Ranking the 16 NHL playoff teams by futures value

After a delightfully confounding NHL season, complete with ridiculous scoring, a historically great top team and some desperation bids to claim the final playoff spots, the field for the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs is sure to provide entertainment value. But what is it going to provide bettors?

Courtesy of the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, the odds to win the Stanley Cup offer plenty of intrigue. With an eye on helping you parse through the legitimate value bets and which landmines to avoid, NHL writers Greg Wyshynski and Chris Peters got together to rank all 16 teams, from the best value bet to win the Cup to the worst.

Wyshynski provides the details on the Western Conference, with Peters taking on the East.

16. Columbus Blue Jackets (30-1)

After clawing their way into the playoffs, the Blue Jackets earned the privilege of going toe-to-toe with the best NHL team of the past 20-plus years. Barring a stunning performance from Sergei Bobrovsky, who carries an .891 career postseason save percentage into the playoffs, it's hard to see any scenario where the Jackets escape the first round, let alone win the whole thing.

15. Colorado Avalanche (25-1)

The problem with the Avalanche is a bit like the problem the "Ocean's 11" crew faced in their heist: Once they get into the cage, through the security doors there and down the elevator they can't move, and past the guards, into the vault they can't open ... they're still in the middle of the flippin' desert. That's essentially what beating the Flames, the winner of the Sharks and Golden Knights, the winner of the Central and then either the Lightning or the team that slayed Goliath is like.

14. Carolina Hurricanes (30-1)

The sentimental favorites after ending their 10-year playoff drought, the Canes certainly aren't going to be a popular pick due to their extremely difficult first-round matchup with the defending Cup champion Capitals. In four meetings this season, Carolina played Washington tough but lost each game. There's no reason to expect things to change in the postseason with a battle-tested and deeper Capitals team.

13. New York Islanders (30-1)

The Islanders have an intriguing first-round opponent in the Penguins, in that New York might actually match up better than some of its fellow 30-to-1 long shots. But even if the Isles get past Pittsburgh, a gauntlet awaits. Robin Lehner has had an incredible season, but he only has 49 minutes of playoff experience, while tandem mate Thomas Greiss has appeared in 12 postseason contests. Despite allowing the fewest goals against in the NHL this season, that lack of a playoff track record scares me away.

12. Dallas Stars (25-1)

The Stars have two things going for them: Ben Bishop and Anton Khudobin, who combined for a 2.44 goals-against average that was second in the NHL. But the Stars are at a steep offensive disadvantage in Round 1 against the Predators -- Dallas is 22nd in expected goals for at 2.29, while Nashville is eighth -- and will face similar issues in every round.

11. Toronto Maple Leafs (20-1)

Toronto was the preseason betting favorite to win the whole thing, but they never quite played up to those expectations. The Leafs also continually stumbled down the stretch, losing 11 of their last 16 games and shattering whatever confidence was left in them. This is enticing if you're a Leafs fan, I suppose.

10. Calgary Flames (10-1)

There's nothing wrong with Calgary as your pick to win the Western Conference, given how potent their offense is and how surprisingly effective their defense and goaltending have been (2.28 expected goals against per 60 minutes). The Flames might just be a little overvalued at 10-to-1 when one considers both the road ahead and the fact that they were 30-to-1 before the season.

9. San Jose Sharks (12-1)

This is right where the Sharks were before the season started. Since then, they managed to finish last in the NHL in team save percentage and earned themselves a very tough first-round matchup against the Golden Knights.

8. Pittsburgh Penguins (16-1)

Having started the season at 12-1 and now seeing the Pens slip to 16-1 screams "value pick." But the Pens have been more middle-of-the-road this season in a lot of ways, and their leaky penalty kill is a real concern. The Islanders should give them all they can handle in the first round, which could wear on the Pens even if they advance.

7. Tampa Bay Lightning (2-1)

The Lightning deservedly get the favorite spot, and even though so few Presidents' Trophy champions pull the double and win the Stanley Cup, this Tampa Bay squad is special. There are too few weaknesses to pick apart, but the value isn't there at 2-1.

6. Boston Bruins at 12-1

The Bruins are about as healthy as they've been all season. Boston had the third-best power play in the NHL, allowed the third-fewest goals against and was sixth in possession. Now at (mostly) full strength, they're the matchup no one wants to have to deal with in the postseason.

5. Winnipeg Jets (18-1)

Could a late-season slump prove to be your good fortune? 'Twas a time when the Jets were fancied as a top Stanley Cup contender, with preseason odds at 12-to-1.

4. Vegas Golden Knights (10-1)

The Knights began the season at 8-1. There's every chance that the winner of the Vegas vs. San Jose series ends up winning the West. While they're similar in both offense and defense metrics, the Knights have the advantage in most categories.

3. Washington Capitals (12-1)

It's awfully hard to repeat, but so much of last year's cast is back and still playing at a high level. On top of that, Braden Holtby is coming into the postseason red hot; Carl Hagelin has been a great addition via trade while bolstering the team's Stanley Cup pedigree; and Alex Ovechkin is still scoring goals by the bucketload. While the Lightning are the favorites, the Caps might have the best shot of going through them, which is why that 12-1 number looks especially intriguing.

2. Nashville Predators (12-1)

The Predators were 10-to-1 before the season, and in winning the Central, they avoid red-hot St. Louis and grab home-ice advantage in the West against everyone not named Calgary. The Preds are middle of the pack defensively but eighth in expected goals per 60 minutes at even strength. Not a bad investment, as they went 7-2-1 down the stretch.

1. St. Louis Blues (16-1)

The Blues are going to be the upset darling of Round 1, and why not? They are on an 8-1-1 roll and have a goalie in Jordan Binnington who seems primed to steal series. They're a top-three team on defense and ninth in expected goals per 60 minutes. A dark horse to jump on before everyone else lights it up and the odds drop.