NHL Stanley Cup Odds Update: Avalanche, Hurricanes Lead the Pack

The NHL season is officially underway and we're getting an idea of who the elite are early on.

Two weeks into the 2023-24 campaign, it's not difficult to see what teams are the real contenders are early on. Of course, it's a long season where bumps, bruises, and more will begin to add up. However, it's good to see what teams are establishing themselves as Stanley Cup contenders.

Let's take a look at the teams at the top of the Stanley Cup odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Stanley Cup Odds

Colorado Avalanche (+800)

The Colorado Avalanche were heading into the season as the favorites, and they still have the best odds, moving to +800.

Through their first five games, the Avalanche are third in Corsi For (Total Shot Attempts Created) per 60 minutes at 68.26 while also ranking 14th with a 58.43 Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed) per 60 minutes. Colorado also ranks second in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 3.87. Their offense is playing at a top level already.

The biggest advantage for them this season has been the play of Alexandar Georgiev. Colorado's netminder has been far and away the best in the league thus far, putting together an insane 9.4 goals saved above expectation (GSAx) -- 4.4 goals higher than the second-best goalie so far this season. That breaks down to an impressive 1.85 goals saved above expectation per 60 minutes. If he's able to stay healthy, then his 5-0-0 start is just the beginning. When you're a championship team, you need a top player like that to come through.

It's still early to tell who truly are going to be in contention when the playoffs come around, but in terms of "safe bets," the Avs are as good as any.

Carolina Hurricanes (+900)

We've been here before, but the Carolina Hurricanes are looking like one of the best teams in hockey yet again.

The Canes lead the league in Corsi For per 60 minutes at a 71.34 clip, roaring out the gates offensively despite the 3-3-0 record. Defensively, they've been a force as well with a 51.62 Corsi Against per 60 minutes, ranking as the fourth-lowest in hockey.

Carolina's 4.44 goals for per 60 sees them outperforming expectations. The team's xGF/60 lays in the middle of the league at 3.28, making them more average than not. Unlike the Avalanche, they're not being aided by their goalie play, which has been part of their problems when it comes to making a run in the playoffs. Frederik Andersen has a -2.8 GSAx and Antti Raanta has a -3.7 GSAx so far this season; that's not going to cut it.

The Hurricanes are as talented as any team when it comes down to their 18 skaters. If they want to make a true run, they'll need to shore up things between the pipes to have any shot of taking home Lord Stanley's Cup.

Toronto Maple Leafs (+1000)

We're getting closer and closer to it being theToronto Maple Leafs' year, and it's starting to feel like that could be now.

The offense led by Auston Matthews (six goals in five games) has opened the season just as strong as any team. They're No. 2 in Corsi For per 60 minutes (70.66). Oftentimes with the Leafs, it's never offense that is the worry. Thankfully for them, the defense and (some) goaltending are coming through enough in the early going.

Toronto has a 57.85 Corsi Against per 60 minutes rating which ranks 12th. The goals against per 60 minutes is inflated to a tough 3.69, but in terms of expectations, they have a top-10 rated 2.92 expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). They have been unlucky but should be able to turn things around.

Joseph Woll may be making a case for the starting job, continuing to outplay Ilya Samsonov. Woll has been among the best early on with 3.0 GSAx, which is about the opposite of Samsonov.

Early on, Samsonov ranks dead last in GSAx at -5.2 -- a brutal mark that will have him replaced as the go-to guy early if needed.

The Maple Leafs have the pieces in place to make a splash; it's just a matter if they can all come together as many have expected for years. For now, it's wait-and-see with them as per usual. We need more of a sample size due to their history.

Edmonton Oilers (+1000)

The Edmonton Oilers have more holes than you'd expect out of a team that many have championship hopes for -- and they're the usual ones.

Besides Connor McDavid being injured (which is expected to have him only miss three games or so), nightmares have set in on the backend. The scoring against them, of course, kicked off on the opening night when the Vancouver Canucks potted eight goals against them, which hasn't helped the overall 3.95 GA/60. There is good news, however, as they have an expected 2.78 goals against per 60 minutes. It's not all bad for the defense who opened up poor, but that means it is going poorly in net.

Starter Stuart Skinner has been right there at the bottom for the position this year. He's got a -5.1 GSAx, which translates to -1.989 per 60 minutes. Jack Campbell has been better but remains in the negative at -0.5. It's become a theme that the Oilers can't get it done because of their problems in goal. That's not looking like it's changed all too much in 2023-24.

Thankfully, the offense remains elite without being in full form yet -- especially on their power play. With an extra man, they're ranked fifth at 128.87 Corsi For per 60 minutes, which helps push them to a 62.00 Corsi For per 60 minutes overall (14th in the league). It's still very early (five games to be exact), so there's plenty of time for them to find their legs.

Let's just hope that, if you already got the Oilers, they figure out how to keep the puck out of the net for their sake.

Vegas Golden Knights (+1100)

Opening the season at 6-0-0, the Vegas Golden Knights look ready to repeat.

The Golden Knights feel like hockey's best once again -- and they're not even playing at a top level yet. They have positive marks with strong defense (56.88 Corsi Against per 60 minutes; 1.81 GA/60) and an offense that is overachieving early on.

Vegas is averaging 3.95 GF/60, which is much higher than the expected 3.07. They have just a 59.51 Corsi For per 60 minutes (19th in the league). They're winning by any means necessary on the back of Jack Eichel and company. And, as we saw last year, that's all they need to do in the regular season before turning it up in the playoffs.

The story of the Stanley Cup playoffs a year ago -- Adin Hill -- doesn't seem to be slowing down, either. Hill has a 1.73 goals against average, .934 save percentage, and 3.3 GSAx. Pair this with the returning Logan Thompson, who looks on form (3.3 GSAx) to form one of the best tandems in the NHL.

The majority of their championship winning team from last year is back outside of Reilly Smith. There's little reason to think they can't run it back once again this year.

Looking for more NHL betting opportunities? Check out all of the NHL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.