Last year the Colorado Avalanche proved to be the best team in hockey from opening night to the Stanley Cup title. This year, the Avalanche suffered through a Stanley Cup championship hangover for the season’s first half. However, Colorado has picked up the pace in the stretch drive to the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Indeed, the Avalanche shows the power of branding with the NHL betting odds. Causal gamblers consistently go with defending champion. Especially when they are in good form. Yet Vegas, Edmonton, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Minnesota could bring more value.
2023 NHL Western Conference Championship Odds
| Date: | Stanley Cup Playoffs Start April 17, 2022 |
|---|
NHL Western Conference Championship Odds at SBG
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | +300 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +490 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +450 |
| Dallas Stars | +600 |
| Los Angeles Kings | +850 |
| Minnesota Wild | +900 |
| Seattle Kraken | +1300 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +1200 |
| Calgary Flames | +2100 |
| All Other Teams | +6500 or higher |
Cashier’s Cage Buried by Avalanche
Late on, the Colorado Avalanche won nine of its previous ten games. Colorado has the look of a team preparing for another Stanley Cup run. Colorado is in a 3-way fight with the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars for the Central Division lead. The big online wagering question is if goaltender Alexander Georgiev can match par with Darcy Kuemper. Last year Kuemper backstopped the Avs to the Stanley Cup title before moving on to the Washington Capitals.
So far, Georgiev is showing a similar ability to Kuemper. Georgiev has a .919 save percentage with a 2.54 goals against average. His record is 34-15-5 with five shutouts.
Of course, Colorado is an offensive powerhouse. Mikko Rantanen leads the Avs with 48 goals. Additionally, power forward Nathan MacKinnon adds 32 goals, 63 assists, and a +23. And then Cale Makar is the best defenseman in the NHL. Makar has 17 goals, 49 assists, and a +16.
Vegas Brings Hot Dice to Ice
At the onset of the season, the Vegas Golden Knights were more sluggish than usual. Vegas has gotten the money in nine out of their last ten games. As a result, the Golden Knights have taken the Pacific Division lead. But the Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers are right behind. Still, there are concerns about the Vegas metrics. To illuminate, the Golden Knights rank 15th for goal scoring, 18th for power play efficiency, 10th for goals against, and 17th for penalty killing. Those are not the numbers of a Stanley Cup champion.
Edmonton Seeks to Strike Oil with NHLK’s Best Player
On the whole, the Edmonton Oilers have an NHL betting advantage that no other team can match. Specifically, that edge comes in the person of Connor McDavid, the NHL’s best player. McDavid has 60 goals, 80 assists, and a +14. And then Leon Draisaitl is the perfect partner with 46 goals, 68 assists, and a +1. Of major concern is the Oilers’ goaltending ability. First goalie Stuart Skinner has a .909 save percentage and 2.93 goals against average. While those are good numbers, they are not dominant. And Skinner is unproven in the playoffs.
Los Angeles Seeks a New Crown
Since the All-Star break, the Los Angeles Kings have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL. The big reason is a recommitment to the defensive structure that made the Kings successful in the past. However, Pheonix Copley is a questionable #1 goaltender.