We are already into the second week of the National Hockey League season that has seen a dramatic increase in wagering on who will win the Stanley Cup. The NHL has recently been praised as a league that truly has parity across all divisions, giving bettors plenty of value when betting futures. Let’s look at some teams that have a great chance to be playing for the Cup next spring and the updated odds to win the Stanley Cup.
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Tampa Bay Lightning +700
The Lightning are one of three teams at +700, odds that make them the favorite to win the Stanley Cup this season. It’s no surprise to see them at the top after returning almost the whole team that made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, where they lost in seven games to the eventual champion Washington Capitals.
Tampa Bay finished the 2017-18 with the top goal differential, highlighting their impressive two-way play. If 24-year-old goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy can continue to improve, it will not be a surprise to see Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman and company sipping from the Cup at years end.
Toronto Maple Leafs +700
The Maple Leafs are the second of three teams that share the favorite odds to win the 2019 Stanley Cup, and for good reason. They have one of the best young teams in the league with names like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner to go along with the newly acquired John Tavares.
Frederik Andersen played like a first team All-Star last season, and if he can continue that high level of play, there is no telling how far coach Mike Babcock can take this team. In a division with the Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators, teams like the Leafs have a clear path to the playoffs. If they can take the next step in the second season after an early first round playoff exit last year, there may be no stopping them.
Winnipeg Jets +700
I just could not leave the Winnipeg Jets, the third team at +700, off my list. The Jets are the Leafs of the West, with a lineup with a great mix of young studs and seasoned veterans. Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine are among the best young players in the world, while guys like Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor are coming into their own as top line players.
Add vets Blake Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien to the mix, as well as one of the best young goalies in the game in Connor Hellebuyck, and another deep playoff run would not be a stretch. Last season they made it to the Western Conference Finals where they lost to Vegas in 5 games after winning Game 1.
Nashville Predators +950
After getting to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2016-17 where they lost to the Penguins in 6 games, the Nashville Predators didn’t fair so well in the playoffs last season after getting ousted by the Jets in Round 2.
The Preds finished last season with the most points at 117, winning the Presidents’ Trophy and home ice advantage through the playoffs, but ask the Capitals how that worked out in years past. With the core of this team returning on 2018-19, I love the value they are providing at +950. Goalie Pekka Rinne has the ability to win games on his own when he is hot, so do not sleep on these guys.
Chicago Blackhawks +3500
If you read my stuff, you know I rarely go chalk, preferring to find value deeper in the odds. And this year, the Blackhawks could be that team. In 2016-17, the Blackhawks finished first in the Central and with a 50-23-9 record, good for third in points with 109.
The aforementioned Predators destroyed them in the playoffs that year, falling prey to a hot Pekka Rinne, getting shutout in the first two games, scoring only 3 goals in a four-game sweep. Last season they never seemed to get over that playoff loss, managing only 33 wins, finishing dead last in the Central.
Jonathan Toews was the best hockey player in the world not too long ago, and while he doesn’t have the goods to claim that title again, a resurgence for the 30-year old, 11-year veteran could be in the cards. With Patrick Kane and youngsters Alex Brincat and Nick Schmaltz, this team can turn around in a hurry and make a splash in the playoffs.
Edmonton Oilers +2300
This team has to put it all together sometime, and perhaps this is the year. They have one of the league’s best players in Connor McDavid, and if they can get Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Leon Draisaitl going, the Oilers should at least make the playoffs this season.
At +2300, I won’t be putting the bank on these guys, but if all the pieces fall into place, a playoff run is possible.
Three Tips to Betting Early Season NHL Hockey Games
Here are all the current odds for NHL teams to win the 2019 Stanley Cup:
Tampa Bay Lightning +700
Toronto Maple Leafs +700
Winnipeg Jets +700
Nashville Predators +950
San Jose Sharks +950
Boston Bruins +1150
Pittsburgh Penguins +1150
Vegas Golden Knights +1150
Washington Capitals +1150
St. Louis Blues +2000
Columbus Blue Jackets +2300
Edmonton Oilers +2300
Philadelphia Flyers +2300
Los Angeles Kings +2300
Anaheim Ducks +2800
Calgary Flames +2800
Dallas Stars +2800
Minnesota Wild +2800
Chicago Blackhawks +3500
Colorado Avalanche +3500
Florida Panthers +3500
New Jersey Devils +3500
Buffalo Sabres +4500
Arizona Coyotes +5500
Carolina Hurricanes +5500
New York Islanders +5500
Montreal Canadiens +6500
New York Rangers +6500
Vancouver Canucks +6500
Detroit Red Wings +12500
Ottawa Senators +17500
