The Chicago Blackhawks are at the top of the Western Conference heading in to the NHL playoffs. With home ice advantage and a favorable first round matchup it should be no surprise that they are the sports betting favorites to reach the Stanley Cup Finals out of the West. Chicago is once again a Stanley Cup favorite but it will have some tough competition along the way. Here is a look at the odds to win the Western Conference for all eight playoff teams.
Chicago Blackhawks
Odds To Win Eastern Conference: +200
Even after the salary cap limited the potential of its overall depth, Chicago has managed to stay at the top of the Western Conference. Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook are the familiar faces. Meanwhile, Artemi Panarin, Richard Panik, Ryan Hartman and Nick Shmaltz have helped fill key holes to keep this team on top. It will be interesting to see how both groups fare in the postseason. The Blackhawks own an intriguing blend of experience and talent so it’s no surprise they are the favorites in the Western Conference.
Minnesota Wild
Odds To Win Eastern Conference: +300
Minnesota is listed right behind Chicago at +300 odd to win the West. Considering their collapse down the final stretch of the regular season, they might not have many backers. The Wild went 4-10-2 from March 2nd through April 1st before putting together four straight wins to close out the regular season. Devan Dubnyk had Vezina trophy-worthy numbers in the first half, but he went 13-11-2 with a 2.82 goals against average and a .904 save percentage after the All-Star break. Minnesota has enough talent to make it past the first round. However, it’s unlikely they still deserve to be listed at +300 to win the West.
Anaheim Ducks
Odds To Win Eastern Conference: +700
The Ducks are a decent value pick to win the West at +700 odds. Anaheim went 14-2-3 from March 3rd on to win the Pacific Division title and they are the hottest team in the West heading in to the postseason. John Gibson has been excellent in goal for the Ducks, while Jonathan Bernier has emerged as a capable backup. Anaheim is extremely deep with Rickard Rackell, Jacob Silfverberg and Patrick Eaves emerging to compliment Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler and Corey Perry up front.
San Jose Sharks
Odds To Win Eastern Conference: +800
The Sharks expelled some of their demons by finally reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in the NHL playoffs a year ago. It will be interesting to see whether or not they have enough left in the tank to make another run. This could be the final opportunity for a core veteran group that features Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau and Brent Burns. San Jose has the talent and depth to make a run but after coming up short a year ago they might not have enough left in the tank to make another Stanley Cup run.
Edmonton Oilers
Odds To Win Eastern Conference: +900
Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Cam Talbot lead the Oilers back to the NHL playoffs as one of the most intriguing teams in the West. Edmonton clearly has the talent up front to make some noise. However, they will need to be even better in their own end in the postseason and Talbot will need to perform at a high level.
The lack of playoff experience could hurt the Oilers. This is a young team that put it all together this year but as a roster, they don’t have a lot of players that have been there and done that. That could catch up with them at some point.
However, with so much talent Edmonton could be a dark horse contender in the West at +900 odds to reach the Stanley Cup this postseason.
Calgary Flames
Odds To Win Eastern Conference: +900
The Flames can score goals in bunches but there are obvious question marks about their goaltending situation and lack of experience. Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau, Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk all played important roles in the team’s success this season. Now they will be tested as players without Stanley Cup experience. Just as with the Oilers, it figures to catch up with them. At the same time, with a lot of young guns on the roster, they might not feel the pressure and just play loose.
Brian Elliott will need to perform at a high level for Calgary to have a shot at getting past the first round. However, even with an elite performance from Elliott, it’s hard to envision the Flames getting past the opening round in the West.
Nashville Predators
Odds To Win Eastern Conference: +1200
There are a number of experts prediction the predators could be a dark horse contender in the West. However, there are some obvious flaw with that prediction. Nashville ranked outside the top-10 in both goals per game and goals allowed per game. That’s a big concern. The Predators had just two players reach the 60-point mark and only two 30-goal scorers. Pekka Rinne is coming off a relatively mediocre season as he posted a 2.42 goals against average and a .918 save percentage that doesn’t inspire confidence. He hasn’t been elite in nearly two years.
Some will take Nashville as a dark horse to win the West. However, it might be smarter to pass on the Predators this postseason. They don’t look like they have some clear-cut flaws that will hold them back.
St. Louis Blues
Odds To Win Western Conference: +1350
The Blues are another long shot team that might be better to pass on this postseason. St. Louis really buckled down defensively over the final couple of months of the regular season. However, Jake Allen was inconsistent at best this year and the Blues don’t boast the scoring depth to overcome any setbacks if they struggle defensively.
St. Louis could surprise in the first round against a Minnesota team that struggled down the stretch. However, considering their flaws it’s hard to envision the Blues going much further than the second round in the West. And don’t forget, the Blues have had a long history of coming up short in the NHL playoffs. It doesn’t seem like this would be the year they get over that.
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