The Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights are this season’s top two teams, with both aiming to win the iconic Stanley Cup.

Game 1 will take place on Wednesday, June 3, with the face-off scheduled for 10:00 AEST.

Quick Picks

• Our pick: Hurricanes to win
• Value bet: Over 5.5 total games
• Long shot: Carolina 4-3 in Correct Score Playoff Market

Betting Preview

The Stanley Cup is contested in a best-of-seven series, with the winner being the first team to win four games.

Both teams will play consecutive games at home, with the higher-ranking seed getting home ice advantage to begin with.

In this case, it’s the Hurricanes who will start off at home, with back-to-back games in Carolina before heading to Las Vegas for two road games.

If five or more games are required to determine the next Stanley Cup champions, then games will be played at each other’s venues.

So, Game 5 will be played in Carolina, with Game 6 in Las Vegas; if Game 7 is required, it will be played in Carolina.

The Hurricanes reached the Stanley Cup Finals after topping the Metropolitan Division with 53 wins in 82 games.

They would complete clean sweeps against the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers in the First and Second Rounds.

In the Conference Finals, they faced the Montreal Canadiens and won the series 4-1 after losing Game 1. It was the only time in the playoffs that they were beaten.

The Vegas Golden Knights defeated Utah Mammoth in the first round 4-2, before beating the Anaheim Ducks by the same series scoreline.

In the Conference Finals, they eliminated the Colorado Avalanche with a clean sweep, winning 4-0.

Both teams will be playing in their third Stanley Cup Finals, with each having won once and lost once. The Hurricanes last appeared in 2006, while the Golden Knights were involved in 2023; both won their last appearance in the final.

Betting Markets to Watch

The betting markets have the Carolina Hurricanes as the early favourites. Before playing in Game 1, the Hurricanes have won 13 of their last 14 games. However, there isn’t much in the line being offered for them, which suggests there may be other betting markets worth exploring.

The Total Games market may offer value if undecided on who is likely to win, with the Over 5.5 Games outcome offering something.

Both teams have been exceptional in the playoffs and have quality squads capable of forcing this series to go the distance.

Alternatively, the Playoff Series Correct Score market can offer better value if you agree with the Over 5.5 total games. Carolina (as favourites) to win 4-3 offers good long shot value.

Our Prediction

Check the latest Stanley Cup betting odds at Sportsbet.

We think the Hurricanes likely win the Stanley Cup. They’ve been the team to beat this season and have looked unstoppable at times.

Our long shot is as noted above, Carolina to win 4-3, as we feel both teams will push all the way and challenge each other to force seven games.