BSNblog

The elimination of the St. Louis Blues by the Los Angeles Kings in only four games came as a shock to everyone in the NHL except the Los Angeles Kings. The online sportsbook experts had created all of these dream scenarios when the playoffs started that had the New York Rangers battling the St. Louis Blues for the Cup, or a rematch between the defending champion Boston Bruins and the Vancouver Canucks. But as the playoffs roll along, all of the dream scenarios are out and the sports betting online crowd is left wondering who really has a shot at winning the Stanley Cup this season. 

New York Rangers (Stanley Cup Odds: 7 to 2)

The Rangers were supposed to be the powerhouse coming out of the Eastern Conference that was going to dominate every team it faced in the playoffs. After taking seven games to beat the Ottawa Senators in the first round and continuously allowing the Washington Capitals to get back into its second round series, the Rangers do not look so strong anymore. The price per head bookie experts know that force of will can only take a team so far in the playoffs. At some point, the Rangers are going to have to play like a Cup contender if it wants to be a Cup contender.

Philadelphia Flyers (Stanley Cup Odds: 7 to 2)

The Flyers lost its hope of winning a Stanley Cup when it allowed Jeff Carter and Mike Richards to get away. Ironically enough, Carter and Richards wound up on the Los Angeles Kings who is now the Western Conference favorites. Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov is having a good playoffs for the Flyers, but he is about the only player that is enjoying any kind of success. Don't look for Philly to be there when the Cup is handed out.

Los Angeles Kings (Stanley Cup Odds: 5 to 1)

A sportsbooks review of past Stanley Cup champions shows that it is hard to beat a combination of good play and strong momentum. The Kings have the best goalie in the playoffs in Jonathan Quick and are getting ready to ride Quick all the way to a Cup championship for the first time in franchise history.

Phoenix Coyotes (Stanley Cup Odds: 5 to 1)

A Western Conference finals between the Phoenix Coyotes and Los Angeles Kings would be a great thing to watch. Even though the Coyotes finished ahead of the Kings in the NHL standings, Los Angeles holds the upper-hand over Phoenix because of the success Los Angeles is having putting offensive pressure on opposing teams. If the Coyotes can keep the team together, then this could be a successful team for a very long time. But this is not the year for Phoenix.

Nashville Predators (Stanley Cup Odds: 10 to 1)

The Preds ran out of gas early in its series with the Coyotes. During the offseason, look for Nashville to get bigger on offense and make a real run at the Cup next year.

New Jersey Devils (Stanley Cup Odds: 10 to 1)

The Devils are the "feel good" story of this NHL season and the story just keeps adding chapters. New Jersey is a solid hockey team, but it is not able to sustain the pace of play that teams like Los Angeles and Phoenix can. New Jersey may make it to the conference finals, but that will be as far as that team goes.

Washington Capitals (Stanley Cup Odds: 15 to 1)

The Capitals have been the surprise of the playoffs so far, but the surprise will come to an end before the Stanley Cup finals come around.

BSNblog Free Prediction: Los Angeles Kings