The Boston Bruins stood as the consensus favorites in the Stanley Cup odds for well over half of the season, but ultimately fell apart in Round 1 and lost in seven games to the No. 8 Florida Panthers.
That same Florida team has been defying NHL odds throughout the postseason en route to the Cup Final. What makes things even more interesting is the Panthers have taken out the favorite in each round, with Toronto favored heading into Round 2 and Carolina favored in Round 3.
As for the Vegas Golden Knights, they've yet to reach a Game 7 despite having to rely on Adin Hill after another goaltending injury bestowed itself upon the team. Vegas struck first in Sin City Saturday night, outclassing the Panthers for almost the entirety of the game. It then followed up that performance with a 7-2 decimation of Florida to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.
As the NHL postseason comes to a close, make sure to check Covers daily so you don't miss any of our NHL picks or playoff analysis. Be sure to also check out our Conn Smythe odds page to see who is favored to capture the coveted award throughout the Final!
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NHL Stanley Cup winner predictions 2023
Stanley Cup odds
The Florida Panthers (+450) are in the Stanley Cup Final after sweeping Carolina, yet they find themselves in a 2-0 hole and in desperation mode. Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights (-555) are sitting pretty after their Game 2 victory in which they dominated their opponent.
Nobody can argue that Florida was the inferior team in the first two games, but this team is used to the adversity and will more than likely make the proper adjustments for Game 3. You know what they say... a series doesn't start until someone wins on the road.
Series odds
| Team | To win | Win in 5 | Win in 6 | Win in 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panthers | +230 | N/A | +600 | +450 |
| Golden Knights | -280 | +250 | +280 | +320 |
Odds courtesy of bet365 as of June 9, 2023.
Upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs games
Stanley Cup favorites
Odds courtesy of FanDuel as of June 9, 2023.
- Vegas Golden Knights -270
- Florida Panthers +230
Stanley Cup Predictions FAQ
The Vegas Golden Knights are currently predicted to win the Stanley Cup.
The Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights are two remaining contenders to win the Stanley Cup.
The Panthers have already knocked out the higher-seeded Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, and Bruins. They'll try to do the same to the Knights.
Team defense, strength of goaltending, injuries, and playoff experience are good factors to consider when making Stanley Cup predictions.
