The 2022 NHL Playoffs were memorable as fans saw the Colorado Avalanche win their first Stanley Cup in over 20 years when they knocked off the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning. Colorado went on a dominant playoff run and are the deserving favorites to repeat. Plenty of teams have Stanley Cup aspirations, but only one will be lifting Lord Stanley’s Cup come Summer 2023.
Stanley Cup Betting Odds
| Team |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COL | +400 | +500 | +450 | +450 | +450 |
| TOR | +800 | +1200 | +1300 | +1200 | +1000 |
| FLA | +900 | +1400 | +1700 | +1500 | +1200 |
| CAR | +1000 | +900 | +1200 | +1100 | +1000 |
| TB | +1200 | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 | +1200 |
| EDM | +1400 | +1600 | +2000 | +2000 | +1500 |
| CGY | +1800 | +1400 | +1800 | +1400 | +1000 |
| MIN | +1800 | +2500 | +3500 | +3000 | +2000 |
| NYR | +1800 | +1800 | +2500 | +2000 | +1400 |
| PIT | +1800 | +2200 | +2500 | +2500 | +1300 |
| VEG | +1800 | +900 | +750 | +900 | +1700 |
| NYI | +2500 | +5000 | +3000 | +4500 | +5000 |
| BOS | +2800 | +700 | +650 | +600 | +1400 |
| STL | +3000 | +5000 | +4000 | +6000 | +3000 |
| LA | +3500 | +3000 | +2800 | +3500 | +3500 |
| NAS | +4000 | +5000 | +7500 | +8000 | +4000 |
| WAS | +4000 | +6600 | +7500 | +7000 | +4500 |
| DAL | +5000 | +2500 | +1800 | +1800 | +3300 |
| DET | +5000 | +10000 | +10000 | +12000 | +6000 |
| NJ | +5000 | +1400 | +1100 | +1100 | +4500 |
Top Three Stanley Cup Contenders
Colorado are healthy favorites to be the second consecutive team to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions. The Avs are going to lose some pieces but do return most of their core that got them the Cup in 2022.
Toronto, who is talented but did lose in the first-round last season, is the second favorite next season. This number is low because sportsbooks are going to get a lot of action on one of the more followed teams in the NHL. The Maple Leafs have all the talent in the world, but it remains to be seen if they can get it done in the postseason.
Florida is right there with Toronto in the odds, and, like Toronto, it remains to be seen if this team can get it done in the playoffs. The Panthers were swept out of the playoffs last season, so their fans are hoping they rebound like their Florida neighbors and win the Cup the year after an embarrassing exit.
Best of the Rest
The next group is four teams who would not be a surprise Stanley Cup winner. Tampa Bay and Carolina are the fourth and fifth favorites to win the championship. It would be a surprise if the Lightning have the legs to go on a fourth consecutive run next season, but they still have the talent to do so. Carolina is one team that I really like as they will be in every game with that defense. The Hurricanes got to the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season and will hope to get two steps further in 2023.
Out West, the next two favorites are the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights. Edmonton is the team I think is going to win the Stanley Cup as they have too much talent to keep stalling out like this. If they can get the performance needed in net, they will not be outscored. Vegas had a disappointing 2022 but should rebound and be right up there with the top teams in the Western Conference.
