The Western Conference is an absolute gauntlet in the NHL, featuring a number of the league’s most talented teams. But over the past two seasons, only one team has emerged from this conference to arrive in the Stanley Cup: the Edmonton Oilers.
This year, they are once again one of the primary contenders to make the Stanley Cup, with odds of +450 on most betting sites, which means they are one of the projected favourites. But what of the other squads, who will look to put a stop to the two-year run of dominance the Oilers have had? Below, we’ll look at the six teams in the Western Conference with the highest odds of replacing the Oilers in the Stanley Cup.
Colorado Avalanche (+350)
The Colorado Avalanche are a team that has also made it to the mountain-top of the league. This is a highly talented roster with Stanley Cup experience. They are led by two of the premier players in the league, with Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar demanding attention. Like the Oilers, they have some questions with goaltending, and this has played a key role in them falling short in several of the past postseasons. Still, it isn’t hard to see why the odds for the Avalanche are so high on the old and new sportsbooks in Canada. This is a team with the offensive punch to get things done in the postseason.
Vegas Golden Knights (+400)
The Vegas Golden Knights entered the season as one of the clear contenders for a Stanley Cup. It isn’t hard to see why. They have a hugely talented roster that has already won the greatest prize in the league, with players like Jack Eichel, Shea Theodore, and Mark Stone. To that already incredible group, the Knights added Mitch Marner, a 100-point player. It is certainly a potent combination. While they are missing Alex Pietrangelo, there is a chance the defenceman returns for the playoffs. The Golden Knights have also gotten off to a strong start to the season, and it is no wonder most betting sites have them listed as a likely conference representative in the Stanley Cup.
Dallas Stars (+500)
The Dallas Stars are listed behind the Oilers on most sportsbooks, with lower odds of making a Cup appearance. The Stars have not been dominant to start the season, hitting an early-season skid. They have also fallen short in the playoffs many times over the past several years. But many would posit that this is the most talented team in the NHL. They have high-quality superstars up and down the roster. On offence, Mikko Rantanen, Wyatt Johnston, and Jason Robertson are point-per-game players. On defence, Thomas Harley and Miro Heiskanen are young leaders. Goaltender Jake Oettinger is one of the league’s best. This team just needs to perform when the lights are brightest.
Winnipeg Jets (+1000)
The Jets are another team that has seen the wheels fall off in some of their biggest games. After surging to the top of the conference last year, the Jets were unceremoniously eliminated in the second round. The same talent from last year is back in place, and the Jets are off to a strong start. They have the league’s best goalie in Connor Hellebuyck and plenty of dynamic scorers, including Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele. But the biggest reason their odds are so low on betting sites is that this team still needs to prove their postseason mettle.
Los Angeles Kings (+1400)
The Los Angeles Kings are a familiar postseason foe for the Oilers, and that is a matchup that has gone well for Edmonton in recent years. The teams have met in the first round of the past four years in a row, with the Oilers winning each time. The Kings will look to flip the script and show that this season is different. Captain Anze Kopitar’s final season in Los Angeles should have another playoff appearance in store. Players like Adrian Kempe and Quentin Byfield guarantee a solid stable of talent. But the Kings will need to show they can go against the best the conference offers.
Utah Mammoth (+1600)
Some might be surprised to see the Mammoth with such high odds. But in the early going, this young roster (and franchise) is showing the Western Conference they are for real. In their first season as the Mammoth, this hockey team is showing that their outstanding young players, like Dylan Guenther, Clayton Keller, and Logan Cooley, are ready to contend right now. They have several forwards who perform at a point-per-game level, and a defence that has held up its end of the bargain. The playoffs seem likely, but they’ll need to show they can compete under the bright lights to justify their high odds.
