2024-2025 NHL Western Conference Odds: Can Oilers Return to Stanley Cup Final?

• Western Conference Position in 2023-24: Champions
• Key Players: C Connor McDavid, C Leon Draisaitl, D Evan Bouchard, G Stuart Skinner
• Total Western Conference Championships: 8
• Head Coach: Kris Knoblauch

The Oilers came up agonizingly short in last year’s final. They fought back from an 0-3 hole against Florida, only to lose 2-1 in Game 7 on visiting ice. The Oilers are still led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who combined for 238 points on the season. But they got some help as defenseman Evan Bouchard broke out with 82 points.  Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins both had good seasons as well.

They also got improved goaltending, but Stuart Skinner did look shaky in the finals, and a lot will depend on him this season. The Oilers also lost Cody Ceci, Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. Evander Kane might not play this season due to surgery on multiple injuries.

But the Oilers still have enough to come out on top in the West. Even if they don’t finish top of the standings, Edmonton is a good NHL betting option to make it through the playoffs.

• Western Conference Position in 2023-24: 2^nd (lost to Edmonton in Conference Final)
• Key Players: LW Jason Robertson, C Roope Hintz, RW Wyatt Johnston, G Jake Oettinger
• Total Western Conference Championships: 4
• Head Coach: Peter DeBoer

The Stars are coming off two straight losses in the Western Conference finals, falling to Vegas and Edmonton in six games in consecutive seasons. Will the third time be the charm for the unlucky Stars?

Dallas doesn’t have explosive scorers in the mold of McDavid, but Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Wyatt Johnston lead the way by committee. Joe Pavelski finally retired, so the Stars have to make up for his 67 points.

Matt Duchene and captain Jamie Benn are still providing experience for the Stars, who also lost hard-nosed defenseman Chris Tanev.

With this veteran group, this might be the last chance they have for a Stanley Cup final run, if goalie Jake Oettinger can have a great season. The Stars definitely have the talent to be a popular pick at Bovada!

• Western Conference Position in 2023-24: Lost to Dallas in Second Round
• Key Players: C Nathan McKinnon, RW Mikko Rantanen, D Cale Makar, G Alexander Georgiev
• Total Western Conference Championships: 3
• Head Coach: Jared Bednar

The Avalanche were eliminated in six games by the Stars last season. They’re two seasons removed from winning the Stanley Cup, and many of those players are still intact.

Nathan McKinnon led the NHL with 140 points, winning the Hart Trophy. Mikko Rantanen showed his 2022-2023 campaign wasn’t a fluke with another 100-point season. Cale Makar scored 90 points and may be the best defenseman in the NHL.

The Avalanche are also awaiting word on captain Gabriel Landeskog, who could be ready to return to the ice. Landeskog hasn’t played since the Stanley Cup season of 2021-2022, due to a knee injury.

It would be a stretch to think he could return to what he was, but Landeskog adds playoff experience and leadership. The suspended Valeri Nichushkin could also return this season, if he can sort out off-ice issues.

But it’s also not a stretch to think that the Avalanche could challenge at the top of the conference, and their NHL Western Conference winner odds offers some solid value at NHL betting sites!

The Predators snuck into the playoffs as a wild-card team, but lost in six games to Vancouver in the first round. This season’s team gained Cup-winning experience by signing Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault. Brady Skjei blossomed into a very good defenseman in Carolina, but signed a big-money deal to join the Predators.

Skjei joins Romani Josi as an excellent top pairing on the blue line. Goalkeeper Juuse Saros did his part in the playoffs, but the Predators scored just 12 goals in six first-round games.

Nashville also hasn’t made it past the first round since the 2017-2018 season. If the veterans can help with their experience, Nashville could join the party at the top of the Western Conference.

After missing the playoffs three seasons in a row, the Canucks came out of nowhere to win the Pacific Division, and disposed of Nashville in the first round. They took the Oilers to seven games in the second round, but they showed their inexperience by dropping the last two games of the series.

Still, it was a fantastic season for the Canucks. Head coach Rick Tocchet won the Jack Adams Awards for Coach of the Year, while Quinn Hughes earned the Norris Trophy has the best defenseman in the league.

Now, the Canucks have to deal with expectations because they won’t sneak up on anyone this season. While they lost Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov, both to Boston, they wound up signing former Bruins’ players Jake De Brusk, Danton Heinen, and Derek Forbort. Those players are nice additions to top players J.T. Miller, Brock Boeser and the aforementioned Hughes. Keep an eye on the “Cardiac Canucks” this season.