2013 Western Conference Betting Odds

The Kings shocked everyone by winning the Stanley Cup last season and they along with the Canucks have the lowest odds to win the NHL's Western Conference this season.

One of the main reasons the Kings made the playoffs last season was the play of G Jonathon Quick, who won the Conn Smythe trophy last season and was awarded with a huge contract extension. Drew Doughty leads a solid defense, but the offense had the 2nd lowest goal per game average last year. The line of Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown and Justin Williams had a great playoff run last season with 20 points and these guys along with the line of Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Dustin Penner must take pressure off the defense.

The Canucks lost to the Kings in the first round of the playoffs last season The Sedin brothers still pace the offense and Jason Garrison was signed in the off-season to help the power play, but who will be in goal? Roberto Luongo was the #1 G last season, but was replaced with Cory Schneider, who may be THE guy between the pipes this year.

The Blackhawks have lost in the first round of the playoffs 2 straight seasons and while their offense was solid last season they had issues on defense. Corey Crawford and Ray Emery will spilt time in goal for a Chicago team that gave up nearly 3 goals per game last season. Marian Hossa has been cleared to play after last season's injury, but the many promising young players may determine how far Chicago advances.

The Blues won the Central division last season and they locked up their solid front line duo of forwards David Perron and T.J. Oshie in the off-season. 2010 first round draft pick Vladimir Tarasenko will make his debut this season after spending the last 2 in the Russian league. G's Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott were solid last season as was the St. Louis D, but the offense needs to be more steady and the wingers need to stay healthy, which was a problem for them.

Additional Teams Odds

The Red Wings and Sharks are both at 11.00 to win the West. The Red Wings have talent, but how will they play with Nicklas Lidstrom retiring? The Sharks have good veteran laced roster, but their offense struggled last season and their playoff woes are a major issue.

The Oilers and the Wild are both at 15.00 to win the Western Conference. The Wild made a big splash in the off-season bagging 2 of the most prized free agents in Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter. Minnesota was decimated by injuries last season and that killed them on offense. The Oilers have a young nucleus and their offense needs to score to take pressure off the G tandem of Nikolai Khabibulin and Devan Dubnyk, 26, who set career highs in appearances (47), wins (20) and goals-against average (2.67).

2013 Betting Odds to Win the Western Conference

All odds below were avaialble at 5Dimes on January 17th 2013. Click Here to get the up to the minute Western Conference Future odds.

• Los Angeles Kings 6.00
• Vancouver Canucks 6.00
• Chicago Blackhawks 7.00
• St. Louis Blues 7.50
• Detroit Red Wings 11.00
• San Jose Sharks 11.00
• Edmonton Oilers 15.00
• Minnesota Wild 15.00
• Nashville Predators 19.00
• Dallas Stars 23.00
• Anaheim Ducks 23.00
• Phoenix Coyotes 26.00
• Calgary Flames 34.00
• Colorado Avalanche 34.00
• Columbus Blue Jackets 101.00

2012 Western Conference Futures

• Vancouver +250
• Detroit +450
• San Jose +450
• Chicago +450
• St. Louis +800
• Los Angeles +1000
• Nashville +1425
• Minnesota +2400
• Dallas +2400
• Phoenix +3500
• Colorado +3500
• Calgary +4000
• Edmonton +8000
• Anaheim +10000
• Columbus +30000