The NHL playoffs are on the go! With four teams remaining, the race for the Stanley Cup is narrowing down. Of the groups still battling it out, which two will make it to the final?

Currently, oddsmakers favor the Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars (+135) meeting in the Stanley Cup exact matchup odds.

2024 Stanley Cup Exact Matchup Odds

Odds as of May 23, 2024

Stanley Cup Exact Matchup Odds

There's still plenty of postseason hockey to be decided. Let's break down the favorite exact matchup and a value pick.

The Favorite: Florida Panthers vs Dallas Stars (+135)

Credit is being given to the two squads who have handled some tough competitors through the opening couple of rounds. 

The Panthers got rid of the Lightning in the Battle of Florida in five quick games. Despite being swept by the Bruins in the regular season, Florida eventually knocked them out, too. 

The playoff intensity continues to grow and get better with the offense and defense rolling, scoring three goals and conceding none to snag Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final.

Likewise, Dallas gets a round of applause for shutting down Vegas, the defending champions, and now Colorado, the league's top offense.

Honestly, all hail Jake Oettinger. The 25-year-old has pocketed a 2.09GAA and .918SV% throughout the playoffs. Stopping the depth of Colorado is a huge task and somehow Oettinger is accomplishing it. No series off for him either as the Oilers and McDavid are the next task at hand.

Value Pick: Florida Panthers vs Edmonton oilers (+165)

I already bragged about the Panthers. A perfect mixture of Barkov's skill and Tkachuk's grit will carry this group far. 

Edmonton is coming off a back-and-forth, hard-fought best-of-seven series against Vancouver. The group may be tired but there's no way Dallas isn't either, after being forced to take down the two most recent Stanley Cup champs. 

I'm still heavily siding with the oddsmakers here, thinking the Panthers and Stars are the more talented groups on each side. But exhaustion may set Dallas behind and give the Oilers an opportunity to sneak an upset.