We have seen multiple different sports returning so far including the Premier League, NBA and now finally the NHL is getting ready to get back onto the ice. The Stanley Cup is going to be officially getting underway on the 11th of August. The NHL have changed up how the playoffs will work slightly. Basically, the top four teams from both conferences will play each other once in order to determine seeding for the playoffs. The other eight teams in each conference will play qualifiers to try and make it to the playoffs.
Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and Rogers Place in Edmonton will be hosting the first two playoff rounds. While Rogers Place will be hosting the conference and Stanley Cup Finals. The season is scheduled to finish by October 4th as long as everyone can stay healthy within the NHL’s bubble.
NHL Playoff Prediction
We left off the NHL with the Boston Bruins at the top of the Eastern Conference with a solid win percentage of .714. The St Louis Blues are leading the Western Conference just about with a .662-win percentage. Followed closely by Colorado Avalanche who have played one less game than St Louis. The Vegas Golden Knights are also sitting in third place in the Western Conference with a win percentage of .606.
After the long break that form, and standings of the teams does not make as much of a difference as earlier. Teams will have the majority of their roster back. It is going to be back to back for the rest of the season. There will be no grace period available for teams to gel and some teams may miss out on their opportunity for a Stanley Cup if they do not hit the ground running.
Even though the Bruins and Blues are leading the Eastern and Western Conferences they are not the Stanley Cup favorites. The Bruins are (+800) to become NHL champions while the Blues are (+1100). Both teams in the second-place spots in either conference are preferred by the sportsbooks. Tampa Bay Lightning are second in the Eastern Conference and are (+700) to win the Stanley Cup. While the Colorado Avalanche are (+600).
The Stanley Cup odds have shifted quite a bit due to the break in the season. The Vegas Golden Knights were having a decent season before the stop in games. Winning 39 games from 71 is not far from the number one position in the division. The strength of their squad has managed to make them the favorites for the Stanley Cup. They are (+550) to win the Stanley Cup here at CanPlay.
The Philadelphia Flyers are currently sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference division after a decent season so far. The strength in the Flyers squad should have seen them higher up in the Western Conference. However, now at full strength it is hard to see any team beat them to win the Western Conference. The Flyers are second favorites for the Stanley Cup and are (+600) to come away as champions.
Conclusion
It is looking like it will be a Flyers and Golden Knights final. Both sides are the strongest teams in their division and while there is no definite winners both these teams are capable to beat anybody in the division. Philadelphia at full strength will certainly put it up to the Golden Knights. If it comes down to a Philadelphia and Vegas final the Flyers will come out on top. Get them to win the Stanley Cup here at CanPlay.
