One of the best NHL bets right now is on the next conference championship winners — both in the East and West. Don’t know where to put your money? We got you right here. Keep reading and we’ll share our very best betting advice on this futures wager!
Best Bets To Win NHL Conference Titles
Any sports bettor, unless they were born yesterday, should know that the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs are as unpredictable as any postseason in sports. There are countless examples to cite, but the most recent one was a year ago. Only one of the top-four regular-season teams even made it to the Conference Finals. Knowing that, you almost have to make multiple bets on the NHL conference championship in 2024.
We most certainly are, especially at this point in the year where one-third of the regular season still remains. You want backup bets in case the main wager flames out or suffers a costly injury. Therefore, we’ve gone ahead and picked two teams from both the Eastern and Western Conference. Here’s who we got:
Eastern Conference Picks
First things first, let’s take a hard look at the Eastern Conference title-winning odds. Currently available at top betting sites for NHL, these teams are the favorites to head to the Stanley Cup Finals:
| Team |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Panthers | +400 | +400 | +400 |
| Boston Bruins | +425 | +425 | +425 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +450 | +450 | +450 |
| New York Rangers | +500 | +500 | +500 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +700 | +700 | +700 |
The Panthers are the current betting favorites, and they’re also one of our picks. This team caught everyone by surprise in last year’s playoffs, going from an eighth seed to the conference winner. This year, there will be no surprises because Florida has been consistently good season the start. They have the second most points in the NHL with a 37-15-mark at the moment.
They get our first bet because they’re red-hot again. Since January 22 — exactly a month ago — the Panthers have won nine of 10. Even more impressive, they’re currently riding 11 straight wins on the road. It’s tough for us to fade this type of momentum so Florida is a no-brainer choice to begin with.
Momentum is also why the Rangers get our backup bet. Here we have a team that’s won eight in a row, the most recent one being a Western Conference contender we’re putting money on too (more on that soon). This streak has catapulted them atop the Metropolitan Division with a 37-16-3 mark.
The big reason for New York’s turnaround is goaltender Igor Shesterkin. The former Vezina Trophy winner has had a rough 2023-24 campaign, even losing his starting job at one point. That was then and this now, and Shesterkin is routinely his .900 SV% or better. We still see Shesterkin as an elite netminder, and that’s usually a key to success in the postseason. Rangers are a good betting play if Shesterkin keeps it up.
Western Conference Picks
Now we move out West. It doesn’t get any easier picking out here either. Here’s the latest Western Conference championship odds:
| Team | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edmonton Oilers | +350 | +350 | +350 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +450 | +450 | +450 |
| Dallas Stars | +500 | +500 | +500 |
| Vancouver Canucks | +550 | +550 | +550 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +650 | +650 | +650 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +700 | +700 | +700 |
One bet, our priority pick, is going on Edmonton. The Oilers have been in the thick of the Western Conference title race each of the past two years — going to the finals and semi-finals. That’s largely been on the backs of two generational players, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Those two remain in the mix, and if anything, they’re now in their primes. McDavid is 27 and Draisaitl is 28.
But those two aren’t why we’re backing the Oilers. Well, it is because these two are still stud playmakers. But Edmonton gets our money cause, for once, they’ve built a solid supporting cast around the two stars. This Oilers team has some depth, evidenced by having seven double-digit goal-scorers on the roster, and another five averaging around a point per game. We won’t be shocked if Edmonton finally “exercises the demons” of years past.
As for our plan B bet, both Dallas and Vancouver came to mind first. Each team is leading their division at the moment, but at the same time, both have lost three in a row at the moment. So which one is the better play?
We’re going with the Stars. Goaltender Jake Oettinger has been plagued by injuries this season. However, he’s finally looking and playing like he’s in prime shape. With the goalie's gradual improvement, this Dallas team can really find another gear. We’re betting they do.
How To Bet On NHL Conference Championship?
The NHL trade deadline is about two weeks away. For all we know, a few moves will drastically change the conference-title odds we’ve listed on this page. That’s why if you want to bet on the NHL conference championship at the aforementioned odds, time is of the essence.
Bets can be locked in at any of the bookmakers listed below. The sites listed rated the highest in our latest sportsbook reviews. Not only are they each flat-out good bookies, but they’re also gifting free play via lucrative sign-up bonuses. These deals could bankroll your NHL betting for free too. See the table for a list of our favorite deals:
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