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NHL Playoff Preview 2024: Eastern & Western Conference Finals Odds & Predictions
Written by: Devon Platana
Last Updated:
Read Time: 8 minutes
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This 2023-24 NHL playoff preview and Eastern/Western Conference Finals predictions are brought to you by BetOnline. BetOnline is a market leader in sports betting, offering various options from NHL postseason odds to the NBA and everything in between.
The 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are nearing the final stretch as only four clubs remain in the postseason. The Florida Panthers and New York Rangers are slated to duke it out in the Eastern Conference Finals while the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars will go to war in the Western bracket.
Once the dust settles, two teams will be left to compete for the right to hoist Lord Stanley’s hardware.
Comebacks ✅
Overtimes ✅#Game7s ✅These #StanleyCup Playoffs have had it all!
📺: The Conference Finals begin tomorrow at 8p ET on @espn, @ESPNPlus, @Sportsnet, and @TVASports — don’t miss a second of it pic.twitter.com/uUvVoXMGPP
— NHL (@NHL) May 21, 2024
As usual, this year’s conference finals boast a plethora of betting opportunities that NHL enthusiasts will live. While the variety of markets and odds can be overwhelming for some, Betting News is here to help you get the most out of your postseason experience.
Let’s check out the latest NHL Eastern and Western Conference Finals odds, as well as my predictions and best bets for both series.
NHL Eastern Conference Finals 2024 Preview
Panthers vs Rangers Series Schedule
- Game 1: @ Madison Square Garden — Wednesday, May 22 at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 2: @ Madison Square Garden — Friday, May 24 at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 3: @ Amerant Bank Arena — Sunday, May 26 at 3 p.m. ET (ABC)
- Game 4: @ Amerant Bank Arena — Tuesday, May 28 at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 5: @ Madison Square Garden — Thursday, May 30 at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Game 6: @ Amerant Bank Arena — Saturday, June 1 at 8 p.m. ET (ABC)
- Game 7: @ Madison Square Garden — Monday, June 3 at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Panthers vs Rangers NHL Series Odds
All Panthers vs. Rangers NHL Eastern Conference Finals odds are courtesy of BetOnline.
- Series odds: Panthers (-150) | Rangers (+130)
- Number of games: 4 (+575) | 5 (+265) | 6 (+190) | 7 (+195)
- Series total: 5.5 games — Over (-200) | Under (+160)
- Most likely scenario: Panthers 4-2 (+375)
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Panthers vs Rangers Eastern Conference Finals Predictions & Best Bet
Even though the Rangers have the home-ice advantage in this series, oddsmakers predict that the Panthers will return to the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in as many postseasons. Florida’s -150 odds to win this series carry an implied probability of 60.0%.
The Panthers had a strong start to the NHL playoffs, kicking things off by eliminating the rival Tampa Bay Lightning in just five games. While the Boston Bruins provided a tougher test in the second round, the Panthers prevailed again as they needed six games to send Brad Marchand & Co. home in what was a fireworks-filled matchup.
Several Florida players have stepped up in the playoffs, including Matthew Tkachuk, who leads his team in assists (10) and points (14). Of course, the Panthers couldn’t have made it here without goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. The Russian netminder has seven quality starts in 11 appearances and has played to a 2.37 goals-against average thus far.
Sergei Bobrovsky’s solid play is one reason why the Panthers are back in this year’s Eastern Conference Finals.
The Rangers, meanwhile, are back in the ECF for the second time in three years. After sweeping the Washington Capitals in Round 1, Peter Laviolette’s team eliminated the Carolina Hurricanes in six games despite nearly blowing a 3-1 series lead.
The Rangers’ best players have been stepping up throughout the playoffs as three of five of their players are performing at a point-per-game pace. It also helps that goaltender Igor Shesterkin has backstopped his way to a 2.40 GAA and .923 save percentage, meaning we could have a goaltending duel on our hands.
Florida had a slight advantage over New York during the regular season, winning two of the three meetings. Nevertheless, the Panthers are still 2-5 SU in their last seven matchups against the Rangers.
While this series could go either way, I’m taking the Rangers to win it all. The Panthers are good, don’t get me wrong, but we saw what happened when oddsmakers underestimated the Rangers against the Hurricanes. New York knows how to prove its doubters wrong.
With that in mind, you can’t go wrong with having plus-money on a team as good as the Rangers, so take them to win this series outright as the best bet.
Panthers vs. Rangers NHL Eastern Conference Finals Prediction: NYR
Best Panthers vs. Rangers NHL Eastern Conference Finals Bet: NYR ML (+130)
NHL Western Conference Finals 2024 Preview
Oilers vs Stars Series Schedule
- Game 1: @ American Airlines Center — Thursday, May 23 at 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
- Game 2: @ American Airlines Center — Saturday, May 25 at 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
- Game 3: @ Rogers Place — Monday, May 27 at 8 p.m. ET (TNT)
- Game 4: @ Rogers Place — Wednesday, May 29 at 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
- Game 5: @ American Airlines Center — Friday, May 31 at 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
- Game 6: @ Rogers Place — Sunday, June 2 at 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
- Game 7: @ American Airlines Center — Tuesday, June 4 at 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT)
Oilers vs Stars NHL Series Odds
All Oilers vs. Stars NHL Western Conference Finals odds are courtesy of BetOnline.
- Series odds: Oilers (+115) | Stars (-135)
- Number of games: 4 (+600) | 5 (+275) | 6 (+190) | 7 (+190)
- Series total: 5.5 games — Over (-190) | Under (+155)
- Most likely scenario: Stars 4-3 (+410)
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Oilers vs Stars Western Conference Finals Predictions & Best Bet
Unlike in the East, BetOnline is going with the higher seed to win the Western Conference Finals. The Stars enter this series with -135 odds to advance to the Stanley Cup Final, meaning there’s an implied probability of 57.5% that Dallas will be competing for its first championship in over two decades.
The Stars have been tested throughout the 2023-24 postseason, but their depth has helped them prevail. They first took down the Vegas Golden Knights in seven games before needing six games to send the Colorado Avalanche to an early offseason.
The fact that nine Stars players already have at least six points through two rounds helps to emphasize the team’s depth. Interestingly enough, defenseman Miro Heiskanen leads Dallas with 13 points while Wyatt Johnson paces everyone with seven goals — including two game-winners.
The Stars have too many talented players for most teams to handle.
The Oilers shouldn’t be underestimated, though. The final remaining Canadian NHL team has faced their fair share of highs and lows this string, easily breezing by the Los Angeles Kings in five games in the opening round before needing all seven matchups to eliminate the Vancouver Canucks in Round 2.
Unsurprisingly, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have been Edmonton’s best players, combing for 10 goals and 35 assists through two rounds. Defenseman Evan Bouchard has also exceeded expectations with 20 points while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman are both playing at a PPG pace, too.
The Stars won two of their three regular-season matchups against the Oilers, which recently includes a 5-0 win on home ice just last month. Following that success, Dallas is 8-4-2 in its last 14 meetings with Edmonton.
I could easily see this series going seven games, but regardless of how long it lasts, I see the Stars advancing. Again, Dallas’ depth is unrivaled and I’m unsure if Edmonton can handle four lines that can score. The Stars have also had the better goaltending throughout the playoffs, whereas the Oilers never know what they’re getting between the pipes.
With that in mind, let’s take a neutral approach by backing the series to reach seven games. The Stars have the better overall roster, the McDavid and Draisaitl are more than capable of stealing a few games to ensure that the series goes the distance.
Oilers vs. Stars NHL Western Conference Finals Prediction: DAL
Best Oilers vs. Stars NHL Western Conference Finals Bet: Series to Go 7 Games (+190)
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NHL Playoffs 2023-24 FAQ
When are the 2023-24 NHL Playoffs?
- The 2023-24 NHL playoffs are scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 20, and the Stanley Cup Final is expected to begin in the first week of June.
Where is the 2023-24 Stanley Cup Final?
- The location of the 2023-24 Stanley Cup Final will be determined once there is only one team remaining from each conference in the playoffs.
How can I watch the 2023-24 NHL Playoffs?
- Every game of the 2023-24 NHL postseason will be airing on ESPN, TNT, and ABC.
Where can I bet on the 2023-24 NHL Playoffs?
- Hockey bettors can wager on this year’s NHL playoffs and Stanley Cup betting odds on the majority of online sportsbooks, including the following that Betting News highly recommends:
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Devon is a Master of Journalism graduate who joined the sports betting world in 2020. His favorite leagues to cover are the NHL, NBA and NFL, and has a soft spot for fantasy football specifically. Outside of sports, he enjoys the finer things in life like pasta, live music and getting even more tattoos.
This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.
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