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3 Stanley Cup Dark Horse Bets Ahead of NHL Season Restart

By Iain MacMillan

The Nashville Predators could be considered a Stanley Cup dark horse given how strong they've been defensively this season.
The Nashville Predators could be considered a Stanley Cup dark horse given how strong they've been defensively this season. / David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
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The NHL shut down its season for a week due to a COVID-19 outbreak across the league, but it's set to get things rolling against on Tuesday, December 28th. Three games are set to take place on the first day back in action, including a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup Final between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Now is as good of a time as ever to take a look at some potential dark horse bets to win it all. Check out our Stanley Cup odds piece to see each team's betting odds to lift Lord Stanley's cup.

All odds listed are via WynnBET.

Top 3 Dark Horse Bets to Win the Stanley Cup

Calgary Flames +2000

Now's the time to bet on the Calgary Flames. They were a darling early in the season, but stumbled a bit ahead of the break has caused their Stanley Cup odds to drop to +2000 (bet $100 to profit $2,000).

They hold the best goal differential in the Pacific Division at +25 despite being 15-7-6 and currently in third place. Their biggest strength has been their defense, which is something that a lot of other teams would love to have.

They're first in the Western Conference in goals against per 60 minutes, allowing just 2.18. They're also allowing the fourth fewest high danger scoring chances in the NHL at 9.62 per 60 minutes, and they're first in team save percentage at 92.45%.

If they can muster up some offense down the stretch, they're going to be a dangerous team in the postseason.

Pittsburgh Penguins +2500

The Penguins were one of the hottest teams in the NHL before the break. They won seven straight games, and climbed up to fourth place in the Metropolitan Division. After a slow start to their season, they've proven that they still belong in the conversation of the best teams in the NHL.

It's hard to discount any team that's led by Sidney Crosby. This is a team that knows how to win, and their experience will be invaluable down the stretch. At +2500 (bet $100 to profit $2,500), the Penguins are a good bet as any at their current price.

Nashville Predators +5000

Much like the Calgary Flames, the Predators are one of the best defensive teams in the NHL and should be taken seriously as we enter the second half of the season. Last year's playoffs proved that defensive teams can do damage in the postseason, as the Islanders and the Canadiens each went on deep runs primarily due to their strong play in their own end.

The Predators are allowing the fewest high danger scoring chances per 60 minutes in the NHL, and their young goaltender, Juuse Saros, has been phenomenal this season. He sports a 2.22 goals against average and a .924 save percentage.

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