Betting on Stanley Cup 2024 – All you need to know
The Stanley Cup, steeped in tradition and revered as possibly the sport’s ultimate prize, holds a special place in the hearts of hockey fans worldwide. As the 2024 NHL season is about 2 months away from ending, anticipation surges for yet another thrilling journey towards crowning a new champion in the Stanley Cup playoffs that starts on Monday, April 22nd.
The one thing that can make the playoffs even more thrilling is to bet on your favourite team while watching the games. That is why the team here at Casinojungle.ca has taken a closer look at all the various betting site options that are available right now and what you can expect as a player. We’ll also share our predictions and all the teams that are favorites to win the playoffs – all of this below.
Origins and Legacy of the Stanley Cup
But first, let’s talk briefly about the origins of the cup. The Stanley Cup’s origins trace back to 1893 when Lord Stanley of Preston, then Governor General of Canada, donated a trophy to be awarded to the best amateur hockey team in Canada. Over the years, the competition evolved, eventually becoming the pinnacle of professional hockey excellence in North America. The cup’s legacy is etched with tales of triumph, heartbreak, and the indomitable spirit of competition.
Last Year’s Winner: Vegas Golden Knights
In a stunning display of skill and determination, the Vegas Golden Knights emerged victorious in the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs. This triumph marked the franchise’s first-ever Stanley Cup championship, solidifying their place in hockey history.
Guided by a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talents, the Golden Knights showcased their resilience and prowess on the ice, navigating through tough competition to claim hockey’s most prestigious trophy.
How’s the 2023/24 season going so far?
We’re about 60 games into the season – a season that has been filled with excitement and uncertainty. What is certain, however, is that we’re reaching the fourth quarter of the season, and we’re starting to see a clearer picture of which teams we will see in the playoffs. We’ll go through all the divisions separately below.
Eastern – Atlantic Division:
In the Atlantic Division, all eyes are on the top two teams: the Florida Panthers and the Boston Bruins. Having faced off twice this season, the Boston Bruins emerged victorious on both occasions, solidifying their status as the frontrunner to win the division. However, with several games remaining, including two upcoming matchups on March 27th and April 6th, the race is far from over.
As for the third playoff spot in the division, the race is tight. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and Tampa Bay Lightning are all in contention, with each team closely matched in terms of points. The battle for this coveted position promises to be intense as the season progresses.
Eastern – Metropolitan Division:
In the Metropolitan Division, one team has dominated the competition: the New York Rangers. With an unbeaten home record and only three losses on the road, the Rangers have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Metro Division.
Meanwhile, the remaining teams in the division are neck and neck in terms of points and statistics, with one notable exception – the Columbus Blue Jackets. Trailing by 14 points behind the current seventh-ranked team, the New York Islanders, the Blue Jackets face an uphill battle to climb the standings.
Western – Central Division:
In the Central Division, three teams stand out from the rest: the Winnipeg Jets, the Dallas Stars, and the Colorado Avalanche. Each team has enjoyed a strong season, with no signs of slowing down. The Nashville Predators currently occupy the fourth spot in the division and have the best chance of breaking into the top three. However, the outlook is less optimistic for the remaining teams in the division, although anything can happen in hockey.
Western – Pacific Division:
Turning to the Pacific Division in the Western Conference, all eyes are on the Vancouver Canucks, who have asserted their dominance with 20 home wins and are on the cusp of reaching 20 away wins as well. With 83 points, the Canucks lead the division.
In second place, we have the defending Stanley Cup finalists, the Vegas Golden Knights, closely followed by the Edmonton Oilers. While these three teams seem poised to secure playoff spots, the Los Angeles Kings, Calgary Flames, and Seattle Kraken remain in contention. However, the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks find themselves at the bottom of the division standings with very little hope of breaking into the top three spots.
Predicted Winners of the Stanley Cup 2024
This season has proven to be particularly challenging to predict, which becomes especially evident when examining the odds for various teams to secure the outright win. Nonetheless, four teams stand out prominently:
- Edmonton Oilers – Odds range between 8 and 10.0
- Florida Panthers – Odds range between 8.5 and 11.0
- New York Rangers – Odds range between 9 and 11.0
- Vancouver Canucks – Odds range between 10 and 12.0
It’s somewhat surprising to see the Edmonton Oilers ranked this highly at this juncture of the season, given that they’ve been outperformed statistically by several other teams. However, this ambiguity underscores the unpredictable nature of the current season.
Nevertheless, there are numerous alternative ways to wager on the Stanley Cup beyond selecting the outright winner. For example, predicting which teams will emerge as the top three in each division by season’s end. Yet, acquiring odds ranges for these bets can be challenging due to significant variations among betting sites. Despite this, here are the current top predicted winners for each division.
- Atlantic Division:
- Boston Bruins
- Florida Panthers
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Metropolitan Division:
- New York Rangers
- Carolina Hurricanes
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Central Division:
- Dallas Stars
- Winnipeg Jets
- Colorado Avalanche
- Pacific Division:
- Vancouver Canucks
- Vegas Golden Knights
- Edmonton Oilers
Our prediction for the Stanley Cup 2024
At this juncture of the season, with many teams demonstrating exceptional performance, making a definitive prediction is challenging. Nonetheless, we’ve made our selections. Let’s begin with our picks for the division winners:
- Atlantic: Boston Bruins
- Metro: New York Rangers
- Central: Colorado Avalanche
- Pacific: Vancouver Canucks
While these choices may not come as a surprise at this point in the article, our predicted winner of the Stanley Cup might raise some eyebrows. We foresee the Vegas Golden Knights reclaiming the Stanley Cup in 2024 once again.
Betting on the Stanley Cup Winner
With the NHL season in full swing, sports betting enthusiasts eagerly analyze the odds and wager on their favorite teams’ chances of Stanley Cup success. Sportsbooks offer a myriad of betting options, from outright winner predictions to individual player props, providing fans with opportunities to engage with the action on a deeper level.
Best Odds for the 2024 Season
While predicting the outcome of the Stanley Cup playoffs is inherently unpredictable, sportsbooks provide odds that reflect the perceived likelihood of each team’s success. Factors such as roster strength, recent performance, and injury status influence betting lines, creating opportunities for savvy bettors to capitalize on favorable odds and potential upsets.
That said, there is no betting website with the best odds – it all boils down to what type of betting you’re after – and it differs from game to game and from sport to sport. Hence, it’s always important to compare odds across various betting sites before placing your bets.
Best Way of Watching NHL and Stanley Cup
For fans eager to immerse themselves in the excitement of NHL action and the Stanley Cup playoffs, various viewing options abound. Whether watching from home or attending games in person, fans can experience the thrill of hockey’s premier competition through a variety of avenues.
How to Watch NHL on TV in Canada
In Canada, hockey is a cultural phenomenon, and television broadcasts offer extensive coverage of NHL games throughout the season. Networks like Sportsnet, TVA, RSN and CBC provide comprehensive coverage of regular-season matchups, playoff games, and Stanley Cup finals, ensuring fans don’t miss a moment of the action.
How to Attend NHL Games in Arenas
For fans eager to experience the electrifying atmosphere of live NHL hockey, attending games in person offers an unmatched thrill. Tickets are available for purchase through various channels, including team websites, ticketing platforms, and authorized resellers, catering to diverse budgets and preferences. Whether opting for single-game tickets or season passes, fans have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the excitement of NHL action firsthand.
It’s worth noting that the average ticket price for a Stanley Cup game last year stood at $4,196. Over the past three years, the average ticket price has seen a significant increase, suggesting a continuing trend. As such, fans should anticipate potential further increases in ticket prices for the current season.
Conclusion
As the 2024 NHL season hurtles towards the Stanley Cup playoffs, excitement and anticipation are reaching a fever pitch among hockey enthusiasts worldwide. With each game fraught with tension and drama, the quest for the championship takes on an exhilarating edge, heightened by the unpredictability of sports betting. Fans eagerly await the unfolding drama, whether from the comfort of their living rooms or in the electrifying atmosphere of arenas. The spectacle of NHL action is unparalleled, and the legacy of the Stanley Cup, steeped in tradition and glory, adds an extra layer of significance to every matchup as teams battle for the right to etch their names into hockey lore. For hockey fans looking to immerse themselves even more in the game by betting on the outcomes, there are plenty of options to choose from. However, always remember to compare the odds before placing your bets.
