Avs remain favorites to win, but Sabres storyline tempts bettors
By Doug Greenberg
Published on April 17, 2026.
The Colorado Avalanche are the clear favorites to win the Stanley Cup playoffs, but some are hoping they will be more successful. The Avs are currently +300 to win, aiming to be the first team to do so in the same season since 2013. The Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning are next in the odds at +475 and +500 respectively, according to DraftKings lines. Caesars Sportsbook lead hockey trader Karry Shreeve believes that the highest-rated teams in the league are Colorado, Carolina, and Tampa bay. However, the Vegas Golden Knights, who are tied with the Dallas Stars for fourth on DraftKings' odds board at 10-1, may pose a challenge for sportsbooks. The Buffalo Sabres, who ended a 14-year playoff drought by winning the Atlantic Division, are 14-1 odds to win after entering the season around 150-1.
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