2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Options And Dark Horses To Watch

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One simply cannot resist the allure of Stanley Cup Playoffs hockey. The elation of triumph, the agony of defeat… and the blissful freedom of being released from the burden of choosing between unwavering support for the Detroit Red Wings or seeking solace in an alternative.

Although Detroit’s season came to a close on Saturday, there are numerous opportunities to partake in the excitement. The only obstacle lies in determining the most suitable bet for you.

Hedging your Red Wings disappointment

As of Thursday, the top six teams in DraftKings Sportsbook’s Stanley Cup futures odds are the Colorado Avalanche with +450 odds to win, followed by the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes at +700, the Tampa Bay Lightning at +800, and the Boston Bruins at +1100. For a lifelong Wings fan, this lineup of teams poses some challenging decisions.

Whether it’s the current annoyances in the Central division, long-standing rivalries, or the Original Six foes, the Wings hold a grudge against all these teams for various reasons. Even though the Las Vegas Golden Knights (+550) have the second-best odds among NHL teams, they are not even considered the favorites to emerge from their own division.

I don’t believe in it.

Sports betting often creates a conflict between emotions and reason, but perhaps that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If you genuinely believe that one of these teams will emerge victorious, why not use your suffering as an opportunity to make some extra cash?

It is often claimed that success is the ultimate revenge, and there is no better way to achieve it than by winning money through a rival’s victory in the Stanley Cup.

Breaking down the West wing

However, due to the regulations in Hockeytown, we may not be able to explicitly endorse placing a bet on the Avs. Moreover, their odds at +450 are not very favorable, especially considering the fact that they have to face Vegas in order to advance from their division.

According to BetMGM Sportsbook, Colorado is highly favored by bettors outside of Michigan, owning 26.1% of all bets placed. However, within the state, the data from BetMGM shows that Vegas (+550) has surpassed Colorado as the favorite in Michigan. Considering the significance of goaltending in playoffs, one might be inclined to give the edge to Vegas.

Both the Avs and Golden Knights are formidable teams, making it quite challenging to determine the clear Stanley Cup champion between them.

Central Division weather club

The Tampa Bay Lightning, who are the defending Cup champions, are reportedly set to have Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos returning to the team, while goaltender Andrei Vaslivsky is performing exceptionally. With their undeniable talent, the Lightning have the highest betting potential among all teams on the board, making them a clear favorite for a potential repeat championship.

However, they are also faced with a challenging in-state opponent in Round 1.

Carolina stands out as the most favorable option for a Wings fan among the top contenders, and there is evidence supporting this claim. Specifically, 29.17% of the bets placed by Michigan residents on PointsBet favor the Hurricanes, which is understandable considering the attractive odds of +900 offered by the sportsbook.

Carolina made history in the NHL by becoming the earliest team to secure their division title, triumphing over the formidable defending champions, the Lightning. With a clean bill of health, the team possesses an exceptional goaltending duo in rookie Alex Nedeljkovic (.932 save%) and former Red Wing Petr Mrazek (.923), potentially making them one of, if not the best, goaltending tandems this season, provided they can withstand the pressure.

Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov, younger brother of Red Wings prospect Evgeny Svechnikov, are among the young stars on their team who are easy to cheer for.

Ghosts of Stanley Cup Playoffs past

The Maple Leafs’ last series victory dates back to 2004, and their pursuit of the Stanley Cup Playoffs triumph has been fruitless since 1967.

It’s a challenging proposition considering their highest chances are at +700 across most books.

However, their divisional victory drought since 2000 was finally put to rest as they effortlessly conquered the North. Auston Matthews solidified his position as one of the game’s finest by netting an impressive 40 goals in just 50 games. With an abundance of firepower and depth, this team becomes an enticing choice for betting, despite the distractions.

Although the prospect of facing the Montreal Canadiens in Round 1 intensifies the anxiety, it is important to acknowledge that this team possesses exceptional capabilities, making it unlikely for them to continue experiencing perpetual failures.

Could it be that they are not?

Been there, done that

The Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Washington Capitals, rivals in the Eastern Division, share several similarities.

Every team in that division boasts one of the top players in the world, has successfully won the Stanley Cup Playoffs with their current core, and has acquired a talented scoring winger during the deadline. Predicting the outcome of this division will be incredibly challenging, especially with the New York Islanders being a formidable presence. However, it is almost certain that at least one of these teams will make it to the conference final. So, choose your favorite team (or maybe two), and let the excitement unfold.

FanDuel has Boston and Pittsburgh listed at odds of +1300, while DraftKings offers the Capitals at +1700. However, there is a dilemma when it comes to betting on Washington. As the Capitals make progress, the value of the first-round draft pick that the Red Wings acquired from them in the Anthony Mantha trade also increases.

How about considering them as potential contenders for the 2024 playoffs, eh?

Defense wins championships

One reason why the Islanders and Jets are an intriguing choice is their emphasis on defense, which is known to be crucial in winning championships. Under Barry Trotz’s defense-first approach, the Islanders boasted the league’s second-best goals-against average (2.31) this season.

Despite being considered an underdog in the East, New York has displayed potential to be the top team in their division throughout the season. If you’re looking to place a bet on the Islanders, your best option would be on DraftKings with odds set at +2000.

Although the Winnipeg Jets didn’t excel at preventing goals this season, they possess the current Vezina Trophy holder, Connor Hellebuyck, who hails from Walled Lake. Just like the Dallas Stars demonstrated in the previous playoffs, having a goaltender on fire can be the key to success. With +3500 odds provided by PointsBet and BetMGM, the Jets emerge as an intriguing and potentially lucrative choice.

The magic of Stanley Cup Playoffs’ No. 3 seeds

Despite the Panthers’ continuous efforts to compete with Carolina and Tampa Bay throughout the season, they find themselves in a lower tier compared to their two division rivals.

Congratulations! That is a surefire way to achieve financial success. Although it is unfortunate that defenseman Aaron Ekblad is sidelined for the entire year, it is undoubtedly a significant blow. However, the Panthers have managed to secure the third position in goals scored. If they continue to rely on the exceptional performance of Chris Driedger, who achieved an impressive fifth place in save percentage (.927) throughout the regular season, they have a strong chance of excelling.

If they can address the areas that need improvement, this team has the potential to be a formidable force in the playoffs. With a genuine chance to win the Central crown, the +2000 odds on PointsBet offer great value.

Kirill Kaprizov’s arrival in Minnesota marked a significant turning point for the Wild, bringing an unprecedented level of excitement to the franchise. Despite facing relatively weak competition in the Western Conference, the team showcased impressive performance throughout the season.

However, they ranked ninth in terms of goals-against and seventh in goals-for. Their record against Vegas was 5-1-2, while against Colorado it was 3-5. In this tournament, anything is possible, and Minnesota, with odds of +2500 on FanDuel, could very well be considered a strong dark horse contender.

Who’s the best player available?

I firmly believe that, against all odds, there will come a postseason when Connor McDavid will exhibit an unprecedented determination and single-handedly lead the Edmonton Oilers to a Stanley Cup victory.

It could be the year for the Oilers. Despite McDavid’s extraordinary performance, scoring 100 points in just 53 games and 33 points in the last 12, they are still ranked below Toronto on the odds-sheet. This is quite disappointing.

There will always be concerns about scoring, defensive depth, and goalie performance with the current Oilers team. In last year’s NHL Bubble play-in round, Mikko Koskinen and Mike Smith had a combined save percentage of .869 in the 3-1 failure against Chicago. However, Smith has made a strong comeback this season with a .924 save percentage in 29 starts.

It wouldn’t come as a surprise to witness Edmonton emerging as the victor in the North. On FanDuel, you can place a bet on Edmonton with odds of +2200. If you have a soft spot for McDavid and enjoy cheering for him, this bet is definitely worth considering.

Stanley Cup Playoffs longshots

Listen, if you’re keen on placing a few dollars on the Nashville Predators or Canadiens, or holding out hope that the St. Louis Blues will unexpectedly shine in the postseason like we mentioned with the Penguins, Caps, or Bruins, then go ahead without anyone trying to dissuade you.

St. Louis is being offered at +4100 by FanDuel, which could be a tempting bet. However, it’s important to note that they will probably have to face both Colorado and Vegas to make it to the conference final. Additionally, they fought hard for a playoff spot until the very end.

Montreal is available at +3000 odds on FanDuel. The North division is unpredictable, with subpar goaltending overall.

Despite their multiple 7-1 victories over the Red Wings this season, it is important not to be deceived: The Predators are considered the least probable team to win the Cup, both based on observation and according to the sportsbooks. They would face a similar path through the divisional rounds as St. Louis, but lack the championship-winning experience.

FanDuel offers the highest chances for Nashville at +4100, yet it’s hard to deny the fact that no amount of money can make supporting those mustard uniforms enjoyable.

Promos and quick hits

• Individual games offer the simplest short-term bets, yet in playoff hockey, they can be equally challenging to win. The intense emotional intensity from game to game may obscure one’s judgment, but it can also be utilized to one’s advantage.
• FanDuel now provides parlay insurance of up to $25 in case you only miss one leg of a parlay with five or more legs. While parlays may not offer significant value, they can be an enjoyable way to experience all the excitement of a particular night’s action with minimal risk. The thrill of potentially winning big on a small bet is always captivating, even if the odds are not in your favor.
• DFS follows the same principle, yet the multitude of pool choices in these games enables a significant reduction in the risk-reward ratio. DraftKings even presents a daily competition without requiring an entry fee.
• When it comes to props, online sportsbooks provide a plethora of intriguing statistics that can greatly influence your bets, especially if you’re feeling less confident.

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