The Stanley Cup Final matchup nobody expected a month ago, the New Jersey Devils versus the Los Angeles Kings begins on Wednesday night in Jersey.
A month ago, a Devils-Kings final matchup was a 165/1 longshot bet at - it was one of the least likely Cup matchups.
The Los Angeles Kings snuck into the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, but they'll begin the Cup final as the favorite at William Hill. The oddsmakers at William Hill have set the Kings as a -170 favorite to start the series while the Devils are a +150 underdog.
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The Kings are also favored in the series opener despite the game being played in New Jersey. Los Angeles is a -120 road favorite in Game 1, while the Devils are a +100 road underdog. The Kings have been extremely hard to beat on the road during their playoff run with a perfect 8-0 record on the road so far.
The Devils home record in the postseason isn't too bad either though at 6-2.
If the oddsmakers at William Hill are right the Cup final will go six games with the Kings taking the series 4-2 at +333. That's the favorite on the William Hill “Series Correct Score” prop. A few other odds on the prop include Kings 4-3 a +400, Kings 4-1 at +400, Devils 4-2 at +650, Devils 4-3 at +500 and Devils 4-1 at +850.
Judging by how the regular season matchup between the Kings and Devils went this season taking the Devils as the underdog on at least a few bets. The Kings and Devils faced off twice during the regular season with New Jersey winning both matchups.
The Devils won 3-0 in Los Angeles and 2-1 at home this season. Both game obviously went Under the posted total and in the last five games between the Devils and Kings the Under was 4-0-1.
There are also prop odds on which game will end the series, with Game 6 and 7 co-favorites at +180. Other odds available include Game 4 at +550 and Game 5 at +250.
Stanley Cup Final Series Correct Score (odds courtesy of ):
Los Angeles Kings 4-0 7/1 (+700)
Los Angeles Kings 4-1 9/2 (+450)
Los Angeles Kings 4-2 3/1 (+300)
Los Angeles Kings 4-3 5/1 (+500)
New Jersey Devils 4-0 14/1 (+1400)
New Jersey Devils 4-1 7/1 (+700)
New Jersey Devils 4-2 7/1 (+700)
New Jersey Devils 4-3 5/1 (+500)
Total Games in the Series
4 6/1 (+600)
5 49/20 (+245)
6 17/10 (+170)
7 37/20 (+185)
Total Games in the Series
Over 5½ 4/7 (-175)
Under 5½ 29/20 (+145)
Kings vs Devils Series Game Spread
Los Angeles Kings -1½ 1/1 (EVEN)
New Jersey Devils +1½ 10/13 (-130)
Los Angeles Kings +1½ 1/4 (-400)
New Jersey Devils -1½ 3/1 (+300)
Los Angeles Kings +2½ 1/12 (-1200)
New Jersey Devils -2½ 13/2 (+650)
Total Goals in the Series
Over/ Under 28½
Where Will The Series Be Decided
Staples Center, Los Angeles 11/10 (+110)
Prudential Center, New Jersey 5/7 (-140)
Player Props
Anze Kopitar 4th Round Points vs. New Jersey Devils
Over/ Under 5
Mike Richards 4th Round Points vs. New Jersey Devils
Over/ Under 4
Jeff Carter 4th Round Points vs. New Jersey Devils
Over/ Under 3½
Ilya Kovalchuk 4th Round Points vs. Los Angeles Kings
Over/ Under 5½
Zach Parise 4th Round Points vs. Los Angeles Kings
Over/ Under 5
Travis Zajac 4th Round Points vs. Los Angeles Kings
Over/ Under 3½
Jonathan Quick 4th Round Goals against average vs. New Jersey Devils
Over/ Under 1.95
Jonathan Quick 4th Round Save percentage vs. New Jersey Devils
Over/ Under .930
Martin Brodeur 4th Round Save percentage vs. Los Angeles Kings
Over/ Under .910
Martin Brodeur 4th Round Goals against average vs. Los Angeles Kings
Over/ Under 2.40
Who will Score More Points in the Series?
Anže Kopitar (LAK) 20/23 (-115)
Ilya Kovalchuk (NJ) 20/23 (-115)
Dustin Brown (LAK) 5/6 (-120)
Zach Parise (NJ) 10/11 (-110)
Justin Williams (LAK) 5/6 (-120)
Travis Zajac (NJ) 10/11 (-110)
Mike Richards (LAK) 4/5 (-125)
Patrik Elias (NJ) 20/21 (-105)
Jeff Carter (LAK) 10/13 (-130)
Adam Henrique (NJ) 1/1 (EVEN)
Dustin Penner (LAK) 10/13 (-130)
Dainius Zubrus (NJ) 1/1 (EVEN)
Jarret Stoll (LAK) 11/10 (+110)
Alexei Ponikarovsky (NJ) 5/7 (-140)
Drew Doughty (LAK) -140 (+110)
Marek Zidlicky (NJ) +110 (-140)
Additional Props
Will there be a 5 minute fighting major penalty called during the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals?
Yes 2/5 -250
No 39/20 +195
How May Games of the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals will go to overtime?
Over +1½ 27/20 (+135)
Under -1½ 20/33 (-165)
Will any game in the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals go to double overtime?
Yes 11/4 (+275)
No 2/7 (-350)
Will Either Team Record a Shutout in the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Finals?
Yes 2/3 (-150)
No 6/5 (+120)
How Many Power Play Goals will the Los Angeles Kings Score in the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals
Over 2½ 1/1 (EVEN)
Under 2½ 10/13 (-130)
How Many Short Handed Goals will the Los Angeles Kings Score in the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals
Over ½ 11/10 (+110)
Under ½ 5/7 (-140)
Will there be a suspension in the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals
Yes 3/1 (+300)
No 1/5 (-500)
