🏒 NHL Conference Final Predictions: Avalanche and Hurricanes Runaway Favorites

We're down to the final four teams in the NHL playoffs as the Eastern and Western Conference finals are set. We're making our best NHL Conference Final predictions to see if the two heavily favored teams are deserving of their status. 

The Vegas Golden Knights will look to overcome the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final, starting Wednesday. The Eastern Conference Final kicks off Thursday with the heavily favored Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Montreal Canadiens. The Avs and Canes are the two teams most heavily favored to win it all, according to the best prediction market apps.

🏒 Who will win the Western Conference Final?

Breaking down the Golden Knights vs. Avalanche

These two teams finished atop the Central and Pacific Divisions, so it's fitting they're set to square off in the Western Conference Finals, and both have been dominant forces in the postseason. Colorado is 8-1 after sweeping the Los Angeles Kings and dropping just one game against the Minnesota Wild; Vegas is 8-4, losing two games in each series against the Utah Mammoth and Anaheim Ducks. 

The Avs are heavily favored to come out on top of the series, and it's no major shock. In the NHL playoffs, they've posted more goals/game, allowed fewer goals/game, logged more shots/game, and allowed fewer shots per game. It's mostly by the strength of a strong penalty kill and a .915 save percentage that the Golden Knights have worked their way into the WCF. 

I don't see this one playing out as easily for the Avs as the first two rounds, but they're the better team and should come out on top over the course of the series. There is still probably a bit of value as long as this stays below 75 cents, but after that it probably becomes a pass. Vegas could become a value play at the 20-cent range. 

Prediction: Avalanche advance over Golden Knights, 4-2

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche: Tale of the Tape

These teams met three times in the regular season, with Colorado posting a 2-0-1 record:

• October 31: Colorado 4, Vegas 2
• December 27: Colorado 6, Vegas 5 (SO)
• April 11: Vegas 3, Colorado 2 (OT)

In the postseason, Colorado has been the dominant force statistically. 

🥅 Who will win the Eastern Conference Final?

Breaking down the Canadiens vs. Hurricanes

The Hurricanes have set the record for the longest wait between series in the modern era, with 11 days between their sweep of the Philadelphia Flyers and the start of their series. The Canadiens certainly haven't had that type of luxury, needing back-to-back overtime Game 7 victories to reach the ECF.

The Hurricanes are even bigger favorites than the Avalanche, but I'm not so sure that's fair. Montreal absolutely dominated Carolina in the regular season, winning all three meetings and outscoring the Canes 15-8. The Canes have been getting by largely on the strength of Frederik Andersen's play in the playoffs. 

The veteran netminder has often stepped up his play in the quest for Lord Stanley, but he's never done it in such a dramatic fashion. After wrapping the regular season with a career-worst GAA (3.05) and SV% (.874), he's followed up with career-best GAA (1.12) and SV% (.950) in the playoffs. Mark me as someone who sees it as unsustainable. 

I love the value on the underdog Canadiens here at this price (28 cents), and I would like them all the way up to the 40-cent range. 

Prediction: Canadiens 4, Hurricanes 3

Montreal Canadiens vs. Carolina Hurricanes: Tale of the Tape

These teams met three times in the regular season, with Montreal winning all three games:

• January 1: Montreal 7, Carolina 5
• March 24: Montreal 5, Carolina 2
• March 29: Montreal 3, Carolina 1

Carolina has been one of the more dominant teams in the playoffs, with their defense and goaltending guiding the way.