Stanley Cup Odds

A pair of Eastern Conference teams lead the way on the odds to win the Stanley Cup heading into the second round of the NHL playoffs – but they’ll face each other starting on Thursday.

Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals are the +350 favorites on the updated odds to win the Stanley Cup, with Sidney Crosby and the Penguins the slight second favorites at +425 odds.

Washington got past the upstart Toronto Maple Leafs in six games in their first-round series, clinching the set with a 2-1 overtime victory in Game 6 on Sunday night. Marcus Johansson had both goals for the Capitals in that contest, while Braden Holtby made 37 saves on the night. The Caps won the Presidents’ Trophy with a league-best 118 points during the season.

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, finished second in the league with 111 points during the season, but as a fellow Metropolitan Division team will face off against Washington in the second round. The Penguins made short work of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round of the playoffs, winning that series in five games behind an 11-point effort from star Evgeni Malkin.

Western Clubs in Middle of the Futures List

The Anaheim Ducks and the Edmonton Oilers will square off in a Pacific Division matchup in the second round of the playoffs starting on Wednesday night, and they’re both listed at +550 odds to win the Stanley Cup this spring – putting them in a tie for third place on those futures.

Anaheim had little trouble with another Alberta team in the first round of the playoffs, sweeping the Calgary Flames in four games. Edmonton, meanwhile, has already faced off against a California team this postseason, knocking out the San Jose Sharks in six games.

The other two remaining Western Conference clubs then follow along on the updated odds to win the Stanley Cup, with the St. Louis Blues at +650 and the Nashville Predators at +700. St. Louis pulled off a minor upset in the first round of the playoffs, getting past the Minnesota Wild in five games to advance to the second round. Nashville, on the other hand, pulled off a major upset in the first round, sweeping the Chicago Blackhawks – the former Stanley Cup favorite.

Rangers, Senators Longest Shots on Odds

Rounding out the odds to win the Stanley Cup are then the other two Eastern Conference teams, with the New York Rangers listed at +800 and the Ottawa Senators back at +1000.

The Rangers got into the postseason as a wild card team, crossing over into the Atlantic Division quarter of the playoff bracket and knocking out the top-seeded Montreal Canadiens in six games. The Senators opened their first-round set against the Boston Bruins as small series underdogs, but pulled out a six-game victory with a 3-2 overtime win Sunday afternoon.