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Jun 6 2024
2024 Stanley Cup Finals Preview: Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers
AI predicting the 2024 Stanley Cup winner
The 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Finals are set, and the stage is ready for an electrifying showdown between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers. Both teams have demonstrated resilience, skill, and determination to reach this pinnacle of hockey excellence. Let’s break down the matchups and provide a prediction for which team will lift the Stanley Cup.
Edmonton Oilers
Path to the Finals:
The Edmonton Oilers have had a remarkable playoff run, showcasing their high-powered offense led by the dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Their journey to the Finals saw them overcoming the formidable Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final, demonstrating their offensive prowess and improved defensive play.
Key Players:
- Connor McDavid: The NHL's most explosive player, McDavid's speed, skill, and playmaking abilities make him a constant threat.
- Leon Draisaitl: Complementing McDavid, Draisaitl’s scoring touch and vision provide a one-two punch that is hard to defend against.
- Stuart Skinner: The young goaltender has been reliable, making key saves and providing stability at the back.
Strengths:
- Power Play: Edmonton’s power play is one of the most lethal in the league, converting at an exceptionally high rate.
- Star Power: With McDavid and Draisaitl, the Oilers have unmatched top-end talent capable of taking over games.
Weaknesses:
- (Defensive) Depth: While improved, the Oilers' defense can be vulnerable, particularly if their forwards are unable to maintain puck possession. On paper, the four forward lines of Edmonton are not as solid as their colleagues on the opposing side of the rink.
- Goaltending Consistency: Skinner will need to maintain his performance under the heightened pressure of the Finals.
Florida Panthers
Path to the Finals:
The Florida Panthers have continued their impressive playoff narrative by defeating the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final. Known for their aggressive forecheck and depth scoring, the Panthers have proven to be a tough playoff opponent, capable of grinding out wins through physical play and timely goals.
Key Players:
- Matthew Tkachuk: The heart and soul of the Panthers, Tkachuk’s physical play and offensive contributions have been crucial.
- Aleksander Barkov: A two-way force, Barkov’s ability to shut down top opponents while providing offensive support is invaluable.
- Sergei Bobrovsky: The veteran goaltender has rediscovered his elite form, making key saves and backstopping the Panthers with confidence.
Strengths:
- Depth and Physicality: The Panthers' ability to roll four effective lines and wear down opponents through physical play has been a hallmark of their success.
- Defensive Responsibility: Led by Aaron Ekblad, the Panthers’ defense has been effective in limiting high-danger chances and supporting Bobrovsky.
Weaknesses:
- Penalty Kill: Florida’s penalty kill has been inconsistent, which could be a problem against Edmonton’s potent power play.
- Reliance on Bobrovsky: While Bobrovsky has been stellar, the Panthers’ success heavily depends on his continued elite performance.
Series Prediction
Statistical Outlook:
Based on predictive analytics, the Edmonton Oilers have a slight edge with a 50.39% chance of winning the series, while the Florida Panthers have a 49.61% chance. If you're interested in how we derive our playoff series predictions, check out our post from a couple of seasons ago.
Analysis:
The Stanley Cup Finals are expected to be closely contested, given the narrow margin in predicted probabilities. The series will likely hinge on a few critical factors:
- Special Teams: Edmonton’s power play vs. Florida’s penalty kill will be a crucial battle.
- Goaltending Duel: Skinner vs. Bobrovsky will be a key determinant of each game’s outcome.
- Top-End Talent vs. Depth: The Oilers’ star power will be tested against the Panthers’ depth and physicality.
AI Odds and Prediction: Edmonton Oilers Win
In what promises to be a thrilling and tightly contested series, the slight statistical edge, combined with the unmatched offensive firepower of McDavid and Draisaitl, gives the Edmonton Oilers the nod. Expect the series to go the distance, with the Oilers ultimately prevailing and capturing the Stanley Cup.
Probability to win the SCF 🏆| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Florida Panthers | 49.61 % | 2.02 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 50.39 % | 1.98 |
|
Conclusion
The 2024 Stanley Cup Finals between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers are set to provide fans with unforgettable hockey moments. With both teams nearly evenly matched, the battle for the Cup will be intense and exciting, culminating in the Oilers lifting the trophy after a hard-fought series, and Florida losing in the finals second year in a row.
Br
Sebastian
May 22 2024
NHL Playoffs 2024: Conference Finals Preview and Predictions
Could the Dallas Stars win their all-time 2nd 🏆 this season?
First, they'll need to advance past the Edmonton Oilers to the SCF.
The 2024 NHL Playoffs have been nothing short of exhilarating, and as four teams have advanced to the Conference Finals, the intensity is palpable. The Dallas Stars are set to clash with the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final, while the New York Rangers will face the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final. Let’s break down each matchup and provide a prediction for which teams will advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Western Conference Final: Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars have showcased a balanced approach throughout the playoffs, combining a strong defensive structure with timely scoring. Their top players, such as Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz, have been pivotal in driving the offense, while Miro Heiskanen has been a rock on the blue line. Goaltender Jake Oettinger has provided stability in the net, posting impressive numbers and key saves in critical moments.
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are riding high on the brilliance of their dynamic duo, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Both have been dominant, leading the league in playoff points and creating nightmares for opposing defenses. The supporting cast, including Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Evander Kane, has stepped up, providing the necessary depth scoring. Goaltender Stuart Skinner has been reliable enough, making crucial stops to keep the Oilers in contention.
Key Factors
- Special Teams: Edmonton's power play is a significant weapon, converting at an astronomical rate. Dallas will need to stay disciplined and avoid giving the Oilers too many opportunities with the man advantage.
- Goaltending: Jake Oettinger's ability to outperform Stuart Skinner could be the deciding factor. If Oettinger can shut down McDavid and Draisaitl, Dallas has a strong chance of advancing.
- Depth Scoring: While Edmonton relies heavily on their top players, Dallas’s balanced attack could overwhelm the Oilers if their secondary scoring falters.
Prediction: Dallas Stars Win
Based on predictive analytics, Dallas has a slight edge with a 50.3% chance to win the series against Edmonton. The series is poised to be a tight battle, but Dallas’s depth and Oettinger’s goaltending give them a marginal advantage. Expect the Stars to capitalize on their balanced attack and strong defensive play to outlast the Oilers in a hard-fought series.
Eastern Conference Final: New York Rangers vs. Florida Panthers
New York Rangers
The Rangers have been formidable, led by the offensive prowess of Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad. Their blue line, anchored by Adam Fox, provides both offensive support and defensive stability. Igor Shesterkin has been stellar between the pipes, often stealing games with his acrobatic saves and composure under pressure.
Florida Panthers
The Panthers have continued their underdog story from last season, leveraging their aggressive forecheck and depth scoring. Matthew Tkachuk has been the heart and soul of the team, playing a gritty, all-around game that inspires his teammates. Sergei Bobrovsky has found a resurgence in his play, delivering performances reminiscent of his Vezina-winning days.
Key Factors
- Goaltending: Both Shesterkin and Bobrovsky are capable of stealing games. The battle in the crease will be a major storyline, with the edge potentially going to Shesterkin due to his consistency.
- Defense: The Rangers' defense, led by Fox and Jacob Trouba, needs to neutralize the Panthers' aggressive forwards. Limiting Tkachuk’s impact will be crucial.
- Physical Play: Florida’s physicality can wear down opponents. The Rangers must match this intensity to avoid getting overpowered.
Prediction: Florida Panthers Win
Our data gives Florida a slight edge with a 50.1% chance to win the series against New York. While the Rangers’ combination of elite goaltending, solid defense, and potent offense makes them formidable, the Panthers' grit, determination, and slight statistical edge should see them through to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Conclusion
The Dallas Stars and Florida Panthers are poised to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. Both series are incredibly tight, with only marginal advantages for the Stars and Panthers based on predictive analytics. Here are the odds and predictions in tabular format:
Probability to win the series| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Dallas Stars | 50.3 % | 1.99 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 49.7 % | 2.01 |
|
| New York Rangers | 49.86 % | 2.01 |
| Florida Panthers | 50.14 % | 1.99 |
|
Apr 26 2024
NHL 2024 playoffs odds and predictions - 1st Round
Eastern Conference round 1
Atlantic Division
Florida Panthers (51.49%) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (48.51%)
The Battle of Florida reignites in the playoffs, with the Panthers holding a slight edge over the recent back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. Florida's high-powered offense, led by Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart, will test Andrei Vasilevskiy, arguably the best goaltender in the world. Tampa Bay's championship pedigree and experience in tight situations cannot be discounted. This series could easily go the distance, but the Panthers' offensive firepower might just be enough to edge out the Lightning in seven games.
Toronto Maple Leafs (50.37%) vs. Boston Bruins (49.63%)
A classic Original Six matchup with a history of playoff drama. The Maple Leafs, led by Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, boast an explosive offense but have struggled to translate regular season success into playoff glory. The Bruins counter with a veteran core, including Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, and a stingy defense anchored by Charlie McAvoy. Toronto's goaltending remains a question mark, while the Bruins have the edge in experience. In a tight series, the Bruins' experience and defensive strength will likely prevail over the Maple Leafs in six games.
Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes (54.7%) vs. New York Islanders (45.3%)
The Hurricanes enter the playoffs as a Stanley Cup favorite, boasting a well-rounded team with a stifling defense and potent offense. The Islanders, known for their structured defensive system under Patrick Roy, will look to frustrate Carolina's skilled forwards. The Hurricanes' depth and home-ice advantage will be key factors. Carolina's overall team strength should lead them past the Islanders in five games.
New York Rangers (54%) vs. Washington Capitals (46%)
The President Trophy winning Rangers, led by Vezina Trophy candidate Igor Shesterkin, face the aging but still dangerous Washington Capitals. Alex Ovechkin continues to defy Father Time, but the Capitals' overall depth and goaltending raise concerns. The Rangers' young core, including Adam Fox, Alexis Lafrenière and Kaapo Kakko, will need to rise to the occasion. The Rangers' superior goaltending and youthful energy will propel them past the Capitals in five games.
Western Conference round 1
Central Division
Winnipeg Jets (51%) vs. Colorado Avalanche (49%)
The Jets, led by Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele, rely on solid goaltending from Vezina favorite Connor Hellebuyck. The Avalanche boast a star-studded lineup featuring Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen. While the Jets have the offensive firepower to compete, their defensive inconsistencies could be their downfall. The Avalanche's championship experience and overall talent will likely be too much for the Jets, leading to a Colorado victory in six games.
Dallas Stars (51.13%) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (48.87%)
A rematch of the 2020 and 2023 Western Conference Finals, this time a 1st round series features two teams with contrasting styles and regular season success. The best regular season team in Western Conference - Dallas Stars - rely on a structured defensive system and opportunistic scoring. They face the daunting task of taking on the defending Stanley Cup champions; The Golden Knights from the 2nd wild card entry boast a high-powered offense led by Jonathan Marchessault, Jack Eichel and William Karlsson. Goaltending will be crucial, with Jake Oettinger looking to steal the series for Dallas against Vegas' Logan Thompson. In a tight series, the Stars' defensive structure and Oettinger's goaltending will give them the edge over the Golden Knights in seven games.
Pacific Division
Oilers (52.09 %) vs. Kings (47.91 %) Series Preview: McDavid Magic Meets LA's Grit
The first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs pits the high-octane Edmonton Oilers, led by the electrifying Connor McDavid, against the battle-tested Los Angeles Kings. While the Oilers hold a slight edge in the series prediction (52.09% to 47.91%), this matchup promises to be a captivating clash of styles.
Edmonton's Offensive Juggernaut:
The Oilers boast arguably the most potent offense in the league, spearheaded by McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Their ability to create scoring chances out of thin air is unmatched, and their power play is a constant threat. The addition of Evander Kane has further bolstered their offensive firepower in recent seasons, and new joiner Adam Henrique further deepens the forward lineup.
LA's Defensive Fortitude:
The Kings counter Edmonton's offensive prowess with a structured and disciplined defensive system. Veterans like Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty lead a resilient group that excels at limiting opponents' scoring opportunities.
Key Factors:
- Special Teams: Both teams possess potent power plays, but the Kings' penalty kill has been more consistent throughout the season (ranking top 2 in the league). Winning the special teams battle will be critical.
- Secondary Scoring: Beyond McDavid and Draisaitl, the Oilers need contributions from their supporting cast. Players like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman must step up.
- Physicality: The Kings are known for their physical style of play. Their ability to wear down the Oilers' stars and disrupt their flow could be a deciding factor.
Prediction: This series is not a toss-up according to data, but we believe it to cater the biggest surprise of round 1. While the Oilers' offensive firepower is undeniable, the Kings' defensive structure and playoff experience cannot be underestimated. Ultimately, I predict the Los Angeles Kings will upset the Edmonton Oilers in a thrilling seven-game series. Their ability to frustrate McDavid and Draisaitl, combined with stellar defense and goaltending from Cam Talbot, will be enough to overcome Edmonton's offensive onslaught.
Vancouver Canucks (50.69%) vs. Nashville Predators (49.31%)
The Canucks, led by Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes, squeaked into the playoffs and face a tough challenge against the experienced Predators. Nashville's defensive structure and the Finnish goaltending duo of Juuse Saros and Kevin Lankinen will be tough to crack. The Canucks' offensive creativity will need to be at its best to overcome Nashville's defensive prowess. In a close series, the Predators' experience and goaltending will likely lead them past the Canucks in seven games.
First Round Series Summary in numbers
Probability to win the 1st round series| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Dallas Stars | 51.13 % | 1.96 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 48.87 % | 2.05 |
|
| Winnipeg Jets | 51.0 % | 1.96 |
| Colorado Avalanche | 49.0 % | 2.04 |
|
| Florida Panthers | 51.49 % | 1.94 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 48.51 % | 2.06 |
|
| Boston Bruins | 49.63 % | 2.01 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 50.37 % | 1.99 |
|
| Vancouver Canucks | 50.69 % | 1.97 |
| Nashville Predators | 49.31 % | 2.03 |
|
| Edmonton Oilers | 52.09 % | 1.92 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 47.91 % | 2.09 |
|
| New York Rangers | 54.0 % | 1.85 |
| Washington Capitals | 46.0 % | 2.17 |
|
| Carolina Hurricanes | 54.7 % | 1.83 |
| New York Islanders | 45.3 % | 2.21 |
|
Br
Sebastian
Apr 26 2024
NHL 🏆 winner odds and predictions for the 2024 playoffs
📣 We will update the latest Cup winner predictions here in this post, as the playoffs progress.
It's that time of the year again
And we're awkwardly late to the party! The playoffs started already a week ago 😴, so without further ado, here are the 🏆 preview and predictions.
Eastern Conference Playoff Picture: A Battleground of Contenders
The Eastern Conference playoffs are shaping up to be a highly competitive affair, with several legitimate Stanley Cup contenders vying for supremacy. The Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes stand out as the favorites, boasting potent offenses and solid defensive structures. The Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers, with their young, dynamic cores, also have the potential to make deep runs. However, experience could be a deciding factor, with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins looking to draw upon their championship pedigree.
Prediction: The Carolina Hurricanes will emerge from the Eastern Conference. Their blend of offensive firepower, defensive prowess, and strong goaltending makes them a formidable force.
Western Conference Playoff Picture: A Clash of Styles
The Western Conference playoffs present a fascinating clash of styles, with high-octane offenses facing off against defensively-minded teams. The Vegas Golden Knights, as defending champions, remain a top contender, but their path is far from easy. The Dallas Stars and Los Angeles Kings, with their structured defensive systems, could pose significant challenges. The Edmonton Oilers, led by Connor McDavid, have the offensive firepower to overcome any opponent, but their defensive inconsistencies raise concerns.
Prediction: The Dallas Stars will emerge as a contender from the Western Conference. Their defensive structure and goaltending will frustrate opponents, while their opportunistic scoring will prove to be the difference.
Predicting the Stanley Cup winner: A Defensive Showdown
The Stanley Cup Final will likely feature a captivating contrast of styles, with the high-flying Carolina Hurricanes facing off against the defensively-sound Dallas Stars. This series will be a battle of attrition, with both teams relying on their strengths to neutralize the other. Ultimately, the Dallas Stars will prevail in a hard-fought seven-game series to capture the Stanley Cup. Their defensive structure and goaltending will prove to be the difference, frustrating the Hurricanes' potent offense and capitalizing on their scoring opportunities. Jake Oettinger will emerge as the Conn Smythe Trophy winner, solidifying his status as a top goaltender in the league.
Stanley Cup winner prediction (after Conference Finals)| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Edmonton Oilers | 50.39 % | 1.98 |
| Florida Panthers | 49.61 % | 2.02 |
Stanley Cup winner prediction (after 2nd round)| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Dallas Stars | 25.38 % | 3.94 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 25.08 % | 3.99 |
| Florida Panthers | 24.84 % | 4.03 |
| New York Rangers | 24.7 % | 4.05 |
Stanley Cup winner prediction (after 1st round)| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Carolina Hurricanes | 13.05 % | 7.66 |
| Dallas Stars | 12.88 % | 7.76 |
| New York Rangers | 12.73 % | 7.86 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 12.65 % | 7.91 |
| Florida Panthers | 12.49 % | 8.01 |
| Vancouver Canucks | 12.1 % | 8.26 |
| Colorado Avalanche | 12.09 % | 8.27 |
| Boston Bruins | 12.02 % | 8.32 |
Stanley Cup winner prediction 🏆| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Edmonton Oilers | 6.6 % | 15.15 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 6.6 % | 15.15 |
| Dallas Stars | 6.6 % | 15.15 |
| Florida Panthers | 6.55 % | 15.27 |
| Winnipeg Jets | 6.53 % | 15.31 |
| New York Rangers | 6.46 % | 15.48 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 6.31 % | 15.85 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 6.3 % | 15.87 |
| Colorado Avalanche | 6.28 % | 15.92 |
| Vancouver Canucks | 6.27 % | 15.95 |
| Boston Bruins | 6.21 % | 16.1 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 6.17 % | 16.21 |
| Nashville Predators | 6.09 % | 16.42 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 6.07 % | 16.47 |
| Washington Capitals | 5.5 % | 18.18 |
| New York Islanders | 5.47 % | 18.28 |
Let’s see how well the predictions perform this season. Enjoy the playoffs!
Sebastian
Jun 3 2023
NHL 2023 playoffs odds and predictions - Stanley Cup Final
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Florida Panthers: Stanley Cup Finals Preview and Prediction
Introduction:
The stage is set for an epic showdown in the Stanley Cup Finals, as the Vegas Golden Knights and the Florida Panthers prepare to battle for hockey's ultimate prize. Following their impressive performances in the Conference Finals, Vegas secured a hard-fought 4-2 series win against the Dallas Stars, while Florida swept the series against the Carolina Hurricanes with a commanding 4-0 triumph.
This SCF series preview will provide insights into this highly anticipated matchup and offer a prediction on which team will emerge as the Stanley Cup champions of 2023.
Team Overview:
- Vegas Golden Knights:
The Vegas Golden Knights have been a perennial contender since their inception, consistently showcasing their depth, skill, and tenacity. Led by their captain Mark Stone, the Golden Knights possess a potent offense capable of overwhelming opponents. Defensively, the team relies on a strong defensive unit to shut down opposing attacks. The goaltending tandem of Adin Hill and Jonathan Quick adds strength and stability between the pipes.
- Florida Panthers:
During the playoff spring, the Florida Panthers have emerged as a formidable force, boasting a talented roster and a hunger for success. Led by their captain Aleksander Barkov, the Panthers possess a high-powered offense that can strike at any moment. Additionally, their defensive core provides solid support at both ends of the ice. Goaltender and Conn Smythe trophy winner favorite Sergei Bobrovsky brings his experience and ability to make game-changing saves, further strengthening the Panthers' chances.
Key Factors:
- Offensive Firepower:
The Stanley Cup Finals will feature two potent offenses that can light up the scoreboard. The Golden Knights' depth, scoring prowess, and ability to generate scoring chances pose a significant challenge for any opponent. On the other end of the rink, the Panthers' dynamic top line and depth contributors can overwhelm defenses with speed and skill. The team that can consistently capitalize on offensive opportunities may have the advantage in this series.
- Defensive Strength:
Defensive play will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the series. The Golden Knights' defensive unit combines physicality and smart positioning to stifle opposing attacks, while the Panthers' disciplined defensive structure can frustrate opponents and limit high-quality chances. Both teams possess talented defensemen who can contribute offensively and shut down opposing stars. The ability to neutralize the opponent's offense could prove decisive in this tightly contested series.
AI Odds and Prediction:
In what promises to be a captivating Stanley Cup Finals series, the Vegas Golden Knights are predicted to emerge as the champions, albeit by a slim margin. While the Florida Panthers have been very impressive throughout the playoffs, the Golden Knights' balanced lineup, experience, and depth give them a slight edge. Vegas' ability to control the game's tempo and capitalize on scoring chances may prove to be the difference-maker.
Probability to win the SCF 🏆| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Vegas Golden Knights | 50.52 % | 1.98 |
| Florida Panthers | 49.48 % | 2.02 |
|
Conclusion:
The Stanley Cup Finals clash between the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers is poised to deliver exhilarating hockey and fierce competition. Both teams possess tremendous skill, depth, and determination, making for a thrilling series that will captivate fans. While the Panthers, led by Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, are a formidable opponent, the Golden Knights, with their captain Mark Stone, Jonathan Marchessault and the recent addition of Jack Eichel, have the edge in terms of their balanced lineup, experience, and overall performance throughout the playoffs. Our prediction says the Vegas Golden Knights will hoist the Stanley Cup in 2023.
Br
Sebastian
May 18 2023
NHL 2023 playoffs odds and predictions - 3rd Round
No Oilers or any other Canadian team in the SFC. Once again.
It's the Conference Finals — let's delve into the exciting matchups and break down the predictions on which team from East and West will advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Eastern Conference Final preview and prediction: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers
The Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers are set to clash for a thrilling showdown. Both teams have displayed remarkable talent and determination throughout the postseason, but the Hurricanes enter this series as slight favorites. Nonetheless, with the Panthers' offensive firepower and resilience, the series is expected to be fiercely contested. NHL fans will be treated to an intense and captivating matchup as these two talented teams vie for the ultimate prize in professional hockey.
Team Overview
- Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have been a force to be reckoned with this season, boasting a well-rounded roster and impressive depth. Led by their formidable centermen, featuring Sebastian Aho and Jordan Staal, the Hurricanes possess a potent offensive attack. Furthermore, their strong defensive core, led by Brent Burns and Jaccob Slavin, provides a solid foundation in their own zone. Goaltender Frederik Andersen has been stellar, further bolstering their chances of success.
- Florida Panthers
The Panthers have had a remarkable season, solidifying their position as one of the league's top contenders. Led by superstar Aleksander Barkov, along with talented wingers Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe, the Panthers possess a high-scoring offense that can challenge any opponent. Additionally, their defense, anchored by Aaron Ekblad and Gustav Forsling, showcases skill and physicality. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky's experience and talent make the Panthers a formidable team.
Key Factor: Offensive Firepower
Both teams boast explosive offenses capable of finding the back of the net consistently. The Hurricanes possess depth throughout their forward lines — even with the long list of injured core players — while the Panthers rely heavily on the offensive prowess of their top players. Special teams play, particularly the power play, could be a significant factor in this series, as both teams possess potent units. Note that Teuvo Teräväinen is likely to return to the lineup, which might shuffle up the Carolina power play.
Prediction
The Carolina Hurricanes are favored to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. Their balanced roster, strong defensive play, and outstanding goaltending puts them ahead of the Florida Panthers. While the Panthers possess exceptional talent and the ability to push the series to its limits, the Hurricanes' overall depth, balanced roster and consistency make them the predicted victors.
Western Conference Final preview and prediction: Vegas Golden Knights vs. Dallas Stars
The Western Conference Finals of the NHL playoffs present an exciting showdown between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Dallas Stars. Both teams have demonstrated their mettle throughout the postseason, so predicting which team will advance to the Stanley Cup Finals is extremely difficult. With both teams boasting impressive rosters and a recent history of some playoff success, fans can anticipate a clash of skill, intensity, and strategic gameplay.
Team Overview
- Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights have established themselves as a formidable force in the league since their inception. With a talented roster featuring scoring threats such as Mark Stone and Jonathan Marchessault, the Golden Knights possess an explosive offensive arsenal. Their defensive core, anchored by Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore, provides stability and puck-moving prowess. Goaltender Adin Hill has been solid throughout the playoff spring, which bolsters their chances of success.
- Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are no strangers to deep playoff runs, having reached the Stanley Cup Finals in the 2020 season. Led by captain Jamie Benn and dynamic forwards Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson andTyler Seguin, the Stars possess a potent offensive lineup. Their defense, spearheaded by the offensively oriented Miro Heiskanen and defensive backbone Esa Lindell, boasts skill, playmaking ability and defensive reliability. In net, Jake Oettinger has demonstrated his ability to elevate his game during crucial moments.
Key Factor: Goaltending & Defensive Battle
The series between the Golden Knights and Stars will showcase a compelling goaltending duel. On both sides of the rink, a relatively inexperienced netminder will get the nod. Goaltending performances will be pivotal in determining the outcome of this series. That being said, both teams boast strong defensive units capable of stifling opposing offenses and limiting scoring chances.
Prediction
In a closely contested series, the Dallas Stars are predicted to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals as slight, slight favorites. The Stars' playoff experience, strong defensive play, and potent offensive weapons give them a slight edge over the Golden Knights. However, it is important to note that the series is expected to be fiercely competitive, and the Golden Knights have the talent and determination to push the series to its limits, and are more than capable of mounting a strong challenge.
AI Odds and Predictions
For both Conferences, our Hockey NHL AI has calculated the series win probabilities:
Probability to win the 3rd round series| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Carolina Hurricanes | 51.45 % | 1.94 |
| Florida Panthers | 48.55 % | 2.06 |
|
| Vegas Golden Knights | 49.18 % | 2.03 |
| Dallas Stars | 50.82 % | 1.97 |
|
Br
Sebastian
May 2 2023
NHL 2023 playoffs odds and predictions - 2nd Round
The second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs starts tonight!
Opening round recap
In the first round, home teams had more distractions than ever before: away teams recorded 31 wins (62% win rate), summing up for most road wins ever in round 1. Six out of the eight first-round match-ups were clinched on the road, which just demonstrates the amount of parity there is in the NHL.
The Cup favorites from the two Conferences, Boston and Colorado, both got eliminated. Other than that, the favorite teams in the other series all prevailed.
And yay, finally Toronto made it to the 2nd round!
Predicting second-round series winners
The Maple Leafs get to face Florida Panthers who were able to eliminate Boston Bruins, the record-breaking President Trophy winners. Now that Toronto got over the hump, they may very well be unstoppable.
In our predictions, Edmonton has the edge over Golden Knights, the only series where the team with the home-ice advantage isn't the favorite to advance to the Conference finals. Let's see if Vegas can shut down the Oilers that operate on a 56.2% Power Play success rate and 4.17 GF/GP.
Seattle could be another underdog that'd prevail: they already knocked out Colorado as I anticipated in the predictions for the previous round. This round they face the Dallas Stars and the red-hot Roope Hintz (5+7 in 6 playoff games this season), and according to our predictions, the series is a coin-flip. Also, anything can happen in the series between the Hurricanes and the Devils — again, a good example of parity in the league.
Probability to win the 2nd round series| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 51.44 % | 1.94 |
| Florida Panthers | 48.56 % | 2.06 |
|
| Carolina Hurricanes | 50.31 % | 1.99 |
| New Jersey Devils | 49.69 % | 2.01 |
|
| Dallas Stars | 50.42 % | 1.98 |
| Seattle Kraken | 49.58 % | 2.02 |
|
| Vegas Golden Knights | 48.99 % | 2.04 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 51.01 % | 1.96 |
|
Br
Sebastian
Apr 18 2023
NHL 2023 playoffs odds and predictions - 1st Round
Predicting first round series winners
Two conferences, four divisions, and eight pairs of teams equal lots of opening-round playoff hockey. Without further ado, let's look at the numbers already!
Probability to win the 1st round series| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | 52.15 % | 1.92 |
| Seattle Kraken | 47.85 % | 2.09 |
|
| Dallas Stars | 50.28 % | 1.99 |
| Minnesota Wild | 49.72 % | 2.01 |
|
| Boston Bruins | 55.17 % | 1.81 |
| Florida Panthers | 44.83 % | 2.23 |
|
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 51.1 % | 1.96 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 48.9 % | 2.04 |
|
| Carolina Hurricanes | 52.1 % | 1.92 |
| New York Islanders | 47.9 % | 2.09 |
|
| New Jersey Devils | 50.33 % | 1.99 |
| New York Rangers | 49.67 % | 2.01 |
|
| Vegas Golden Knights | 51.7 % | 1.93 |
| Winnipeg Jets | 48.3 % | 2.07 |
|
| Edmonton Oilers | 53.11 % | 1.88 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 46.89 % | 2.13 |
|
If you're interested in how we derive our playoff series predictions, check out our post from a couple seasons ago.
Based on our predictions, Boston, Edmonton, Colorado, and Carolina are the most likely favorites to advance to the second round. However, the margins are small. Also, keep an eye on especially on Seattle Kraken; based on our data they are the underdog that might surprise the reigning champion, and go further than expected on average this postseason.
Br
Sebastian
Apr 17 2023
NHL 🏆 winner odds and predictions for the 2023 playoffs
📣 We will update the latest Cup winner predictions here in this post, as the playoffs progress.
It's that time of the year again
It's the beginning of the playoffs spring, and you can feel the excitement. Anything can happen, says a New Yorker. If you followed our playoff predictions last season, you know it's (almost 😉) anybody's game. Before round 1 last season, we had predicted Toronto to win it all, but they just couldn't break the curse of the opening round. But after round 1, also our predictions changed drastically as our system is dynamically able to learn the new bracket and possible outcomes. As a result, since the beginning of round two last season, we had placed our money for Colorado to bring home the Cup — which they did! 🎉
Predicting the Stanley Cup winner
Boston absolutely dominated the regular season. They are not only a familiar face in the playoffs but also seem to compete in a different league: Boston enters the playoffs with an eight game winning streak, 9-1-0 in their last ten games, and carry a goal differential of +128! Other contender teams have a hard time to match even a half of it.
So, the Maple Leafs haven't won a playoff series since spring 2004. However, they are coming in behind the overpowered Bruins, which might alleviate some of their mental challenges. In addition, also Toronto has been quite hot at closing the regular season: four game winning streak and 7-1-2 in their last 10 — maybe this is their year, at least on the 1st round 😁.
In the Western Conference, it's business as usual. Edmonton is winning games where the score is 7-5 and they're coming in as the hottest team of the league, but their game plan may fall short in the tighter playoff games (which already happened in the G1 OT loss against the Kings). Minnesota has a solid regular season behind them, but they haven't proven themselves in the playoffs. Colorado, Dallas, Vegas, and Los Angeles are common logos in the postseason. Seattle from the first wild card berth may offer a pleasant surprise — our predictions rank them reletively high in the Cup prediction chart.
Stanley Cup winner prediction (after Conference Finals)| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Vegas Golden Knights | 50.52 % | 1.98 |
| Florida Panthers | 49.48 % | 2.02 |
Stanley Cup winner prediction (after 2nd round)| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Dallas Stars | 25.62 % | 3.9 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 25.51 % | 3.92 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 24.79 % | 4.03 |
| Florida Panthers | 24.08 % | 4.15 |
Stanley Cup winner prediction (after 1st round)| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Edmonton Oilers | 13.08 % | 7.65 |
| Dallas Stars | 12.66 % | 7.9 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 12.6 % | 7.94 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 12.56 % | 7.96 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 12.46 % | 8.03 |
| Seattle Kraken | 12.44 % | 8.04 |
| New Jersey Devils | 12.31 % | 8.12 |
| Florida Panthers | 11.89 % | 8.41 |
Stanley Cup winner prediction 🏆| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Boston Bruins | 7.27 % | 13.76 |
| Colorado Avalanche | 6.74 % | 14.84 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 6.63 % | 15.08 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 6.39 % | 15.65 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 6.33 % | 15.8 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 6.32 % | 15.82 |
| Seattle Kraken | 6.18 % | 16.18 |
| New Jersey Devils | 6.17 % | 16.21 |
| Dallas Stars | 6.17 % | 16.21 |
| Minnesota Wild | 6.1 % | 16.39 |
| New York Rangers | 6.09 % | 16.42 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 6.06 % | 16.5 |
| Winnipeg Jets | 5.97 % | 16.75 |
| Florida Panthers | 5.91 % | 16.92 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 5.85 % | 17.09 |
| New York Islanders | 5.81 % | 17.21 |
Enjoy the postseason!
Sebastian
Jun 14 2022
NHL 2022 playoffs odds and predictions - Stanley Cup Final
The Stanley Cup Final is going to be a series where veterans meet rookies. I already discussed the topic in the very first post of the 2022 playoffs and predicted that the theme of this postseason could very well be experience against inexperience. And now we have Tampa Bay Lightning who are looking for a "threepeat" up against the new generation from Colorado Avalanche.
It's rare to even reach the finals three times in a row: with a win, Tampa would achieve something exceptional — it was the 1980-1983 New York Islanders who won the Cup four in a row the last time. What an epic final series we're about to witness!
Avs vs. Bolts
In the NHL, a berth in the SCF requires sacrifices, effort, and even a little luck, to beat the other teams that all fit into a very small marginal. But for the two finalists, it has looked easy sometimes. Colorado, the team with the home advantage and the favorite for winning the Cup, has swept two teams these playoffs — Edmonton in the previous round and Nashville in the opening round. In fact, they have lost only two postseason games so far this Spring.
At the Eastern Conference, Tampa Bay has made their opponents look soft; they swept the President Trophy winner Florida Panthers and won four in a row against an out-of-puff Rangers team. However, the first-round series (that seemed like a warm-up round for Tampa 😎) against Toronto was decided in the game seven overtime, i.e., Tampa has also faced some adversity during the spring.
Predicting Stanley Cup winner
It's tougher than ever. Both teams deploy the team spirit, firepower, and superstars that win you Cups.
Colorado boasts star forwards Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, and Nazem Kadri, but also Artturi Lehkonen and Valeri Nichushkin have emerged as difference makers. Nevertheless, it's their star defenceman Cale Makar who actually leads the Avalanche in scoring!
The top dogs at Tampa Bay are their captain and goal scorer Steven Stamkos, scoring virtuoso Nikita Kucherov, and star defenceman Victor Hedman. Moreover, Tampa has Andrei Vasilevski between the pipes, an elite goaltender that every team would want to have as their starter.
Colorado has the home rink advantage, and they are well-rested and prepared for taking down the reigning champion Tampa Bay Lightning. Colorado must feel confident: they won both occasions when they met the Bolts during the regular season. However, I believe that both teams are aware that the regular season means absolutely nothing in the heat of the finals.
Probability to win the SCF| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | 51.41 % | 1.95 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 48.59 % | 2.06 |
|
As always in a playoff bracket, the winning trend will continue for one team — are the Bolts able to roll to the finish line like a dynasty and "threepeat" a 🏆 run, or can the Avs continue to dominate their opponents and win the Stanley Cup for the first time in 21 years?
Br
Sebastian
May 31 2022
NHL 2022 playoffs odds and predictions - 3rd Round
And then there were only four teams, two Conference Finals, and one Stanley Cup winner left. The puck will drop tonight to kick-off the WCF, and the ECF will start on the next day!
Predicting third round series winners
It's exciting to see both teams — Colorado and Edmonton — advancing to the Western Conference Finals after fairly long droughts. Edmonton reached the 3rd round last time in 2006, when they eventually lost the Finals. On the other side of the rink, Colorado lost their previous Conference Finals in 2002 (after winning the Cup in the previous season). Edmonton's latest Stanley Cup winning season is from over three decades ago, 1990.
In the East, we have familiar faces from the Tampa Bay, who dominantly sweeped the President Trophy winning Panthers. In contrast, Rangers required all 7 games to defeat Carolina in a very tight series that featured six home team wins (except for the dramatic game seven). I have to mention the fatique factor here: Rangers will have only two days of rest before the game 1, while Tampa has been loading their "lightning fast" batteries for over a week!
Probability to win the 3rd round series| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | 51.04 % | 1.96 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 48.96 % | 2.04 |
|
| New York Rangers | 49.43 % | 2.02 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 50.57 % | 1.98 |
|
When looking things league-wide, it's interesting how Colorado has been the Cup favorite for the past two rounds , while they were ranked 4th at the beginning of 2022 playoffs. If they advance to the Finals, they have the material for beating the East favorite Tampa, who are looking for a "threepeat". I have to say, even though the third round is yet to be played, Tampa looked scaringly solid against the Panthers, and Vasilevsky has an amazing goals-against record in his past seven elimination games: 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0. So be it Colorado or Edmonton who makes their way to the final, they will meet the toughest opponent of the playoffs there.
Br
Sebastian
May 17 2022
NHL 2022 playoffs odds and predictions - 2nd Round
What you can say, we've witnessed an epic first round: five game sevens, from which two were decided in overtime! Based on the Conference QF (and our prediction probabilities), the margins will be even smaller in the following rounds.
Predicting second round series winners
It's nice to see some fresh new teams advancing to round 2. That being said, it's also tough to watch a team like Toronto to go through rough times like they currently are. But in the NHL, everything has to be earned. Let's see which teams earn a spot in the Conference Finals!
Probability to win the 2nd round series| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | 51.85 % | 1.93 |
| St. Louis Blues | 48.15 % | 2.08 |
|
| Calgary Flames | 50.91 % | 1.96 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 49.09 % | 2.04 |
|
| Carolina Hurricanes | 52.17 % | 1.92 |
| New York Rangers | 47.83 % | 2.09 |
|
| Florida Panthers | 51.02 % | 1.96 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 48.98 % | 2.04 |
|
Br
Sebastian
May 2 2022
NHL 2022 playoffs odds and predictions - 1st Round
Just like every previous season, we'll post series winner predictions and odds for every playoff round. Let's kick off the playoffs!
Predicting first round series winners
All of our playoff predictions below are derived from regular season performance (read our post from a couple of seasons back to understand why). Here we go:
Probability to win the 1st round series| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Florida Panthers | 52.4 % | 1.91 |
| Washington Capitals | 47.6 % | 2.1 |
|
| Carolina Hurricanes | 52.49 % | 1.91 |
| Boston Bruins | 47.51 % | 2.1 |
|
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 51.14 % | 1.96 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 48.86 % | 2.05 |
|
| New York Rangers | 49.87 % | 2.01 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 50.13 % | 1.99 |
|
| Colorado Avalanche | 53.63 % | 1.86 |
| Nashville Predators | 46.37 % | 2.16 |
|
| Minnesota Wild | 52.73 % | 1.9 |
| St. Louis Blues | 47.27 % | 2.12 |
|
| Calgary Flames | 53.44 % | 1.87 |
| Dallas Stars | 46.56 % | 2.15 |
|
| Los Angeles Kings | 49.28 % | 2.03 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 50.72 % | 1.97 |
|
The Eastern Conference is tougher than ever. All eight teams entered into the playoffs by a clear margin: New York Islanders were 16 points behind the Capitals "battling" for the final postseason berth. Moreover, all Eastern teams had either an excellent regular season or are seasoned playoff veterans with a recent track record for success, so expect the round 1 to be phenomenal.
The margins weren't that large in the Western Conference, where Vegas missed the last wild card spot by three points. The overall bracket seems similar to the East, though: teams that have recently gone deep in the playoffs (St. Louis, Dallas, L.A., Nashville) are challenging the new generation: Colorado, Calgary, Edmonton and Minnesota.
Maybe the theme of the 2022 playoffs will be about experience vs. inexperience.
Br
Sebastian
May 2 2022
NHL 🏆 winner odds and predictions for the 2022 playoffs
📣 We will update the latest Cup winner predictions here in this post, as the playoffs progress.
NHL playoffs, they are here again!
Finally the playoffs are normalized — the Spring culminates with playoff hockey just like it did before Covid-19. Say goodbye to corona-tailored divisions and playoff pairs. Let's drop the puck already! 🏒
Predicting the Stanley Cup winner
Florida dominated the regular season but still has a lot to prove in the playoffs. Carolina ended the regular season with a surge and is looking for first round success against recent Cup winners, Penguins: last season the Canes were eliminated by Tampa Bay...
Calgary and Colorado are the clear favorites from the Western Conference. Minnesota has an outstanding regular season behind them, but they haven't recently excelled in the playoffs.
Toronto is statistically the Cup favorite, but the Maple Leafs haven't won a playoff series since spring 2004...
Tampa has won the Cup twice in a row now. In 2020, we predicted Tampa would win it all, and they did. Last season we didn't predict them to hoist the Cup at the beginning of the playoffs, although we had them as the favorite in each of their series. This season, Tampa is only in the middle of the pack in the forecasts: "three-peating" will be very hard, especially given how solid every playoff team in the Eastern Conference is.
Stanley Cup winner prediction (after 3rd round)| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | 51.41 % | 1.95 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 48.59 % | 2.06 |
Stanley Cup winner prediction (after 2nd round)| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | 26.25 % | 3.81 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 25.17 % | 3.97 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 24.57 % | 4.07 |
| New York Rangers | 24.01 % | 4.16 |
Stanley Cup winner prediction (after 1st round)| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | 13.13 % | 7.62 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 12.91 % | 7.75 |
| Calgary Flames | 12.81 % | 7.81 |
| Florida Panthers | 12.63 % | 7.92 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 12.35 % | 8.1 |
| St. Louis Blues | 12.19 % | 8.2 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 12.13 % | 8.24 |
| New York Rangers | 11.83 % | 8.45 |
Stanley Cup winner prediction| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 6.66 % | 15.02 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 6.62 % | 15.11 |
| Calgary Flames | 6.62 % | 15.11 |
| Colorado Avalanche | 6.59 % | 15.17 |
| Minnesota Wild | 6.52 % | 15.34 |
| Florida Panthers | 6.49 % | 15.41 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 6.41 % | 15.6 |
| Boston Bruins | 6.36 % | 15.72 |
| St. Louis Blues | 6.23 % | 16.05 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 6.16 % | 16.23 |
| New York Rangers | 6.13 % | 16.31 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 5.99 % | 16.69 |
| Washington Capitals | 5.89 % | 16.98 |
| Dallas Stars | 5.85 % | 17.09 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 5.77 % | 17.33 |
| Nashville Predators | 5.7 % | 17.54 |
Check out our Stanley Cup winner predictions from last season to see how we predict the postseason series.
Enjoy the postseason!
Sebastian
Oct 12 2021
NHL time: 2021 - 2022 regular season starts tonight!
It's been a long while since the regular season previously started in October. Covid-19 seems to be "under control", fans can again attend live games, and the traditional divisions are back — the familiar road to playoffs may start again. And what an opening night there'll be: Seattle Kraken will make their NHL debut, and the two most recently most successful teams will clash against each other!
Seattle Kraken expect intense debut vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Kraken is looking for a flying start to their first-ever regular season. Last time, when a new team entered the league, the newcomer team won their first three games (and went on having another, a five game win streak, after their first loss). We all know it was the Vegas Golden Knights: they had a record-breaking inaugural season, reaching all the way to Stanley Cup Finals. So it's a nice coincidence that it's the old new kids on the block, Golden Knights, that Kraken has to beat when they try to start the season with a win streak of their own.
Dynasty vs. dynasty
The first game of the 2021 - 22 season will be Tampa Bay Lightning against Pittsburgh Penguins. The two powerhouses last met each other over a year and a half ago, so loads of energy is expected on both sides. Tampa will be celebrating their second 🏆 in as many seasons, but I guess it won't scare off the Pens as they are the ones who have also won it twice in a row. I predict the Pens will take the W — and Tampa can rightfully blame the Cup hangover for the loss.
Game start times
I kept it short for the game previews, as numbers speak more than a thousand words. The opening night has two really special matchups, here are the start times for both games (and also for the first dozen upcoming games in the following days). As always, you'll find the games also from our predictions, where free betting picks are available. Check out the numbers for each game, and bet smartly!
Oct. 14
- TBL vs. PIT, 19:30 ET
- VGK vs. SEA, 22:00 ET
Oct. 15
- TOR vs. MTL, 19:00 ET
- WSH vs. NYR, 19:30 ET
- COL vs. CHI, 22:00 ET
- EDM vs. VAN, 22:00 ET
- ANA vs. WPG, 22:00 ET
Oct. 16
- BUF vs. MTL, 19:00 ET
- OTT vs. TOR, 19:00 ET
- FLA vs. PIT, 19:00 ET
- NYR vs. DAL, 19:00 ET
- CAR vs. NYI, 19:00 ET
- CBJ vs. ARI, 19:00 ET
- DET vs. TBL, 19:30 ET
- NSH vs. SEA, 20:00 ET
- LAK vs. VGK, 22:30 ET
Oct. 17
- NJD vs. CHI, 19:00 ET
- PHI vs. VAN, 19:00 ET
- ANA vs. MIN, 22:00 ET
Enjoy the season!
Sebastian
Jun 28 2021
NHL 2021 playoffs odds and predictions - Stanley Cup Final
Enjoying the Stanley Cup Finals in the middle of the summer is definitely one of the rare positives Covid-19 entailed for the hockey world. The final series is going to be a classic favorite vs. underdog contest, no matter the outcome. But what a sensation it would be, if Montréal Canadiens could take the toughest sports trophy winnable on 🌍 from the reigning champion Tampa Bay Lightning.
Bolts vs. Habs
Montréal has been a clear underdog in all prior series this playoff spring. It surprised and advanced past Toronto, despite being down 3-1 in the series. Then the Habs sweeped Jets 4-0 and won 4-2 against Vegas, not that presumptive either. Now, the Canadiens bettors are close to hitting the Stanley Cup jackpot, as the Habs reached the finals from the worst overall playoff seed.
On the other hand, Tampa has been the favorite in all of their series (already for a couple of seasons). Still, the most recent opponents haven't been particularly soft; Florida, Carolina, and Islanders all had very strong seasons and looked promising right before the playoffs. Florida and Carolina were not maybe as playoff-tested as Islanders, but Tampa didn't care about the past efforts and marched to the finals quite convincingly. Since losing the round 1 series to Columbus Blue Jackets back in 2019, Tampa has not lost back-to-back games in a playoff series.
The trend will continue for one team — are the Bolts able to roll to the finish line, match the expectations, and repeat, or can the Habs pull off the fourth and largest surprise of the 2021 playoffs and win the Stanley Cup for the first time in 28 years?
Probability to win the SCF| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 54.54 % | 1.83 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 45.46 % | 2.2 |
|
Br
Sebastian
Jun 12 2021
NHL 2021 playoffs odds and predictions - 3rd Round
Four division winners with very different backgrounds. This should be interesting...
Predicting third round series winners
It's not a traditional conference final this season, and we all know why. Instead of two best teams from eastern and western conferences battling for the conference champion title and a spot in the 🏆 final, we have four teams coming out on top from their respective divisions. Most importantly, these teams have only played against their fellow divisional teams, i.e., from now on, teams matching up will be complete strangers for each other!
Tampa and Isles last played against each other in September, while Vegas and Montreal last met in January 2020! That's nine and 17 months, respectively 🙀.
Probability to win Round 3| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Vegas Golden Knights | 56.47 % | 1.77 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 43.53 % | 2.3 |
|
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 52.82 % | 1.89 |
| New York Islanders | 47.18 % | 2.12 |
|
As we can see from the table above, this round we have clear favourites to advance to the finals. Vegas was down 2-0 in the series against the Cup favourite Colorado, but never looked back and won four straight games. Even losing the game 1 in a blowout, the advanced statistics showed that Vegas wasn't as bad as the scoreboard would indicate. The Canadiens easily sweeped the Jets, and are on a roll. All in all, expect Vegas to advance.
In the other matchup, the star-powered Tampa will be the favourite against the Islanders. The Islanders lineup is very solid, and the role of each line suits well for the playoffs. Moreover, they have Barry Trotz as their head coach, who has been very successful in the playoffs in recent years. However, the opposing Bolts have been very successful, too, winning the previous Stanley Cup. It will be skill and experience against dump-and-chace grinding...
Br
Sebastian
May 29 2021
NHL 2021 playoffs odds and predictions - 2nd Round
Predicting second round series winners
It's tough. The two best teams of the regular season (Colorado and Vegas) are facing each other already in the round 2. What else would you expect but a coin-flip scenario? A similar situation occurs in the Discover Central division where top contender teams Tampa Bay and Carolina are battling for the division title. According to data, Tampa has a narrow advantage...
You have to win all of your opponents, they say, but still, it feels wrong. On the other hand, expect to see the best playoff hockey of the season, so enjoy!
Probability to win Round 2| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Winnipeg Jets | 51.39 % | 1.95 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 48.61 % | 2.06 |
|
| Boston Bruins | 52.55 % | 1.9 |
| New York Islanders | 47.45 % | 2.11 |
|
| Colorado Avalanche | 50.0 % | 2.0 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 50.0 % | 2.0 |
|
| Carolina Hurricanes | 49.05 % | 2.04 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 50.95 % | 1.96 |
|
First round notes
Both Crosby and Ovechkin were sent to 🏌. Since their respective Cup runs (2017 and 2018), the playoffs stamina for Pens and Caps has been way below their standards. Maybe the era of the two superstars is coming to an end...
The season also unexpectedly ended for the Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid, who is ready to take the mantle of the best player of the league from Crosby. Well, at least it was a surprise for McDavid who confidently promised they'd be challenging for the Cup before the playoffs even started.
Toronto hasn't won a playoff series since spring 2004...
Br
Sebastian
May 14 2021
NHL 2021 playoffs odds and predictions - 1st Round
Like last season, we'll post series winner predictions and odds for every playoff round. Let's kick off the playoffs!
Predicting first round series winners
Once again, like all of our postseason predictions, the 1st round predictions below are derived from regular season performance (read our post from the last season to understand why).
This time there is no playoff bubble, so the teams battling in the series are ordered based on the home-ice advantage, i.e., the team with the advantage is listed above their opponent.
Probability to win Round 1| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 53.32 % | 1.88 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 46.68 % | 2.14 |
|
| Edmonton Oilers | 52.63 % | 1.9 |
| Winnipeg Jets | 47.37 % | 2.11 |
|
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 52.83 % | 1.89 |
| New York Islanders | 47.17 % | 2.12 |
|
| Washington Capitals | 48.96 % | 2.04 |
| Boston Bruins ✅ | 51.04 % | 1.96 |
|
| Colorado Avalanche ✅ | 54.92 % | 1.82 |
| St. Louis Blues | 45.08 % | 2.22 |
|
| Vegas Golden Knights ✅ | 52.17 % | 1.92 |
| Minnesota Wild | 47.83 % | 2.09 |
|
| Carolina Hurricanes ✅ | 51.87 % | 1.93 |
| Nashville Predators | 48.13 % | 2.08 |
|
| Florida Panthers | 49.7 % | 2.01 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning ✅ | 50.3 % | 1.99 |
|
1st round tips
The "Canada Cup", i.e., the Scotia North division seems to have the clearest set-up for the first round. Toronto and Edmonton are the clear favorites based on our data, and they should prevail to the second round fairly painlessly. The downside for gamblers is that viable odds will be very hard to find if you want to place your bets for the favorites.
The hardest division to even reach the 2021 playoffs was the MassMutual East division. Now, each of the best four is looking to defeat two of their rivals to win the division. Caps and Pens have the home-ice advantages, while statisticswise only the Pens have upper hand against their respective foe. As a Caps fan, I'm certainly hoping for another Caps - Pens round two series, but I'm also aware that the B's have a slight upper hand when the puck drops on Saturday.
The Honda West division boasts the President Trophy winner Colorado. Note that Vegas finished the season with an equal point total and they are the favorites to win the Stanley Cup according to our data. Both should advance over their opponents, but keep in mind that St. Louis is a playoff-tested team and Minnesota is having a remarkable season.
The Discover Central division offered the biggest regular-season surprise for the hockey fans. Seeing Florida finish second in the regular season and Dallas not making the playoffs is definitely unexpected. (Well, maybe Pens winning the MM was also a bit surprising.) Moreover, the usual regular-season powerhouse Tampa only reached the 3rd playoff slot. The long and unusual Cup run in the corona bubble must have taken its toll, and might also reflect into this postseason. However, according to nhl.com, Tampa will be getting Kucherov and Stamkos back for game 1. Both of them must be hungry for a repeat!
Br
Sebastian
May 13 2021
NHL 🏆 winner odds and predictions for the 2021 playoffs
📣 We will update the latest Cup winner predictions here in this post, as the playoffs progress.
Playoff time, it's here again!
It was only seven months ago when Tampa hoisted the Stanley Cup. The circumstances then were quite eccentric, due to the coronavirus pandemic that paused the hockey world for months and pushed the season finale into an opinionated playoff bubble.
This time, the playoffs are normally played in spring (although overdue a month from the normal schedule), and home-ice advantage and live audience are back. However, the shortened regular season and corona-tailored divisions provide us some very unusual playoff pairs. Moreover, the traditional conference finals are now semi-finals between strangers — teams advancing to Round 3 will meet each other for the first time in several months!
Predicting the Stanley Cup winner
Last time we predicted Tampa would win it all, and they did. Let's see if they can repeat (and be the unanimous champions of the corona era), or if the favorite — it's the Vegas Golden Knights this season — can go all the way again and keep our prediction streak alive!
Stanley Cup winner prediction (after 3rd round)| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 54.54 % | 1.83 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 45.46 % | 2.2 |
Stanley Cup winner prediction (after 2nd round)| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Vegas Golden Knights | 28.39 % | 3.52 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 26.26 % | 3.81 |
| New York Islanders | 23.46 % | 4.26 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 21.89 % | 4.57 |
Stanley Cup winner prediction (after 1st round)| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | 13.96 % | 7.16 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 13.96 % | 7.16 |
| Boston Bruins | 13.0 % | 7.69 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 12.92 % | 7.74 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 12.44 % | 8.04 |
| New York Islanders | 11.74 % | 8.52 |
| Winnipeg Jets | 11.3 % | 8.85 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 10.69 % | 9.35 |
2021 Stanley Cup winner prediction| Team | pwin | Odds |
|---|
| Vegas Golden Knights | 7.12 % | 14.04 |
| Colorado Avalanche | 7.09 % | 14.1 |
| Boston Bruins | 6.58 % | 15.2 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 6.51 % | 15.36 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 6.46 % | 15.48 |
| Florida Panthers | 6.44 % | 15.53 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 6.44 % | 15.53 |
| Minnesota Wild | 6.39 % | 15.65 |
| Washington Capitals | 6.31 % | 15.85 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 6.14 % | 16.29 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 6.12 % | 16.34 |
| Nashville Predators | 5.97 % | 16.75 |
| St. Louis Blues | 5.79 % | 17.27 |
| New York Islanders | 5.77 % | 17.33 |
| Winnipeg Jets | 5.5 % | 18.18 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 5.37 % | 18.62 |
Check out our Stanley Cup winner predictions from last season to see how we did it and how we predict the postseason series.
Enjoy the postseason!
Sebastian