Stanley Cup Odds Report, Trends: Everything You Need To Know

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Stanley Cup odds are finally moving to the forefront. As the first round moves along, 12 teams are still in the mix for the esteemed chalice.

The New York Rangers finished atop the Eastern Conference – and atop the entire NHL – while the Dallas Stars were No. 1 in the Western Conference. But it's the Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers leading odds to win the Stanley Cup.

Here's everything you need to know about 2024 Stanley Cup odds: action, line movement and betting trends. Check back regularly for updates and use our BetMGM bonus code to get the most out of your action.

Stanley Cup Odds

Hurricanes Howling

When the playoffs opened, the Carolina Hurricanes were +650 chalk on BetMGM's Stanley Cup odds board. Carolina (52-23-2-5) finished the regular season with 111 points, behind only the Islanders (114) and Stars (113).

After a 4-1 first-round series win over the New York Islanders, the 'Canes moved to +450 co-favorites to lift the chalice. Carolina finally cooled off in Game 1 of Round 2, losing the opener against the New York Rangers.

Still, Carolina is at +550, behind only the co-favorite Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers.

A good chunk of Carolina's move came in the six weeks leading up to the playoffs. In early March, the Hurricanes were the +1100 co-sixth choice. But Carolina went 16-4-0-1 over its final 21 regular-season games, racking up 33 points in the process. Then the 'Canes took a 3-0 series lead against the Islanders while rolling through that series.

"I'm not surprised. The Hurricanes had a strong team for a few years now and looked very good to end the regular season," BetMGM trader Christian Cipollini said.

The March 11 opening of legal/regulated sports betting in North Carolina led to increased activity on the Hurricanes.

"We've certainly taken more money on them this year than in prior years. The North Carolina launch has contributed to that," Cipollini said, while noting the book still wouldn't mind a Carolina championship. "It's one of our better outcomes at the moment."

Liability Leaders

In digital betting (mobile/online), Carolina, Colorado and the New York Rangers are the largest liabilities for BetMGM in odds to win the Stanley Cup. Albeit not in the exact same order. The Rangers are the liability leader, with the Avalanche No. 2 and the Hurricanes No. 3.

However, when factoring in retail betting, the Avalanche aren't as much of a factor. Further, as noted above, BetMGM would take a Carolina title.

"The Oilers and Rangers are the two main teams we are rooting against. Both are bad outcomes for us," Cipollini said. ""To a lesser degree, the Canucks, who had a high price point at the beginning of the season."

New York is the +550 co-third choice, along with Carolina and the Dallas Stars. As noted above, Edmonton is the +450 co-favorite at BetMGM. Vancouver opened +5000, got as short as +900 in the first round and is now +1600. Colorado is the +600 sixth choice.

Flying Under the Radar

The Florida Panthers (52-24-4-2) racked up 110 points this season. That was good for third in the East and tied for fourth in the entire league. In so doing, the Panthers surged all the way to No. 2 in BetMGM's Stanley Cup futures odds market.

Now, as mentioned above, Florida is the co-No. 1 at +450 to win the trophy. The Panthers won their first-round series vs. Tampa Bay 4-1.

Yet somehow, Florida continues to fly under the radar, dodging bettors' attention. In digital betting at BetMGM – wagers taken via online/mobile platforms – the Panthers are a distant ninth in both ticket count and money in odds to win the Stanley Cup.

"Florida never takes any bets," Cipollini said. "The Panthers were one of our best results last year and stay that way this year. We'll be rooting for them to come out of the East."

Cipollini pointed to two other teams he thinks are worth.

"Two that I like that haven't taken a ton of action are the Stars and Canucks," he said.

Vancouver (+1600) survived a seven-game series with Nashville, winning Game 7 on the road.

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Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson