This is what we’ve been asking for. A level playing field where anything can happen down the stretch, and that’s exactly what we have in the NHL’s Western Conference playoff picture this year.
Thirteen teams are within striking distance our West, meaning the last two weeks of the season will be loaded with more twists and turns than an M. Night Shyamalan plot.
We’re not making excuses for the Vancouver Canucks or Chicago Blackhawks, but anything else is possible as we race toward the exciting conclusion of the 2025-26 NHL season.
Playoff Berths Clinched
April is just days away, and only two teams have secured their postseason berths.
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche have been one of the most dominant teams since the outset of the campaign. They faltered slightly after the Olympic hiatus, only to turn the tide with their latest efforts. Now riding a 4-1-1 streak, the Avs are riding a wave of momentum into the last two weeks of the season.
A virtual lock to win the Central Division, most of the value has been sucked out of Colorado’s futures. They sit as the chalky +300 frontunner to hoist Lord Stanley’s Mug, and have been taken off the board to win their division.
Clearly, the Avalanche’s dominance is reflected in their betting market. Still, there are more profitable gambling strategies than betting them outright in any market right now.
Dallas Stars
The other team to claim their playoff spot is the Dallas Stars. The second-place Central Division representatives likely won’t catch the Avs for top spot in the division, but the Stars are still tragically undervalued in th Stanley Cup futures market.
Despite being one of the most dominant teams in the league and only the second team to book a playoff ticket, the Stars are a distant +1100 to win the Cup.
Bettors may be dismissive of the Stars’ chances, but taking a stake in Dallas with the assumption that they face off against the Avs in the second round could be a profitable strategy.
The Rest of the Central Division Contenders
As inferred, that leaves five other teams vying for the third seed in the Central Division and the wild card spots.
The Minnesota Wild are tidally locked to the third seed, with no teams likely catching them for the divisional matchup. If they falter, the only team that could possibly catch them is the Utah Mammoth. But with 12 points difference, it’s more likely than not that Minnesota takes on Dallas in Round 1.
Utah is comfortably in the top wild card spot, but their five-point lead could be eroded with their conference-heavy schedule down the stretch.
From there, the Nashville Predators are currently occupying the second wild card spot, but they have just a one-point lead over some of the teams behind them. With those teams holding games in hand, it’s easy to see why they are +300 to make the postseason.
The Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues both have their work cut out for them; however, both could make some magic happen. The Jets are +850 and the Blues are +1100 to make the playoffs. Still, the Jets have two games in hands and are only three points back, meaning the spot is theirs for the taking if they want it.
Parity in the Pacific
Undoubtedly, the most wide-open division in the league is the Pacific. The Ducks, Oilers, and Golden Knights could claim the crown, but the remaining four teams have to make the climb in the wild card race.
Surprisingly, Anaheim (-460) is priced as the odds-on favorite to win the Pacific. Their three-point cushion is easily surmountable, making the Oilers a live dog (+450) to continue their assault on the division.
Sitting four points clear of the Los Angeles Kings, the Knights don’t have too much to sweat; however, they can’t afford to cede any ground. Las Vegas is hoping that a coaching change will spur improved results. Considering their elite metrics, the Golden Knights should see a late-season surge up the standings, prolonging their playoff continuity. We don’t think they can usurp two teams for the division lead, though.
Wild Card Contenders
The Kings and Seattle Kraken are the top contenders in the wild card race. LA is one point back with a game in hand, whereas the Kraken are two back with two games to play. From a betting perspective the Kings have the inside track, priced as +115 underdogs. We like the Kraken’s chances of upending the market and cashing as +320 underdogs.
Finally, we’re not ruling out the Flames or Sharks. Granted, the outlook is bleaker than the teams ahead of them in the standings, but both teams have shown plenty of fight toward the end of the campaign. Taking a stake in either team could position bettors for plenty of hedging opportunities to close out the campaign.
Final Thoughts
The Stanley Cup isn’t won or lost at the start of April, but the signs for winning teams are there. Keep a close eye on the action and stay up to date with all of the betting odds and our analysis!
New to sports betting? First, explore our Introduction to Sports Betting. Then check out our recommendations at Flip The Switch for online sportsbooks, along with offers to get started. And if you’re not an avid sports fan, you can still find some fun and unusual bets to enjoy!
