Stars Given 8-1 Odds to Win Stanley Cup After Eliminating Predators

• The Dallas Stars eliminated the Nashville Predators with their overtime win in Game 6
• Game 7s in Maple Leafs vs Bruins and Golden Knights vs Sharks will take pace tonight
• The winners of those two games will likely become the Stanley Cup favorites
  

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The Dallas Stars joined the Columbus Blue Jackets and Colorado Avalanche as unlikely teams to advance to the 2nd round on Monday night.  Dallas beat the Nashville Predators in overtime (2-1) and have officially advanced, which got the attention of sportsbooks.

2019 NHL Stanley Cup Odds

*odds taken 4/23

The Stanley Cups odds have shifted drastically with all the upsets and the Stars have been bumped to +800 after their win

For my money, that’s too rich of a price for a team that would likely be underdogs in every series they’ll play in the playoffs. That said, there is value available elsewhere on the board and it sits in the teams that have yet to advance.

The Bruins, Leafs, Sharks, and Golden Knights are possibly the four best teams left in the postseason, but all four face a Game 7.  If you pick the correct winners, you’ll be getting a favorite at an incredible discount.

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS.

Who's winning in #Game7? 🤔 #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/9K38UlWvE6

— NHL (@NHL) April 23, 2019

Here are my two picks in those games and, in turn, the teams I would focus on in the Stanley Cup futures.

Can The Sharks Complete The Comeback?

Vegas held a 3-1 series lead and seemed destined to reach the 2nd round yet again.  Since then, Martin Jones has caught fire and the Sharks have evened the series.

The issue is that Vegas outshot San Jose 59-29 in the last game but came out on the losing end.  Those aren’t the type of performances goalies can often string together, especially the 2018-19 version of Martin Jones.

Despite being on the road, Vegas has a great opportunity to win and advance if they keep up that energy.

🎥 Gallant on Game 7's: They're fun games to be involved in. They're pressure games. It's winner take all. pic.twitter.com/rA0ZImCFxF

— x-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) April 22, 2019

It’s the first Game 7 in franchise history and I expect the Golden Knights to be ready.  They added three key pieces since last year’s Stanley Cup run in Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty, and Paul Stastny, and they should be enough to push Vegas over the edge.

The odds on a Vegas Stanley Cup win will jump drastically from +1000 if they close out the series. Bet it now to get the best value.

Will Trends Continue In Leafs & Bruins Series?

There are two trends in particular that have me leaning towards the Maple Leafs in this series.

First: no team has won two games in a row, and Boston took Game 6 in Toronto.

Second: road teams are 4-2 in the series.

Usually the home team has an advantage with last change and sometimes a slight edge from the referees, but that hasn’t been the case in this series.

Morning work. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/5veI0QFdUy

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) April 23, 2019

The Leafs lost Game 7 in Boston last year, just like they did back in 2013, but I expect a different result tonight.

John Tavares and Jake Muzzin have been added to last year’s team, and Auston Matthews looks like a totally different player, having scored five goals in the last four games.  Frederik Andersen also gives the Maple Leafs a slight edge between the pipes and that could come in handy if Toronto is trying to hold a lead late.

Much like Vegas, the +950 number you can get today won’t be available tomorrow if Toronto advances. There’s a clear opportunity if you have faith they’ll advance.