Stanley Cup Playoffs 2022: Futures, Odds, and Series Winner Predictions

The 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway and off to an insane start. Triple overtime, fights, upsets and blowouts galore, these are all things to be taken into consideration when betting on the Stanley Cup.

There are multiple approaches to take when betting on the Stanley Cup. Bettors can look at the big picture with futures odds of which team will win the whole thing, or take it game by game with moneylines, puck lines, game totals and player props. Bettors can see where each team stands after the start of this first round on our Stanley Cup odds page.

Here are series winner odds from DraftKings and my predictions for the first round.

Stanley Cup Playoffs 2022 Predictions

Florida Panthers (-350) vs Washington Capitals (+270)

Despite going down 0-1 to start the series, the Florida Panthers were able to rebound against the Washington Capitals with a Game 2 victory. The Presidents Trophy winners have dominated all season long, posting only 15 games with two goals or fewer. History is not in the Panthers’ favor, but their skill and ability to force a comeback are why I predict they will take the series.

Colorado Avalanche (-5000) vs Nashville Predators (+2200)

In my mind, this series was over before it even began. Colorado is on a mission and will stop at nothing to hoist the Stanley Cup, and they are off to a strong start with a commanding 2-0 series lead over Nashville. The Avs have been favorites to win the Cup for the past three consecutive postseasons, and this year they are urgent to find a way to get it done. But first, they need to make it out of round 1, which they will.

Tampa Bay Lightning (-115) vs Toronto Maple Leafs (-115)

The Toronto Maple Leafs are here to erase the narrative that they can’t make it out of the first round. They took a major step towards erasing that narrative with a 5-0 statement win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in game one. But the excitement was short-lived as the two-time reigning Stanley Cup champions responded with a 5-3 victory of their own in game two. The champs aren’t just going to roll over. To me, there is no question that this series will go to 7 games, which is why the series is tightly priced, and Toronto will finally break through the first round, sending the reigning champions home. 

St Louis Blues (-110) vs Minnesota Wild (-110)

The St Louis Blues showed they meant business when they entered the Xcel Energy Center and shut down the third-highest scoring home team in the NHL this season in game 1. But the Wild wasted no time flipping the script evening out the series with a 6-2 win just two nights later. Minnesota improved the power play and penalty kill, cleaning up the issues from game 1. Their ability to learn from their mistakes and make necessary adjustments have me leaning toward the Wild for this series, however, it will be close and I can see it going to 7. 

Pittsburgh Penguins (+125) vs New York Rangers (-145)

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has admitted that this may be the last time the core of his team makes a cup run. 2016 and 2017 cup winners Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Bryan Rust are among the team’s unrestricted free agents this summer. That alone is enough to drive the veterans and force a deep cup run but they have to get past the New York Rangers first. The game 1 win did not come easy for Pittsburgh considering it went to three overtimes before a winner was declared. The Rangers were able to bounce back with a big win in Game 2. Igor Shesterkin in net paired with a lethal power play has me taking the New York Rangers in this series. 

Carolina Hurricanes (-450) vs Boston Bruins (+340)

The Carolina Hurricanes have made absolute fools of the Boston Bruins through the first two games taking a 2-0 series lead and outscoring Boston 10-3. Both sides suffered key losses in game two as Hurricanes’ goalie Antti Raanta and Bruins’ defender Hampus Lindholm left the game with injuries. Without their key defenseman heading into game 3, one can expect that things are only going to get uglier for the Bruins which is why I’m taking heavy favorite and strong cup contender Carolina.  

Calgary Flames (-280) vs Dallas Stars (+220)

As one of the favorites in the West, it didn’t come as a surprise that the Calgary Flames took game one against the Dallas Stars. Flames coach Darryl Sutter’s defense prevailed, holding the Stars top line without a high danger shot attempt and a minus-4 shots-on-goal deficit at 5-on-5. However the Stars were able to steal a Game 2 win in Calgary. The series now shifts to Dallas, but I still expect Calgary to roll the rest of the series.