2017 NHL Playoffs: Ducks, Oilers Western Conference favorites
The NHL Playoffs are down to four teams in the Western Conference and two teams are leading the way toward the Stanley Cup in the eyes of the oddsmakers.
2017 WESTERN CONFERENCE ODDS
According to the latest oddsmakers, the Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers are co-favorites to win the Western Conference in the NHL Playoffs, as they each have +220 odds. The Nashville Predators are listed with +250 odds while the St. Louis Blues have +375 odds. The second round of the NHL Playoffs will get underway later this week.
ANAHEIM DUCKS
The Ducks are the top remaining seed in the Western Conference. They are coming off an impressive sweep of the Calgary Flames in the first round. Anaheim outscored Calgary 14-9 in the four games. The Ducks will have the home-ice advantage for their second-round series with the Oilers.
EDMONTON OILERS
The Edmonton Oilers are co-favorites despite playing the other co-favorite in the second round. Edmonton won its first NHL Playoffs series since 2006 by beating the San Jose Sharks in six games. The Oilers were outscored by the Sharks 14-12 in the series, but San Jose had a 7-0 win in Game 4.
NASHVILLE PREDATORS
The Nashville Predators shocked the hockey world when they completed a sweep of the Chicago Blackhawks. Chicago was the top seed in the Western Conference, yet the Predators held them to three goals in four games. Nashville, meanwhile, scored 14 goals in the series. The Predators will now face the St. Louis Blues in the second round.
ST. LOUIS BLUES
The Blues will have the home-ice advantage against the Predators in the second round. St. Louis is coming off a NHL Playoffs series win over the Minnesota Wild in five games. The Blues outscored Minnesota 11-8 in the series and now welcome the Predators to town.
