There's a noticeable sense of hope regarding theMaple Leafs among customers atOntario sportsbooks , especially since they're set to face off against the team that put an end to Toronto's playoff run last year in the first round.
As the Leafs gear up for their initial playoff series in the NHL against the Tampa Bay Lightning (the first game is scheduled for Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Eastern in Toronto), they are currently favored by bettors to win both the opening game and the overall series as of early Monday afternoon.
BetMGM Sportsbook Ontario BetMGM lists the Leafs at -160 to take the series, receiving 62% of total bets and 81% of the money wagered.
Maple Leafs Stanley Cup Odds
In terms of odds, the Leafs have maintained their position – they opened at +425 to win the Eastern Conference at BetMGM, but this has shifted to +500. Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins have emerged as the favorites to win the East at +185, based on BetMGM’s latest updates.
Toronto is currently positioned at +900 to lift the Stanley Cup, ranking third behind Boston (+325) and the reigning champions, Colorado (+700).
NorthStar Bets Ontario Sportsbook BetMGM places the Bruins at +175 to win the East, with the Leafs following at +500.
The significant concern for the Leafs revolves around the status of their goaltenders.
Matt Murray, known for his previous concussion issues, is out due to a concussion. Ilya Samsonov is set to start for Game 1, though he's recently faced some injuries. Joseph Woll is stepping up as a promising NHL goalie, having achieved a 6-1 record with a 2.16 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage this season.
Check out ourStanley Cup odds tracker for all the latest.
Edmonton Oilers are Drawing Attention from Bettors
Oddsmakers atOntario sports betting apps While many still anticipate the Colorado Avalanche to be the representative in the Stanley Cup finals for the Western Conference, the Edmonton Oilers are generating significant interest.
Currently, BetMGM lists the Oilers' odds of winning the West at +300, a drop from their initial opening of +650 and last week's +450. The Avalanche's odds are now at +275. Over at NorthStar Bets, the Avalanche stands at +225 to win the West, with the Oilers close behind at +325.
For the Stanley Cup, the Oilers are also placed at +900 with BetMGM, which ties them with Toronto for the third best odds.
The Oilers are set to kick off their first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Kings tonight at 10 p.m. in Edmonton.
Caesars Ontario Sportsbook According to BetMGM, the Oilers are favored with odds of -280 to take down the Kings, who possess +222 odds to stage an upset despite finishing just five points behind them for second place in the Pacific Division. Only the Avalanche (-320 against the Seattle Kraken) and the Bruins (-400 against the Florida Panthers) are statistically greater favorites to progress to the second round.
There's considerable excitement surrounding the Oilers, and it's certainly well-deserved. They have the world’s premier player, Connor McDavid, who recorded 64 goals and amassed 153 points this season, and he’s driven to make a significant playoff impact. While regular-season achievements are commendable, the time has come for the Oilers to make a genuine push for the Cup while their key players are still in their prime.
Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have also surpassed the 100-point milestone. Calling the Oilers an offensive juggernaut would be an understatement. It's noteworthy that the Oilers triumphed in 18 out of their last 21 games, finishing the season with 50 wins.
In terms of injuries, the Oilers are faring well – D Ryan Murray has been sidelined with a back issue but is currently on a conditioning assignment in the AHL, which is another positive aspect for bettors atcasino apps Ontario to keep in mind.
Winnipeg Jets Betting Odds
The Winnipeg Jets have been making strides as well – initially opening at +2800 according to BetMGM, their odds have improved to +1100 to win the Western Conference. They will face the favored Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday night at 9:30. BetMGM currently gives Vegas -175 odds to win the series, while the Jets are at +145.
Unsure which of the three remaining Canadian teams to back?DraftKings Sportsbook Ontario They offer a prop bet on any of the trio (Maple Leafs, Oilers, or Jets) to claim the Stanley Cup at +330 odds. If you believe an American team will emerge victorious again, that bet stands at -425 (you’ll be placing a wager encompassing 13 teams).
Operator: iGaming Advertisements Should Focus on Celebrities
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is seeking industry input regarding the use of celebrities in iGaming advertisements before implementing any changes to the standards, a move that has been welcomed by some operators.
"I was genuinely surprised by the AGCO's announcement,\" stated Aly Lalani, BetRegal's marketing head. \"However, I’m particularly pleased that the AGCO appears willing to discuss the matter before moving forward, which likely includes gathering feedback from all involved parties, including operators.\"
Indeed, as the Ontario gaming sector celebrated its first anniversary last week, the AGCO is contemplating modifications to advertising standards forOntario gambling sites , aiming to ban athletes and celebrities likely to attract children and youth from online gambling promotions in Ontario.
The AGCO has expressed its openness to consultations and feedback from industry operators until May 13, when it plans to decide whether to revise advertising guidelines.
"Operators often utilize celebrity endorsements to build credibility with their target demographic. I don’t believe the appropriate response is to impose a blanket ban on all celebrity or influencer representations,” Lalani added. “The objective should be ensuring that messages from these personalities are only reaching their intended audience.”
Fromdeereplanet.com
