The 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs are approaching. Teams are now hustling to win their divisions or simply secure their respective playoff spots. The Washington Capitals lead the league with 111 points. Meanwhile, it’s looking pretty wild in the West with Dallas and St. Louis tied for the top spot with the likes of Los Angeles also in the hunt.
It’s going to be one hell of a postseason when the Stanley Cup Playoffs come rolling in. It’s time to look at the best bets to impress in the playoffs with our Stanley Cup Odds update. For more on the NHL, check out our early 2016 NHL Entry Draft predictions.
NHL News and Predictions
- 2017 NHL Draft Winners and Losers
- TopBet Writers’ 2017 NHL Mock Draft Projections
- 2017-18 NHL Season Early Stanley Cup Futures Odds
2016 Stanley Cup Odds Update
Favorites
Washington Capitals
The Caps’ excellence goes even further to their special teams. They’re second in power play percentage (22.8) and fourth in penalty kill percentage (84.5). The Caps are coming with such ferocity. They have a goal-scoring monster in Alexander Ovechkin. They also have a brick wall for a goalie in Braden Holtby. Expect Washington to make a deep playoff run.
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are back to their kingly selves. They missed out on the playoffs last season after winning the Stanley Cup the year before. The Kings are now back on their pedestal as Pacific Division leaders thanks to star goalie Jonathan Quick and the league’s best defense (2.3 goals allowed per game).
The Kings have all the talent on offense to get them past their opponents. The trio of Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli each have 53 or more points this season. Meanwhile, Milan Lucic has also lent a scoring hand with 49 points. Expect the King to come forward with a vengeance this season.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are currently third in the Central Division. They also have the Minnesota Wild right on their tails just two points behind. But the Blackhawks aren’t afraid of conceding some ground heading into the playoffs. They were third in the division after the regular season when they won the Stanley Cup last year.
Sleepers
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are being underrated here. They are tied for the best record in the Western Conference with St. Louis but find themselves behind Los Angeles and Chicago odds-wise. But sleep on the Stars at your own peril. They can storm to a dominant playoff run using their blitzing offense.
Dallas is ranked first with 3.2 goals per game. Jamie Benn is their leader on the ice, leading the team in points (83), goals (37) and assists (46). Tyler Seguin also cannot be ignored with 33 goals. The Stars also have some championship experience to balance out their youth. Former Blackhawks and Stanley Cup champions Patrick Sharp and Johnny Oduya add some needed depth in the Stars lineup.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are red-hot at this moment. They’re 8-1 in their last nine games, including wins over the New York Rangers (twice) and Washington. The Penguins have plenty going for them, none more important than the stellar play of Sidney Crosby. The Pittsburgh captain is at his best when healthy. He leads the team with 31 goals, 46 assists and 77 points.
Crosby is surrounded by a good supporting cast. He can receive help from a pair of good attackers such as Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel. It’s going to be difficult to stop these Penguins, especially if goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is also on his game.
Long Shot
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are still hunting for a playoff spot. They’re four points behind Philadelphia for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Canes don’t have plenty of superstars on their team. But they do have a trio which could help them rack up some wins to make the playoffs. Jeff Skinner, Jordan Staal and Victor Rask are the only players with over 40 points among the Canes.
They’ll have to keep scoring if they have any hope of winning games. They don’t have very good goaltending, which is allowing 2.7 goals per game. But Carolina could be very dangerous in the playoffs. They have some big wins over Stanley Cup contenders, Anaheim, Chicago, St. Louis, Washington, Florida and the like throughout the regular season.
Writer’s Prediction
The Stars win the Stanley Cup.
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