2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Preview: Western Conference Matchups & Predictions
With the NHL playoff picture now clear, we are looking ahead to the first round of the Western Conference using the Stanley Cup odds in our Stanley Cup playoffs betting preview.
The top NHL betting sites are favoring the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers as the leading contenders to represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Final. The Dallas Stars, closely behind as the third favorite, have been dominating the league for more than a month and will aim to maintain their impressive performance in the playoffs.
Check out our Western Conference first-round update to help you make informed betting choices. For more guidance, also check out our comprehensive Stanley Cup playoffs betting guide and Eastern Conference betting preview.
Western Conference first-round matchups, odds, predictions
- Vegas Golden Knights (WC2) vs. Dallas Stars (1)
- Colorado Avalanche (C3) vs. Winnipeg Jets (C2)
- Nashville Predators (WC1) vs. Vancouver Canucks (2)
- Los Angeles Kings (P3) vs. Edmonton Oilers (P2)
Golden Knights vs. Stars
The Dallas Stars are currently leading the pack and are poised to advance, as indicated by our top sports betting apps. They have been dominating the NHL in recent games, boasting a remarkable 17-4-0 record since Feb. 28 and holding the top spot with a .810 points percentage. The Stars not only have an impressive winning streak, but they also have one of the most balanced teams heading into the playoffs. However, the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers may challenge that claim.
Dallas is a seasoned and cunning veteran team that is hungry and ready to make a run for the Stanley Cup. Although the Golden Knights dominated the Stars in the regular season, winning all three matchups, they have not faced Dallas since December 9th, before the Stars hit their stride.
What the analytics say
| Stars | Golden Knights | |
|---|---|---|
| One-goal game win % | 9th | 5th |
| Scoring-first win % | 9th | 18th |
| Goals per game | 3rd | 13th |
| Goals against per game | tied 8th | 11th |
| Home points % | tied 7th | tied 7th |
| Away points % | 1st | tied 16th |
| Win % leading after one period | 11th | tied 13th |
| Corsi % | 5th | 21st |
| Power play | 6th | 20th |
| Penalty kill | 8th | 16th |
| Goaltending advantage | X |
Golden Knights vs. Stars series prediction
Since Christmas, the Golden Knights have had fluctuating performance like a yo-yo, partially due to injuries. Despite the reasons, they will face a confident Stars team prepared for a successful playoff run. The Stars have a 15-4 record since acquiring defenseman Chris Tanev from the Calgary Flames, and they are seeking revenge after losing to the Golden Knights in last season’s Western Conference Final.
FanDuel is offering odds of +158 for a -1.5 Dallas series spread. For those feeling daring, there is an option to bet on a 4-2 Dallas series win at +490. A $10 bet on the -1.5 Dallas spread could result in a profit of $15.80, with a probability of 38.76%.
Top choice: Stars -1.5 series spread with odds of +158 from FanDuel.
This offer is exclusive to new customers who deposit a minimum of $5. Place your first bet of $5 or more, and if it wins within 72 hours, you will receive $200 in Bonus Bets.
Avalanche vs. Jets
The Colorado Avalanche and Winnipeg Jets are heading into the playoffs with contrasting momentum and unique strengths, making their Western Conference series one of the most unpredictable matchups.
Winnipeg is on an eight-game winning streak, with impressive victories over the Dallas Stars and Avalanche by a 10-0 scoreline. The Avs have struggled recently, losing four of their last five games and five of their last seven, with their only win being a meaningless one against Edmonton on April 18.
The Avalanche boast a wealth of star talent, with Hart Trophy frontrunner Nathan MacKinnon, Norris Trophy contender Cale Makar, and the return of Mikko Rantanen from concussion protocol. Despite having the league’s most potent offense, the team struggles with defensive weaknesses, particularly in goal where Alexandar Georgiev has had a disappointing season and limited playoff experience with just nine games played.
Comparing him to Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck is like pitting a homemade wood-fired gourmet pizza against a frozen one from the grocery store. Hellebuyck, likely to win his second Vezina Trophy, leads in various statistical categories, with 11 more goals saved above expected than second-place Thatcher Demko.
The Jets were able to easily defeat the Avs in all three regular season matchups, with a particularly impressive 7-0 win in Colorado where home-ice advantage was on the line.
What the analytics say
| Avalanche | Jets | |
|---|---|---|
| One-goal game win % | 15th | 8th |
| Scoring-first win % | 20th | 1st |
| Goals per game | 1st | 15th |
| Goals against per game | 17th | 2nd |
| Home points % | 1st | 7th |
| Away points % | 12th | 6th |
| Win % leading after one period | 17th | 1st |
| Corsi % | 6th | 13th |
| Power play | 5th | 22nd |
| Penalty kill | 12th | 21st |
| Goaltending advantage | X |
Avalanche vs. Jets series prediction
Two weeks ago, I would have recommended betting on the Avalanche. However, the Jets are currently on a rapid and steep upward trajectory, comparable to an F-14 Tomcat fighter jet. They have significantly improved defensively and in goal, with Hellebucyk capable of single-handedly winning a series if necessary.
According to the season matchups, the Jets seem to have the Avs’ number. If they can effectively limit MacKinnon’s impact, the Jets have a good chance of causing an upset.
Top choice: Jets are favored to win the series (+115 odds on FanDuel)
Only new customers are eligible for this promotion. To qualify, deposit a minimum of $5 and place your first bet of $5 or more. If your bet wins within 72 hours, you will receive $200 in Bonus Bets.
Canucks vs. Predators
After a four-year absence, the Vancouver Canucks have returned to the playoffs. They began the season with incredible speed but have since slowed down significantly. While Thatcher Demko’s injury is partly to blame for their struggles, the Canucks’ decline actually started about a month before their star goalie got hurt on March 9th.
The Nashville Predators have been the top team in the NHL since Feb. 16, with an impressive streak of 18 straight games earning at least one point, including 16 wins. Although they have slowed down recently, they were a dominant force akin to Bruce Wayne’s powerful uppercut.
As of Feb. 16, the Canucks have the 17th-best points percentage, earning only 59% of the available points. However, there is some positive news from the West Coast as Demko made his return to action against Calgary on April 16.
What the analytics say
| Canucks | Predators | |
|---|---|---|
| One-goal game win % | T-10 | 3rd |
| Scoring-first win % | 8th | 9th |
| Goals per game | 6th | 10th |
| Goals against per game | 5th | T-13 |
| Home points % | 4th | T-18 |
| Away points % | 8th | 9th |
| Win % leading after one period | 18th | T-19 |
| Corsi % | 10th | 9th |
| Power play | T-10 | 16th |
| Penalty kill | 20th | T-22 |
| Goaltending advantage | X |
Canucks vs. Predators series prediction
Sound the alarm for an upset alert! The Predators have a great opportunity to defeat the No. 2 Canucks. The outcome of this series may depend on Demko’s performance after a long break. Will he shake off any rust and seamlessly return to his top form from earlier in the season, when he was a top contender for the Vezina Trophy?
The Canucks were victorious in all three regular-season matchups, but they have not faced off since December 19th. This was before the Predators hit their stride and the Canucks began to struggle.
Top choice: Predators favored to win series with odds of +130 from DraftKings.
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Kings vs. Oilers
For the third year in a row, the Edmonton Oilers will face off against the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the playoffs. The Oilers have come out on top in their previous two matchups. In the 2021-22 series, the teams went the full distance, while the Oilers clinched victory in six games in the 2026-23 edition. With the Oilers winning three out of four games against the Kings in the regular season, expect a similar outcome in this upcoming series.
In Los Angeles, the only defeat came right after the Vegas Golden Knights ended Edmonton’s 16-game winning streak. A letdown was inevitable, and it was evident in the Kings’ 4-0 victory on Feb. 10. Despite being the second-best team in the league in the first two months, the Kings have struggled since then, now ranking 19th in points percentage since Dec. 8, tied with the Washington Capitals.
After a rough start, the Oilers have been on the rise in the NHL standings. The team’s fortunes changed when head coach Jay Woodcroft was fired on Nov. 12. Under Kris Knoblauch’s leadership, the Oilers now have the best points percentage in the NHL at .703.
What the analytics say
| Oilers | Kings | |
|---|---|---|
| One-goal game win % | 4th | 21st |
| Scoring-first win % | 10th | 19th |
| Goals per game | 4th | T-16 |
| Goals against per game | 10th | 3rd |
| Home points % | 2nd | T-14 |
| Away points % | 11th | 10th |
| Win % leading after one period | T-9 | T-19 |
| Corsi % | 3rd | 4th |
| Power play | 4th | 12th |
| Penalty kill | 15th | 2nd |
| Goaltending advantage | X |
Kings vs. Oilers series prediction
I believe the Oilers will advance for the third consecutive time against the Kings. FanDuel is offering a -1.5 game spread at +118, which provides great value for the Oilers to finish the series in six games or less. Although the Kings have improved lately, they have difficulty winning close games, especially when scoring the first goal or leading after the first period.
With odds of +118, a successful $10 bet would yield a profit of $11.80 and suggest a 45.87% chance of winning.
Top choice: Oilers to win the series in 6 games or fewer (+118 at FanDuel)
This offer is exclusive to new customers who deposit a minimum of $5. If you place your first bet of $5 or more and it wins within 72 hours, you will receive $200 in Bonus Bets.
2026 Stanley Cup playoffs betting previews: Round 1
Check out our first-round preview content to prepare yourself for the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.
- Stanley Cup betting guide
- Stanley Cup playoffs predictions
- NHL playoff upsets
- Eastern Conference betting preview
- Western Conference betting preview
Here are our best NHL betting sites:
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- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- BetRivers Promo Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetRivers Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
*Bonuses are not valid for residents of Ontario. If you are over 21 and have a gambling problem, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Related pages
- Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Underscoreg Promos (U.S. only)
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