Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin Saturday, and no team has really set itself apart from the pack this year.
The Carolina Hurricanes are technically favored at +600 to win, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. At this point in the season, that price doesn’t really represent a clear edge compared to the field.
With no one priced better than +600 and six teams priced between in the +600 to +800 range, this year’s battle for the Stanley Cup is as wide open as we’ve seen in a decade.
After the Hurricanes, we have the Panthers at +700, the Stars at +750, and the Rangers, Oilers and Avalanche all priced at +800.
According to Sports Odds History, this is the highest-priced favorite entering round one of the playoffs in more than 10 years, with the closest comparison being in 2011-12, when the Rangers were +550 entering the playoffs.
2024 NHL Stanley Cup odds
It’s at least a little surprising that the Rangers aren’t favored by anyone to win the Stanley Cup, considering they were the Presidents’ Trophy winner during the regular season.
But as Post-Action Betting’s Michael Leboff pointed out, the Rangers are just +1 in goal differential in 5-on-5, with strong power play and penalty kill carrying them most of the way.
Another piece of this equation is projected matchups within the playoff bracket, which is largely division-based.
This makes for some shoddy matchups for some teams; for instance, the Oilers get particularly favorable matchups, avoiding the triumvirate of the Stars, Golden Knights, and Avalanche in the West until the conference finals.
The Panthers await the Rangers in round two if that side of the bracket is chalk in round one. NHLI via Getty ImagesBetting on the NHL?
- Check out the best NHL betting sites
- Read our expert guide on how to bet on the NHL
Meanwhile, the Panthers have a tougher road, having to go through the Tampa Bay Lightning, as well as the Maple Leafs-Bruins winner.
The tough draw for the Panthers hasn’t had much effect on their odds, though, they’ve been hovering around +650 and +700 for the better part of a month at BetMGM.






