been as rock-solid so far this season, but he has the talent to take over a playoff series, which is a big advantage in the postseason.
The Oilers have been a bit of a disappointment this season, barely holding on to a playoff spot in the West. If Edmonton gets in, the dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl makes the team incredibly dangerous. Edmonton’s downfall could be their play in goal. Free-agent acquisition Jack Campbell has been a nightmare so far, and unless he turns things around, the Oilers could be destined for another short playoff run.