Nashville Predators Favorites To Win Stanley Cup: Oddsmakers

NASHVILLE, TN — After advancing to the team's first-ever Western Conference Final, completing a 4-2 series victory over the St. Louis Blues with a 3-1 Game 6 victory Sunday, the Nashville Predators have been installed as the favorites to win the Stanley Cup by the oddsmakers.

Online bookmaker Bovada installed the Preds as an 11/4 favorite to win hockey's ultimate prize Monday (the moneyline was +275). Second choice is the Pittsburgh Penguins at 3/1.

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Indeed, bookmakers and hockey analysts agree the Preds are on the odds-on favorite to win the Western Conference Final, with Bovada setting 10/13 odds for Nashville to win the Clarence Campbell Bowl as champions of the west. Nashville's first-ever conference final will begin later this week against either the Edmonton Oilers or Anaheim Ducks. Those teams play a deciding Game 7 Wednesday in Anaheim.

The Preds, once again, will start their next playoff series on the road with Games 1 and 2 in either Orange County or Alberta with Games 3 and 4 at Bridgestone Arena; times and dates will not be set by the league until all four conference semifinals are complete. The Penguins lead the Washington Capitals 3-2 in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi; Game 6 in Pittsburgh is Monday night. In the other Eastern Conference semi, the Ottawa Senators lead the New York Rangers 3-2; Game 6 in New York is Tuesday.