NHL futures: Hottest teams at the All-Star break and our bets to reach the Stanley Cup Final
With the NHL heading on its All-Star break, it seemed like a great opportunity to take a look around both conferences and determine which teams are the hottest, and which may offer us the best betting value on the futures market.
Below are the four hottest teams on both sides and our current favorite betting picks to reach the Stanley Cup Final.
Western Conference
Edmonton Oilers
- Streak: 16 straight wins
- Last 10: 10-0
- Current place in conference standings: 6th
- Odds to win Conference: +330
Vancouver Canucks
- Streak: 1 straight win
- Last 10: 8-2
- Current place in conference standings: 1st
- Odds to win Conference: +650
Colorado Avalanche
- Streak: 3 straight wins
- Last 10: 7-3
- Current place in conference standings: 2nd
- Odds to win Conference: +380
Dallas Stars
- Streak: 3 straight wins
- Last 10: 7-2-1
- Current place in conference standings: 3rd
- Odds to win Conference: +650
Our favorite Western Conference bet right now
What's more shocking, that Edmonton has won 16 straight games or that they're still only sixth in the West despite the winning streak? This Oilers run has powered them to the top of the futures board in the West, and after coming close the past few seasons, maybe this is the year that Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and this Edmonton squad can reach the Stanley Cup Final.
A big reason for the Oilers' success has been the sudden dominance in net from Stuart Skinner. In January, Skinner topped the NHL with a .953 save percentage and 1.33 GAA, truly superb numbers.
There's also value on Vancouver here at +650. The Canucks own the best record in the West and just acquired Elias Lindholm on Wednesday to further strengthen their forward group. Quinn Hughes leads a talented defense group, and goaltender Thatcher Demko is sixth in the NHL in save percentage. The Canucks are very much for real and a nice value choice.
It's hard to trust Colorado right now until they get their defense and goaltending under control.
Our pick: Edmonton to win the West (+330)
Eastern Conference
Florida Panthers
- Streak: 4 straight wins
- Last 10: 6-2-2
- Current place in conference standings: 2nd
- Odds to win Conference: +500
Tampa Bay Lightning
- Streak: 3 straight wins
- Last 10: 8-2
- Current place in conference standings: 5th
- Odds to win Conference: +1200
Carolina Hurricanes
- Streak: 3 straight wins
- Last 10: 7-2-1
- Current place in conference standings: 4th
- Odds to win Conference: +500
Boston Bruins
- Streak: 2 straight wins
- Last 10: 7-1-2
- Current place in conference standings: 1st
- Odds to win Conference: +400
Our favorite Eastern Conference bet right now
Can the Bruins rid the demons of last year's record-breaking regular season that saw them fall in the opening round? They certainly have probably the best goalie tandem in hockey, with both Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark sitting inside the top-11 for best save percentage.
We're intrigued in the value on last year's Eastern Conference champs, the team that knocked out Boston: the Florida Panthers.
Florida is allowing the third-fewest goals per game this season and pairing that strong defense with a deep and talented offensive group. It would not shock us to see the Panthers go all-in and add another piece to complement Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov and the loads more strong forwards they bring to the table. Currently sitting with the second-best record in the East, we like Florida here, though they'd need to hop Boston in the table to secure home-ice for the first two rounds and beyond.
Our pick: Florida to win the East (+500)
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