Hurricanes Given 7-1 Odds to Win Stanley Cup After Knocking Off Defending Champs

• The Carolina Hurricanes became the eighth and final team to qualify for the Second-Round of the 2019 NHL Playoffs
• The St. Louis Blues are listed as one of the favorites because of Goaltender Jordan Binnington and their depth
• None of the four division winners remain in the playoffs after Round 1 for the first time in NHL history
  

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The first-round of the 2019 NHL Playoffs were full of shocking upsets. While the Columbus Blue Jackets sweeping the Tampa Bay Lightning was clearly the biggest, the Carolina Hurricanes eliminating the defending Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals was huge as well.

2019 Stanley Cup Odds

*Odds taken 04/25/19

If you use our Stanley Cup Odds Tracker you’ll notice these numbers are constantly moving targets. Carolina specifically has taken a big jump and is now listed at +700 to win the Stanley Cup. That number makes them an absolute afterthought to me. Despite a matchup in Round 2 with the New York Islanders that they could win, they aren’t a true threat to go all the way and definitely don’t provide value at that number.

Bend the knee https://t.co/0Iq7Mtvz7B

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) April 25, 2019

After crossing off the Hurricanes and the other pretenders, there is one team that stands out above all the others as the clear value pick on the board.

St. Louis Blues in Prime Position

After disposing of the Winnipeg Jets and having other contenders cleared out of their path, the St. Louis Blues are the team I love going forward in the playoffs. Despite sitting in the basement of the league once the calendar turned to 2019, the Blues rallied and finished one point back of Nashville for top spot in the Central Division. They continued their run by ousting the Jets and there’s no evidence they are set to slow down.

The time is now. #WeAllBleedBlue pic.twitter.com/1saFIvwodG

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) April 25, 2019

Two key factors in particular make the Blues a great bet. They have depth all through their lineup that caused Winnipeg major problems in their series. 13 different players had multiple points in the series including 5 different defensemen. This isn’t a team that has a line that you can take a break against, they come in waves and don’t stop.

We have game times!!! #stlblues #WeAllBleedBlue pic.twitter.com/rti7cnHucr

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) April 25, 2019

The other reason? Jordan Binnington. St. Louis has long been a goalie shy of being a true contender and they finally seem to have an answer between the pipes. He had a 2.63 Goals Against and .908 Save percentage in Round 1. Those numbers may not be eye-popping, but they are more than good enough to help this team continue to have success.

Jordan Binnington had a 2.63 Goals Against and .908 Save percentage in Round 1.

All four division winners have been eliminated before the second-round for the first time in NHL history and the path couldn’t be easier for St. Louis. They have home ice advantage against the Stars in Round 2 and are a team you should definitely consider picking to win the Cup especially when you consider the value in betting them at +550.

Pick: St. Louis Blues (+550)