Stanley Cup futures odds are determined by oddsmakers who constantly evaluate NHL teams, factoring in current performance, the health of top players, and other nuances as they arise. Last season, the Colorado Avalanche prevailed over the Tampa Bay Lightning to win a third Stanley Cup Trophy for the franchise.

There’s a number of changes that began in 2022 for US viewing audiences. Games have transitioned over from NBC Universal and NHL Network over to Disney (ESPN/ABC) and Turner (TBS/TNT) networks. The schedule also seems to be very balanced with teams playing every other night.

Current Stanley Cup Odds

 

After taking the title last season, the Colorado Avalanche are the early favorites to repeat for the 2023 Stanley Cup trophy. While it’s happened twice recently (Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay), it’s hard for NHL teams to repeat as back-to-back champions. But Colorado is available to select for those wanting to place early wagers.

Despite constantly blowing it early on, the Toronto Maple Leafs are near the top again due to their talented roster. The Lightning are back as top-tier contenders. Next beyond Colorado out west are the Vegas Golden Knights. Despite not making the postseason last season, they are still expected to contend again.

The New York Rangers are the most-favored team among those in this region. After a great run in the postseason, the Rangers will look to continue with that success and make it even further next season. Two of the big longshots of the group are the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils.

What Happened Last Season?

Colorado was the consensus favorite to win the 2022 Stanley Cup after a stellar regular season. They had the most points of any team in the Western Conference (119), but the Florida Panthers finished the highest with 122 points. Throughout the postseason, the Avalanche dominated.

In the first round and Western Conference Final, Colorado swept Nashville and Edmonton, respectively. There was more competition in the second-round series against St. Louis, but they won 4-2. Perhaps the most surprising result was the Avalanche not clinching things at home when up 3-1 against Tampa Bay in the Stanley Cup Final. However, they did close things out on the road in Game 6 to win the series, 4-2.

In comparison to Colorado’s dominance in the Western Conference, the Eastern Conference was very competitive. One club that had a little bit of a surprise run were the Rangers. They made it to the Eastern Conference Final and took the first two games of the series, but lost the following four games to Tampa Bay.

Easily one of the biggest busts in the 2022 postseason were the Florida Panthers. Many will point to Toronto failing to get past the first round again, but the Panthers finished with the best regular season and got swept by Tampa Bay. The team only scored 3 total goals in the series.

Where Can I Bet On The Stanley Cup In NY?

New Yorkers can place a bet on the Stanley Cup champion from their phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. Eight of the nine total mobile sportsbooks are now available and regulated by the New York State Gaming Commission. All of these sports betting apps feature various NHL bets, from hundreds of team and prop bets to various futures categories. Here’s a look at the eight platforms currently available:

As additional mobile sports betting platforms launch, be sure to stay abreast of which ones offer the best odds for the wager you’re looking to place. Odds may be largely the same for some teams, with wide variations between sportsbooks for other teams. Shopping around is beneficial, and you can compare odds across available NY sportsbooks above.

How To Place Mobile Sports Bets On the Stanley Cup In NY

If you’re new to mobile sports betting, the first thing you need to do is create an account on one of the platforms currently accepting wagers in New York. After you study the bonus offers and make a choice, it’s time to sign-up on a desktop browser or download the app.

With an iOS or Android mobile device, glance at our sportsbook reviews and grab the best offer available with our affiliate links. This will lead to signing up and downloading the app from the website or official mobile store.

Once downloaded, you’ll register by providing your full name, mailing address, email address, cell phone number, and your Social Security number. You’ll also set up answers to security questions. These steps help verify your identity and protect your account from unauthorized access.

How To Fund Your Account And Cash Out Your Winnings

Now that you’ve registered, you’ll be given the opportunity to fund your account, which can be accomplished in several ways. Among the options are tying your account to your credit or debit card; using online banking, an ACH eCheck, and a Play+ Prepaid Card; making a wire transfer; and taking a cash payment to a participating retail location.

When you want to cash out your winnings, you can do so via your online bank account, PayPal, VIP Preferred e-check, Play+ Prepaid Card, a wire transfer, or a check, which will sent via mail.

How Stanley Cup Futures Odds Are Calculated

The futures odds available now on the Stanley Cup champion are different than the odds that will be available on the specific games of the Stanley Cup Final this spring. Until the opponents are determined by the earlier playoff rounds, the only bet available now involves picking the champion out of the league’s 32 teams.

Futures odds are set upon the conclusion of the previous season. So shortly after the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Cup for the second straight year, oddsmakers were predicting who will win the Cup in June.

The odds constantly change throughout the offseason, whether it’s due to a team signing a key free agent, or word that a player injured this past season is expected to be fully healthy. The odds change even quicker during the season, with a team’s odds shrinking or growing based on their play and injury situation.

For the abbreviated 2021 season, the Colorado Avalanche was favored to win the Stanley Cup in the futures odds. However, a bet on Colorado was a losing bet, as the Avalanche didn’t even advance past the conference finals. The only winning bet was one placed on the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Stanley Cup Odds and Betting

There will be a plethora of betting options when the Stanley Cup Final rolls around. No matter the type of wager you’re looking to place, there will be a mobile sports betting platform to meet your needs.

All of the standard bets will be available, meaning you can place moneyline bets (where you pick the outright winner of the game), bets where you factor in the point spread when picking which team will win, and totals bets where you decide whether the total number of goals scored in the game goes ‘over’ or ‘under’ the total offered by oddsmakers.

While futures bets on the Stanley Cup champion can be placed nearly a year in advance of the start of the best-of-seven series, bets on individual games won’t be able to be placed until the teams have been determined. And, even then, you can only bet on one game at a time.

In addition to moneyline bets, point-spread bets, and totals bets, parlay bets will also be available. Parlay bets let you combine a number of individual bets, known as “legs,” into a larger bet. You must win each individual “leg” to win a parlay bet.

What Is A Stanley Cup Futures Bet?

The main futures bet available on the NHL is picking which team you think will win the Stanley Cup, but there are other options available. From a team perspective, you can also wager on which team will win the title in each of the four divisions, or bet on which teams you think will win the Eastern and Western Conference titles.

Individually, you can wager on the players you think will win league honors, such as who will be named the MVP, best defenseman, and best goalie.

What Is A Stanley Cup Prop Bet?

Prop bets allow you to be one a particular outcome with multiple choices available, such as in choosing which period the most goals will be scored. There are three choices for bets of that nature. You can also bet on Player Props for some games, where you can wager whether a player’s point total will be over or under a set total. There are also bets available on whether a goalie’s total number of saves will go over or under a set total.

Player props may include the number of hits players will make on opponents, or whether they will be over or under a certain number of penalty minutes.

On the team side, there are wagers available on the number of goals an individual team will score, with the choices going up by .5 goals. Among other possibilities include whether both teams score 1 (or 2, 3, etc.) or more goals in full-time, including OT and penalties. Such wagers involve wagering on “YES” or “NO.”

Other popular prop bets involving the two teams are the number of games to be played in the Stanley Cup Final and whether there will be a team sweep.

Strategies For Stanley Cup Betting In NY

The first thing you must determine is if you want to place a moneyline bet, a points-spread bet or a totals bet, or immerse yourself in prop bets or parlays. After that, the next step involves finding the mobile sports betting platform that offers the best odds for your particular wager.

Depending on your comfort level, you can keep your wagers simple, or try something more complex. Veteran bettors may favor picking alternate lines when they see an advantage that lies beneath the available standard odds.

If you are comfortable playing alternate lines, it’s possible to bet on both teams with different points spreads in each bet. One way to describe middling is to say that bettors can have their cake and eat it, too, if they win separate point spread bets on both teams by using alternate lines.

Betting Odds For The Stanley Cup FAQs

Is betting on the Stanley Cup legal in the US?

Yes. Sportsbooks in the US, whether mobile sports betting platforms or a retail sportsbook located in a casino or a venue like a horse racing track, offer wagering on the NHL, including the Stanley Cup. Futures odds on the champion are available year-round.

Where can I bet on the Stanley Cup online?

New York has multiple options available. There are eight mobile sports betting platforms available and each is offering futures bets on the NHL. DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, Caesars, and BetRivers are all current options in the Empire State online sports betting market.

How old do I need to be to bet on the Stanley Cup?

You must be 21 years old to bet in New York. That’s whether it’s via a mobile betting app or at one of the upstate casinos – each of which has its own sportsbook.

Is it safe to place a Stanley Cup bet online?

Yes, it’s safe. Mobile sports betting platforms in New York can’t launch until proving they have extensive security features in place to ensure a bettor’s private information isn’t stolen. And each platform has already been taking bets in other states and has a proven track record of legitimacy.

Do online sportsbooks offer live betting during the Stanley Cup?

Yes. Live betting during games is growing in popularity and is a great way to enhance your enjoyment of the games. The odds shift constantly throughout the game, providing ample opportunities to pick a winner even if your pre-game bet isn’t panning out.

What kind of prop bets are there for the Stanley Cup?

Prop bets are plentiful. You can bet on the total number of goals scored in the game, the exact score of the game, and the individual goal totals of both teams. There are props available on which team will score first and the number of goals scored each period.

Can I bet on events happening off the ice?

Unlike the Super Bowl, which is the biggest event of the year for mobile sports betting, the Stanley Cup doesn’t present many off-ice betting options. For example, there’s no coin toss before hockey games, and there’s little fanfare surrounding the singing of the American and Canadian national anthems.

Which team is currently favored to win the Stanley Cup?

The Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche won it all in 2022 and are early repeat favorites for the next title. Typical franchises are also listed at the top, including the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs.

When is the 2023 Stanley Cup Final?

The Stanley Cup Playoffs take place during the spring and into the summer each year. The start date for the 2023 Stanley Cup Final will be determined at some point toward the end of the conference finals. Generally, the league puts a final date for late the event can be held.

About the Author

Mark Ashenfelter

Mark Ashenfelter is a Connecticut-based sportswriter and editor who has covered everything from NASCAR to the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles. A life-long Philadelphia sports fan, in addition to Penn State football and the Baltimore Orioles, he's previously worked at ESPN, NASCAR Scene magazine, and the Daily Local News in Chester County, PA.

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