NHL Playoffs 2018: Stanley Cup Title Odds, Latest Schedule and Picks

The eight contenders for the Stanley Cup are all in good positions to extend their respective seasons and make a march toward the NHL's biggest prize.

The trio of series in the process of returning to the higher seed's home ice are tied 2-2, while the Tampa Bay Lightning hold a 2-1 advantage over the Boston Bruins entering Friday's Game 4.

If you glance through each team's playoff run, you will find at least a few qualities that make you believe in their chances to complete the championship quest.

Below is a look at the updated odds for the Stanley Cup and which teams are the best picks halfway through the conference semifinal round.

Stanley Cup Odds

Winnipeg +445 (bet $100 to win $445) 

Tampa Bay +545

Washington +610

Vegas +625

Nashville +655

San Jose +815

Pittsburgh +815

Boston +960

Via OddsShark.

Stanley Cup Playoffs Schedule

Friday, May 4

Game 4: Tampa Bay at Boston (7 p.m., NBCSN)

Game 5: San Jose at Vegas (10 p.m., NBCSN)

Saturday, May 5

Game 5: Pittsburgh at Washington (7 p.m., NBC)

Game 5: Winnipeg at Nashville (9:30 p.m., NBCSN)

Sunday, May 6

Game 5: Boston at Tampa Bay (3 p.m., NBC)

Game 6: Vegas at San Jose (7:30 p.m., NBCSN)

Monday, May 7

Game 6: Washington at Pittsburgh (7 p.m., NBCSN)

Game 6: Nashville at Winnipeg (9:30 p.m., NBCSN)

Tuesday, May 8

Game 6: Tampa Bay at Boston (Time TBD, NBCSN)*

Game 7: San Jose at Vegas (Time TBD, NBCSN)*

Wednesday, May 9

Game 7: Pittsburgh at Washington (7:30 p.m., NBCSN)*

Thursday, May 10

Game 7: Boston at Tampa Bay (Time TBD, NBCSN)*

Game 7: Winnipeg at Nashville (Time TBD, NBCSN)*

All Times ET.

*If necessary.

Picks

Vegas

The Vegas Golden Knights were the sexy pick to reach the Stanley Cup Final out of the Western Conference following their first-round sweep of the Los Angeles Kings.

Although Vegas cooled off a bit in the second round against the San Jose Sharks—the series is tied at 2-2—it still has a decent chance of hoisting the Stanley Cup in its expansion season.

Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury carried the Golden Knights in the first round, and with three Stanley Cups to his name from his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he knows how to deal with the pressure of big games.

Vegas also has one of the best home-ice advantages in the sport, which should help it power past the Sharks in the final three games of the semifinal series between the pair of Pacific Division rivals.

Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

Although Nashville and Winnipeg would be solid picks to advance to the Stanley Cup final based off their respective showings in the regular season, the Golden Knights proved they aren't leaving the spotlight anytime soon.

At +625, Vegas could earn you a nice payout if it wins the Stanley Cup, and the Golden Knights are a much better choice than the Jets, who have surged to the top of the odds chart.

Vegas has a chance to prove how important home ice can be in Friday's Game 5, as it looks to avenge a 4-0 Game 4 defeat to the Sharks in order to regain the upper hand in the series.

If the Golden Knights show they can deal with postseason adversity, there's reason to believe one of the most improbable stories in sports continues all the way to the NHL's marquee event.

Pittsburgh

Why the Pittsburgh Penguins have such high odds is baffling, but it presents you with an opportunity to cash in on the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions if they advance back to the championship series.

Sure, it makes sense there was some concern about the Penguins after falling down a game to the Washington Capitals, but they leveled the series Thursday by way of a 3-1 victory.

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

With three games left to finish off the Capitals in the conference semifinal round, the Penguins are in an ideal position to strike and benefit from Washington's self-induced pressure.

No matter what the stakes are throughout the remainder of the series against the Caps, Pittsburgh is going to be the more relaxed side because of its wealth of experience.

Forwards Jake Guentzel and Sidney Crosby didn't slow down after the first round, as the pair combined for 14 points in the first four games against Washington.

Guentzel is only the second player in NHL history to record 10 or more goals in his first two postseasons, with Penguins legend Mario Lemieux being the other, per ESPN Stats & Info:

With a terrific attack in their possession, the Penguins are capable of threatening any defense they play, and they are receiving strong play in net from goalie Matt Murray.

Although they are 1-2 against potential Eastern Conference Final opponents Boston and Tampa Bay, the Penguins have the most championship experience on their roster, led by Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. That characteristic should help them power through to a third successive Stanley Cup Final.

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.