Best NHL dark horse picks to win the 2023 Stanley Cup
The NHL Playoffs are set to begin tonight, so if you haven’t already, it’s time to place a few bets on some teams to win it all.
In this article, we’re going to forget about the top dogs in the Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche. Instead, I’m going to break down some dark horse bets to win it all.
If there’s any North American professional sport that will see a longshot win it all, it’s the NHL.
So, let’s start off by taking a look at the list of odds to lift the Cup, and then I’ll give you three teams that can get it done.
Stanley Cup odds
Longshot Stanley Cup picks
Dallas Stars +1400
The Dallas Stars are the most underrated team in the NHL’s Western Conference. If you want any proof of that statement, just compare their Stanley Cup odds with the fact they finished with the highest goal differential in the conference at +67.
That’s right. A better goal differential than the Avalanche, Oilers, Golden Knights, and every other team in the West.
They’re one of the best defensive teams in the league and they also have one of the best young goalies in Jake Oettinger. This year, they have something they didn’t have in the past: An offense.
The Stars are +1400 might be the best value bet on the board.
Los Angeles Kings +2500
The Los Angeles Kings battled it out for the top spot in the Pacific Division, but they fell just short in the final stretch of the season. Still, the Kings have proven they can hang with the top teams in the league.
In fact, the Kings are fourth in expected goals against over each team’s last 25 games, and a trade deadline acquisition of Jonas Korpisalo has been the answer to their goaltending issues.
Korpisalo has a .921 save percentage since joining the Kings and that could be enough to get them over the hump this season.
Seattle Kraken +4000
The Seattle Kraken have everything you want in a contender outside of a goaltender. They’re close to the top of the NHL in most advanced analytics, but both of their netminders sport a sub .900 save percentage.
It’s a tall order, but at 40/1 they could be worth a sprinkle.
If Philipp Grubauer can get hot in the postseason, don’t be shocked if they go on a run starting with a first round upset of the defending champs.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
