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2021-22 NHL Futures Specials Best Bets

Best bets for the NHL playoffs

· Apr 02 - 4 minutes read

BetUS sportsbook has rolled out a slew of futures markets for the fast-approaching NHL playoffs. If you’re a diehard NHL fan, you’ll want to get in on the action.

In this column, we preview these “NHL FuturesSpecials” currently trading with BetUS, examine the NHL odds, and serve up some discerning thoughts and early predictions.

NHL Futures Specials

Stanley Cup – Winning Conference

East -120
West -110

The fact that the Eastern Conference is slightly favored over the Western Conference in this market is a little bit surprising. The Colorado Avalanche lead the league with 102 points on the back of a 48-14-6 record, and they have a four-point edge over the Eastern Conference tandem of Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes.

Then there is the current outlook for Stanley Cup outrights that is available at the sportsbook exchange to consider, where the Avalanche are tipped as the team to beat at +440.

The @Avalanche are the first team to 100 points in the NHL this season.

Colorado's first season with 100+ points since 2013-14 💯 pic.twitter.com/ilc0WLXnpd

— ESPN (@espn) March 30, 2022

Whether the Colorado Avalanche delivers on their favorable odds remains to be seen. Truth is though they face stiff opposition from several Eastern teams, including the Panthers and Hurricanes. There’s the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are seeking a third-straight title. One can’t overlook their experience and championship credentials. Elsewhere, the Pittsburgh Penguins loom as dangerous floaters along with the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals.

All told, the Eastern Conference feels loaded with legitimate contenders while the Western Conference is much lighter. Aside from the Avalanche, only the Calgary Flames and, maybe, the Minnesota Wild recently, are playing with the kind of intensity that has them standing out in the crowd.

Pick: Eastern Conference -120

Stanley Cup – Winning Division

Atlantic +175
Central +250
Pacific +350
Metropolitan +375

Once again, this market stands in stark contrast to the current landscape in the league. The Colorado Avalanche are in pole position to win the President’s Trophy and are currently priced as the top bet to win the Stanley Cup at +400 as well. And yet, the Central Division is tipped at +240 to deliver this year’s champions.

The Florida Panthers, leaders of the Atlantic Division, are priced at +550 to win the Stanley Cup outright. While the Tampa Bay Lightning are third in the Atlantic Division, eight points behind the Panthers in the standings, but priced as the third best bet to win the Stanley Cup at +900. On the strength of their combined credentials, bookmakers are hedging bets towards the Atlantic Division as such.

Pick: Central Division +250

Tampa Bay Lighting are back to back Stanley Cup Champions pic.twitter.com/8tbxvDDjMk

— Mismatch (@MismatchSports) July 8, 2021

Eastern Conference – Winning Division

Metropolitan Division +145
Atlantic Division -190

This market is an extension of the aforementioned markets. Predictably, the Atlantic Division is favored to serve up the Eastern Conference winner with betting online odds of -190. These odds are underscored by the favoritism reserved for the tandem of the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.

That said, the Metropolitan Division could shake things up. The Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, and Pittsburgh Penguins are all in fine form, raising their level of play just in time for the playoffs. It really wouldn’t be surprising if either one of these triplets were to mastermind an upset or two along the way.

Pick: Atlantic Division -190

Western Conference – Winning Division

Pacific Division +160
Central Division -200

The Western Conference is cornered with the Central Division quite rightly. The Colorado Avalanche are the best team in the West. That said, the Avalanche were in a similar position last season only to stumble in the first round of the playoffs.

The Pacific Division is the underdogs in this section, although the Calgary Flames are playing some of their best hockey right now. The Flames are tied with the Tampa Bay Lighting as the +900 bet to win the Stanley Cup this season.

Elsewhere,, the Los Angeles Kings tip the balance in favor of the Pacific Division while the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues tip it toward the Central Division. All these strike an intriguing pose as contenders to win the Western Conference.