Why are the Florida Panthers the new favorites to win the Stanley Cup?
Throughout the NHL season, Yardbarker has kept tabs on the favorites at sportsbooks such as DraftKings to win the Stanley Cup in 2024. For the most part, the favorites have remained the same: The Boston Bruins have shuffled in and out of the top spot while other heavy hitters like the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights maintain short odds as well.
So, imagine our surprise this week when we took a look at the current odds to win the Stanley Cup and saw that DK's new favorite is — drumroll, please — the Florida Panthers at +750 (15-2) odds.
Sure, the Panthers made it to the Stanley Cup Final last season. And sure, they have continued to be a competitive force in the Eastern Conference. But the current Stanley Cup favorites?
Here's a look at potential reasons Florida is favored at DK to win it all this year.
From just a brief glance at the standings, it's fair to think Florida's favorable odds have to do with how the team has played over the last month. While other favorites like the Bruins and the Avalanche have losing records over their last 10 games — 3-3-4 and 3-5-2 respectively — the Panthers have gone 8-2-0 thanks in part to a six-game winning streak.
However, the Toronto Maple Leafs have also gone 8-2-0 and they are on a seven-game winning streak, but are listed at 13-1 at DK to win the Cup. So, perhaps the current performance isn't what has made Florida the favorite.
Could it be the road record? The Panthers have the best away record in the NHL this season, going 20-8-2 when they aren't at Amerant Bank Arena. They also just had an 11-game road winning streak ended by the Carolina Hurricanes. Florida's remaining road trips this season are predominantly against East Coast teams and, outside of matchups at Boston and Toronto, appear very winnable. If the Panthers continue to be road warriors, there's no denying their standing with oddsmakers will stay favorable.
One aspect of Florida's game that is likely responsible for them being the current Cup favorite is its goaltending duo. Sergei Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz have been a formidable tandem this season, and the Panthers have surrendered the second-fewest goals this season at 140. Only the Winnipeg Jets have given up fewer goals (133) which is probably why Connor Hellebuyck is the -250 favorite at DK to win the Vezina Trophy. Nevertheless, the Jets are listed at +1400 to win the Stanley Cup while the Panthers top the list, so having more than one solid netminder could be playing a role there.
How long will the Panthers stay atop this sportsbook's odds list to win the Stanley Cup? Only time will tell, especially with the NHL trade deadline rapidly approaching. But they are still worth keeping an eye on as you decide who to bet on to win the Final this year.
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