NHL Conference Finals Preview: Betting Odds, Insights & Predictions

We are down to the final four teams left in this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs, meaning the Conference Final matchups are set. All four of these teams took down their division’s one seed in the semifinals, in order to stamp their ticket to the next round.

Now they all sit just one series away from having a shot at the Stanley Cup. Let’s take a peek into this year’s NHL Conference Finals matchups.

Check out all of the latest postseason odds available at the best online sportsbooks.

Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Finals

Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes

The Florida Panthers find themselves in the Eastern Conference Finals for the third straight year. They’ve advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals the past two years, losing to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023, while beating the Edmonton Oilers last year in seven games. The Panthers are looking to be the first team to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions since the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021. However, their opponent is very well rested and ready to roll.

The Carolina Hurricanes are back the NHL Conference Finals for the first time since 2023 when they were swept by the Florida Panthers. They’ve made it out of the first round of the playoffs in five straight seasons, but have yet to get over the hump and compete for the Stanley Cup. In fact, the Canes have not been to the Stanley Cup Finals since they won the whole thing back in 2006. Will things change this year?

Panthers vs. Hurricanes Regular Season Series

These two teams played three times this season, with the winner covering the puck line in each contest. They played on back-to-back nights to end November, competing in Raleigh on Nov. 29 then heading to Sunrise the next night. The Panthers won both of these contests, successfully taking down their hosts 6-3 the first night, and then shutting them out at home, 6-0 the next. Florida outshot Carolina by 15 in the second matchup.

Then in early January the two teams met again in Sunrise, and this time, the visitors got their revenge. Carolina outshot the Panthers 40-26 on their way to a 3-1 victory on the road. Sergei Bobrovsky saved 95% of shots faced, but did not get any offensive support from his team. It was all tied up at one after the second period, but then the Canes netted two in the third to seal the win.

Panthers vs. Hurricanes Series Betting Odds

• Florida Panthers -135
• Carolina Hurricanes +115

Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals

Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars host the Oilers to begin the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday. This is actually a rematch of last season’s WCF, where the Oilers took down the Stars in just six games. This is Dallas’ third straight year in the conference finals, but they have not moved on. In 2023 they lost to the Golden Knights, who went on to win the whole thing. Dallas has not been to the Stanley Cup Finals since 2020 where they lost to the Lightning, and they haven’t lifted it since 1999. Is this the year Texas Hockey brings the Cup home?

The Oilers find themselves in their second straight NHL Conference Finals, beating Dallas last year. Can they do so again? Edmonton lost in seven games to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Finals last season, and they certainly have the firepower to get back to that series. Prior to last season, the Oilers had not seen the SCF since losing to the Hurricanes in 2006, so if they make the Finals, the organization will have a shot at revenge against either team. Edmonton has not lifted the Cup since 1990, but Connor McDavid and company are hungry to do so this season.

Oilers vs. Stars Regular Season Series

These teams squared off three times this season, alternating wins each time. The Stars hosted Edmonton back in October, beating them 4-1 on their home ice. The Oilers got their revenge at home in the next meeting in early March, taking down Dallas 5-4 in a nine goal thriller. Edmonton hosted the Stars again later that month, but the visitors came out on top.

Dallas led 1-0 after the first and extended that lead to 4-0 heading into the third. The Oilers did not give up and battled in the final period, netting three goals of their own, but it was too little, too late. The Stars won the contest 4-3. Now these teams battle it out in a seven game series, with a shot at the Stanley Cup on the line.

Oilers vs. Stars Series Betting Odds

• Edmonton Oilers -122
• Dallas Stars +102

Stanley Cup Champion Odds

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• Edmonton Oilers +230
• Florida Panthers +250
• Dallas Stars +275
• Carolina Hurricanes +330

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