Looking at the betting market for NHL futures, two teams in particular seem like they need more love when it comes to betting on Stanley Cup odds: The Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals.
Both teams enter action on Tuesday, November 30 with a sterling record, lofty point differential, standout strengths and trademark victories. And yet, more attention continues to get paid to Stanley Cup contenders like the Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators, Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs, among many other candidates.
Can the Panthers or Capitals make a statement large enough to join the fold when they face each other Tuesday night? That's the question we're asking, above all, in our latest batch of NHL betting predictions.
Like usual, let's start with a look at all NHL betting odds for games on November 30, courtesy of BetOnline:
| Favorite |  | | Underdog |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Devils | -140 | +127 | San Jose Sharks |
| Florida Panthers | -148 | +134 | Washington Capitals |
| Boston Bruins | -215 | +193 | Detroit Red Wings |
| Nashville Predators | -152 | +137 | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | -105 | -105 | St. Louis Blues |
| Carolina Hurricanes | -113 | +102 | Dallas Stars |
| Los Angeles Kings | -125 | +113 | Anaheim Ducks |
If you're on the prowl for a new place to submit NHL bets, you'll definitely want to check out our reviews of top online sportsbooks. Regardless of where you take your business, though, remember to double-check all of these NHL odds prior to settling on your NHL picks. The lines will continue moving right up until the opening face-off.
Why Panthers vs. Capitals is So High-Stakes
Cracking the NHL's click of Stanley Cup hopefuls is extremely difficult. Experts and analysts inherently hold teams to a higher standard of entry, because upsets are so common across single games and playoff series. And this makes sense. So many teams could be deemed Stanley Cup betting favorites when looking at records alone.
This is why Tuesday night's showdown between Florida and Washington registers as so important for both squads. They're knocking on the door of Stanley Cup contention, and the winner of this game might just be let in.
Which team has the edge? We're so glad you asked. We have Panthers-Capitals betting picks as well as NHL predictions for some of Tuesday's top other games.
Washington Earns a Gold Star Against Florida
Oddsmakers are giving the advantage to the Panthers here, a decision that truly puzzles us. The vitals are these two teams are nearly identical, and Florida, to their credit, has played out a tougher schedule.
But the Capitals have a larger goal differential, do a much better job killing penalties and are allowing fewer scores per game overall. On top of all that, Washington enters on a three-game winning streak.
Sign us up for the upset—and a Stanley Cup-sized statement from the Capitals.
OSB Prediction: Washington Capitals (+134)
New Jersey on Upset Alert vs. San Jose
San Jose has admittedly cooled off after a great start, and people are forever turned off by winning records that include a negative point differential. Still, this is another instance in which linemakers appear to have missed the mark.
The Sharks continue to sport one of the NHL's stingier defenses. Only two teams kill a larger share of their own penalties, and San Jose's goalies are saving 91 percent of the opposing shots that come their way.
Both of these marks demonstratively outstrip those from the New Jersey Devils, who also just so happen to be a team lacking consistent offense. We trust San Jose more than them.
OSB Prediction: San Jose Sharks (+127)
Tampa Bay Inches Past St. Louis
The reigning Stanley Cup champions have endured their fair of struggles to start the season. Injuries have messed with their rotations, and they've proven incapable of capitalizing on their power play opportunities.
We're not yet sweating Tampa Bay's performance. On the contrary, they've yet to play their best hockey and still hover above .500. Oddsmakers seem split on their chances against St. Louis, but the Blues are shooting a lower percentage from the ice and have only slightly excelled against an easier than expected schedule.
OSB Prediction: Tampa Bay Lightning (-105)
Carolina Brings the Heat Against Stars
There are some nights when the Hurricanes seem unbeatable. That is obviously hyperbole, but it rings true when their opponent is the Dallas Stars.
Dallas has been unable to gain any offensive traction this season. They're averaging under 2.75 goals per game and shooting just 9.1 percent from the ice. Putting them up against Carolina's defense, which does everything from force turnovers to kill penalties in volume, is almost unfair.
OSB Prediction: Washington Capitals (-113)
Boston Should Demolish Detroit
Hardly anyone saw the Detroit Red Wings staying above .500 this late into the season. Kudos to them for eking out as many points as possible.
Just don't expect their place in the standings to hold. The Red Wings don't have a reliable offensive pecking order of which to speak, and they're going up against a Boston Bruins team that is scoring on nearly 25.5 percent of their power plays while allowing fewer than 2.85 goals per game.
OSB Prediction: Boston Bruins (-215)
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