With the NHL brimming with top class franchises, the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs look set to be the most exciting yet. The famous trophy is one of the oldest and most cherished prizes in sport. The Cup was first awarded in 1893, and today, the tension and excitement around predicting the Stanley Cup winner is better than ever. We've put together all the most relevant Stanley Cup 2023 information for you below.
Stanley Cup 2023 picks and predictions
The 2023 NHL season looks set to be one of the most exciting yet. Take a look and see who our handicappers are picking this year.
Stanley Cup MVP betting
One of the most exciting Stanley Cup betting markets is the
MVP prop bet
. I
t is given to the individual who is viewed as the most valuable player (MVP) during each NHL post-season.
The winner is determined by members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association and is named after Toronto Maple Leafs’ former owner, general manager, and head coach. It differs from MVP awards in other American sports, as it’s awarded to the player with the best performance over the entirety of the post-season, not just in the finals.
NHL playoffs and Stanley Cup explained
Want to know how the NHL playoffs and Stanley Cup format works? We've broken it down for you with a comprehensive explainer. Our NHL playoff breakdown covers everything from home advantage and fixture dates to seedings and the format for the final. So if you are new to NHL betting and don't feel entirely comfortable making Stanley Cup picks yet, see our
Stanley Cup explainer here.
The Stanley Cup playoffs throws up some of the most exciting games in all of sport. From the
Montreal Canadiens shock playoff win over the Maple Leafs last year, to the ‘Miracle on Manchester’ in 1982, there is no shortage of drama on the biggest hockey stage of them all.
We've compiled a list of the six most memorable Stanley Cup wins. Check it out
here.
The Stanley Cup is the perfect event for live betting, with a guaranteed four games (at least) of hockey to enjoy. The twists and turns in the best of seven series mean that the pregame odds don’t always reflect the action that happens during the matchup, so the odds are constantly updating. If you’re watching and see the momentum swinging, you can take advantage in real time.
Live betting with Stanley Cup betting sites online means you can stay involved and bet on the game as play unfolds, even if you already have pregame or futures bets placed from hours, days or months before.
Stanley Cup prop bets
Today, Stanley Cup betting online can be done from anywhere, a definite change from when the “Original Six” franchises began play back in 1942. The Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and Detroit Red Wings made up the league in 1942, but today, there are 31 teams in the NHL, playing a combined 1,271 regular season games. Betting can take place as soon as odds on the Stanley Cup are released and you can back any team in the hope that they make it to hockey’s biggest stage.
Stanley Cup prop bets
differ from other hockey wagers because they refer to specific bets outside of selecting the winner of each game. Stanley Cup betting sites provide countless examples of these prop bets, which may include anything from predicting the performance of a certain player, the result of a period, or even an over/under on the number of goals scored throughout the Stanley Cup series.
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) skates with the Conn Smythe Trophy. Pic: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Stanley Cup MVP
The Conn Smythe Trophy has been a hockey tradition since 1965 and is handed out every season to the Most Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup Finals. Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy won the prize in 2021 for his incredible performances throughout the playoffs.
Former Montreal Canadiens netminder Patrick Roy won the Conn Smythe three times, in 1986, 1993, and 2001 – more than any player in league history.
Stanley Cup odds are posted before each NHL season, but prop bets to win the Conn Smythe Trophy are also posted by various Stanley Cup betting sites. Odds to win the award vary throughout the year, and bettors who want to place a wager on this prop bet often wait until the Stanley Cup matchup is decided to pick. However, if you have your own pick before or during the season, you’ll find the most favorable odds the earlier you decide.
Stanley Cup betting advice
As well as doing your homework on form and matchups, there are many ways to take advantage of the competition among sportsbooks that want you to wager with them. Stanley Cup betting sites offer bonuses when betting on the most exciting event in hockey; whether you’re signing up for the first time, or a longtime customer looking for special promotions.
It’s important to compare these offers and make sure to read the details. Stanley Cup betting sites may offer you extra money based on your deposit, but you may not be able to withdraw your cash until you make more bets. If you plan to make a single bet and then take your profit, you could be limited by the fine print.
However, if you compare deals, you can find the offer that works best for you.
How does betting work when wagering on the NHL Stanley Cup?
Stanley Cup betting online works just like it does on the NHL or in other sports. You can wager on the winner of each game or the winner of the series. There are prop bets and live betting options as well. There are also other wagers that are hockey specific.
Is it legal to bet on the Stanley Cup?
Yes. As long as you are based in a territory where your chosen sportsbook holds a license, and betting is legal in your country, you can enjoy Stanley Cup betting online. Always check whether or not there are any local restrictions.
How do I read Stanley Cup odds?
Stanley Cup odds are read the same way as other sports odds. The most common wager is a moneyline bet. A minus symbol in front of a number means that team is the favorite. A plus symbol in front of a number indicates that team is the underdog.