The Stanley Cup playoffs are right around the corner. So it’s time to place your bets on who you think will be this year’s NHL champion.
Every year there is a surprise team that makes a deep run in the playoffs. Last year it was the Nashville Predators who made a run to the Stanley Cup Final.
In years past, we have seen teams like the 2011-12 Los Angeles Kings, a No. 8 seed, shock the hockey world and win the Stanley Cup.
Will you bet on a favorite this year? Or risk it all on a dark horse?
OddsShark has released their latest odds to win the Stanley Cup. The odds are updated as of April 9.
Nashville Predators +375
Boston Bruins +550
Tampa Bay Lightning +600
Vegas Golden Knights +750
Winnipeg Jets +800
Pittsburgh Penguins +1000
Toronto Maple Leafs +1100
Washington Capitals +1100
Anaheim Ducks +2000
Los Angeles Kings +2200
San Jose Sharks +2500
Philadelphia Flyers +2500
Columbus Blue Jackets +2800
Minnesota Wild +3000
Colorado Avalanche +3300
New Jersey Devils +3300
The Favorites
The Nashville Predators were an easy lock for the best odds this season. They were dominant from the beginning of the season all the way to the end. Since they clinched the Presidents’ Trophy they will carry home-ice advantage throughout the entire playoffs. They are a nice, safe bet for anyone looking for an easy win. One of the most surprising teams this season was the Boston Bruins. People expected them to have a decent year — few expected it would be this good. They have the second-best odds to win the Stanley Cup, and it makes sense when you look at how successful they have been even with a lot of injuries during the regular season.
The Money Makers
Moving into the money maker section, you will find the Washington Capitals and Los Angeles Kings. They are not the favorites to win but the odds are decent and will net a solid payout if they are able to win. The Capitals are running out of time to win a cup with their current core. Even though it is said every season, this really could be their year. The Kings are back in the playoffs and will be a tough elimination for any team in the Western Conference. Anze Kopitar is having a career year and is hungry for his third Stanley Cup.
The Underdogs
If your thing is just throwing money at underdogs and hoping you get one right someday, do I have the team for you. I would like to introduce the New Jersey Devils. The New Jersey Devils enter this year’s playoffs with the same odds as last year’s Western Conference champion Nashville Predators. If the New Jersey Devils can make it past the first round, anything is possible.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a very good team, but they haven’t played their best hockey in a long time and might be vulnerable for a first-round upset.
Next: 10 reasons Stanley Cup Playoffs are better than NBA Playoffs
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