NHL Playoffs 2016: Analyzing Stanley Cup Odds for Every Remaining Team

The Washington Capitals survived the first of their elimination games when they defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1 Saturday in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series.

The Caps came home after dropping two close games in Pittsburgh in which they appeared to outplay the Penguins but couldn't come through with crucial goals.

Despite those losses that had them facing a 3-1 deficit, the Capitals were outwardly calm and confident as they prepared for Game 5. Now they are faced with another elimination game, but this one is in Pittsburgh Tuesday night.

"Now we're...feeling pretty good about ourselves and maybe [the Penguins are] not feeling as good about themselves," Capitals forward Jason Chimera told NHL.com correspondent Wes Crosby. "We have a better feeling going into the game now for sure."

The Capitals should also get a lift from the return of Brooks Orpik, who was suspended for three games following his hit on Olli Maatta. Orpik is a key performer on the blue line, averaging more than 20 minutes of ice time per game. He is anxious to get back in the lineup.

"They were three games that could have gone either way," Orpik said, per Crosby. "We're not in the position that we foresaw, but we have a good opportunity [Tuesday]." 

The Penguins have blown a pair of 3-1 leads in recent playoff seasons. They had a 3-1 lead over the New York Rangers in 2014 before dropping the final three games of that series, and the same thing happened in 2011 when they met the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Team	Current Status	Odds	Skinny
Dallas Stars	Tied 3-3 vs. St. Louis	+805	Must overcome defensive woes
Nashville Predators	Tied 3-3 vs. San Jose	+2,600	OT goal sends them to second consecutive Game 7
Pittsburgh Penguins	Leading 3-2 vs. Washington	+300	Big chance to close out series at home
San Jose Sharks	Tied 3-3 vs. Nashville	+480	Home ice has been decisive in this series
St. Louis Blues	Tied 3-3 vs. Dallas	+315	Couldn't close out Stars at home; must win seventh game on road
Washington Capitals	Trailing 3-2 vs. Pittsburgh	+705	Trying to climb out of deep hole

Despite losing Game 5, the Penguins are slight favorites to win the Stanley Cup at odds of plus-300, according to Odds Shark. The St. Louis Blues, who dropped a 3-2 home decision to the Dallas Stars Monday night in Game 6, are the second choice at plus-315.

The Penguins have not lost two games in a row in the playoffs this year, and they have made the most of their scoring opportunities throughout the end of the regular season and during their playoff run.

The Capitals were the Presidents' Trophy winners this year and the dominant team in the regular season, but the Penguins have gotten the jump on them throughout the playoff series. Pittsburgh has been one of the most balanced teams in the playoffs. Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins with 10 points, while Evgeni Malkin, Nick Bonino and Phil Kessel have nine points each.

The Caps are trying to play catch-up in this series, and that's why they are plus-705 to win the Stanley Cup. Their odds were as low as plus-250, but their regular-season achievements have not helped them in this series, and they remain in a rather desperate position.

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

The Dallas Stars are plus-805, and they can survive and advance if they beat the Blues at home Wednesday. There's little doubt that the Stars have explosive firepower with Jamie Benn, Jason Spezza and John Klingberg, but the team has struggled on the defensive end throughout the series.

The Lightning advanced to the Eastern Conference Final when they defeated the New York Islanders in five games, and they are plus-505 to win the Stanley Cup. The Lightning got to the Stanley Cup Final last year against the Chicago Blackhawks, and they have time to rest until the series between the Penguins and the Capitals gets decided.

However, Steven Stamkos remains out with a blood clot, and Anton Stralman has been out with a fractured fibula. Stralman may be back for the conference final, but there are no guarantees.

The Nashville Predators have the longest odds on the board at plus-2,600. The Preds defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-3 in overtime in Game 6 on Viktor Arvidsson's nifty backhand shot, and the two teams will meet in Game 7 in San Jose Thursday night.

The Sharks had a 3-2 lead in the third period when Logan Couture scored with less than 10 minutes to go, but Colin Wilson tied it shortly thereafter to send the game into the extra session. The Sharks are plus-480 to win the Stanley Cup.