Yes, it may be just two months into the NHL season, but now is the perfect time to bet on Stanley Cup futures with the odds still holding lots of value across the league. The Vegas Golden Knights are the defending champions and have indeed kept it rolling so far in 2023-24, sitting atop the Pacific Division with a 19-5-5 record, one of the best records in the league. They also happen to have the best Cup odds at +750, followed by the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and New York Rangers, who all sit at +800, too. The Dallas Stars sit fourth with +1000 odds. Below, we’ll talk about some of the early contenders.
Before diving into the odds and preview, check out our top hockey betting sites and the Vegas odds for the NHL in the 2023-24 season.
| Team |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegas Golden Knights | +750 | +750 | +800 |
| Boston Bruins | +800 | +800 | +850 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +800 | +800 | +850 |
| New York Rangers | +800 | +850 | +800 |
| Dallas Stars | +1000 | +1000 | +1050 |
| LA Kings | +1100 | +1100 | +1100 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +1200 | +1200 | +1250 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Florida Panthers | +1750 | +1800 | +1850 |
The Golden Knights have basically returned their same roster from last season when they lifted the Cup, so it’s not a huge surprise to see them at the top here. Vegas is absolutely flourishing early on and looks to be the class of the Western Conference, at least for now. Bruce Cassidy’s squad is 6-1-3 in their last 10 games and rank 10th in goals scored (3.31) and second in fewest goals allowed (2.34). Jack Eichel leads the charge with 12 goals and 14 assists while William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault are also doing their part. From top to bottom, there are a lot of different guys who can produce on this roster and they have playoff experience. Another Cup run is certainly possible.
A lot of people believed the Bruins wouldn’t be the same team this season. Boy, were they wrong. Boston is a legitimate contender again and will be very hungry to avenge their shocking first round exit. They’re at the top of the Atlantic Division with a solid 18-5-3 record and have an impressive +22 goal difference. While the Bruins have hit a small cold spell as of late, overall, this is a very good hockey team with an electric offense and stout blue line. David Pastrnak is proving to be a superstar with 16 goals and 23 assists while Brad Marchand, who considered retirement, has 12 goals and 13 assists. Charlie Coyle is their third scorer in double digits.
The Avs are another team that didn’t live up to expectations in last year’s playoffs, losing in the opening round after winning the Stanley Cup the year prior. Colorado is back and better though, even without Gabriel Landeskog, who continues to recover from injury. With a core trio of Mikko Rantanen, Cale Makar, and Nathan Mackinnon, anything is possible. The three stars have propelled the Avalanche to a 16-9-2 record and the seventh-best offense in the NHL. Don’t sleep on Colorado.
The Rangers have been the talk of the NHL in 2023-24. We know New York sports teams always struggle to get it done when the lights shine brightest, but many believe this could be the Rangers’ year. By the looks of it, that could be true. Their 19-6-1 record is one of the best in the league and they have a seven-point cushion in first place in the Metropolitan Division. Artemi Panarin is lighting it up with 16 goals and 22 assists to lead the way. Chris Kreider also has 14 goals. The Rangers are legit and need to be taken seriously.
Dallas was in the Western Conference Finals for a reason. They’re a great hockey team and will likely be in the mix again. The Stars are 16-8-3 which is good enough for third in the Central Division behind the Avs and Winnipeg Jets. Although Dallas is only 4-4-2 in their last 10, they don’t play again until Friday. Veteran Joe Pavelski is their best player right now with 11 goals and 14 assists.
There’s several other teams to keep tabs on. The Maple Leafs have a fantastic core with the likes of Auston Matthews and William Nylander, but they will need to trade for a defenceman or two in order to make a deep playoff run. The Panthers are also playing great and were in the Cup last season. They’re one of the top teams in the NHL despite Matthew Tkachuk struggling. The Oilers, Kings, Hurricanes, and Devils are possibilities, too.
At this point, it’s best to put money down on a few teams. I’m liking the Golden Knights, Bruins, and Maple Leafs.
See below the top Las Vegas betting sites where you can wager online and choose the best one for you. Most of them also offer amazing casinos, like the BetOnline Casino. Check them out!
