After spending two years in Tampa under the Florida sun, the Stanley Cup now calls Colorado home.
Which state will be the next to claim ownership of hockey’s Holy Grail? Or will it be a Canadian province for the first time since 1993?
At BetMGM sportsbook, you can wager on the winning state/province, giving you multiple chances to cash in.
Here’s a look at the bets available and their odds.
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Florida (Panthers or Lightning) +750
The shortest odds belong to the Sunshine State. Florida has two great squads this year, including a Lightning team that has been to the Stanley Cup Finals three years in a row and won twice.
Tampa Bay kept most of its core players and looks solid once again this season. Kucherov and Stamkos lead the way, but the Lightning has gotten great secondary scoring from Brayden Point and Mikhail Sergachev.
Head further south, and you’ll find a new-look Panthers team. Out is last year’s 115-point man, Jonathan Huberdeau. In is former Calgary Flame, Matthew Tkachuk.
Tkachuk leads the team in scoring and has brought the grittiness that the Panthers will need in the playoffs.
Both Florida teams will likely have to go through the league-leading Bruins to make it out of the Eastern Conference.
Alberta (Flames or Oilers) +900
Alberta’s representation has underwhelmed so far this season. The Flames led the NHL power rankings early in the year, but a seven-game losing streak saw them crash down to earth.
There are still high expectations in C-town, but they’ll need to start winning in bunches to gain momentum.
The Oilers made it all the way to the Western Conference finals last year. The unmatched combo of McDavid and Draisaitl continues to dominate up front, but unfortunately, the Oil can’t keep the puck out of their own net.
Still, this will again be a dangerous team come playoff time.
New York (Islanders, Rangers, or Sabres) +1100
New York appears to have three legitimate teams, with the Islanders leading the way.
The Rangers are currently in the hunt, but have yet to find the same form that led to last year’s 110-point season.
The surprise of the group has been the upstart Sabres.
Buffalo was a bottom-dweller last year but is now one of the highest-scoring teams in the league. This team is on the rise and has a chance to cause a ruckus if it can secure a playoff spot.
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Ontario (Maple Leafs or Senators) +1200
Taking Ontario means betting on a province that hasn’t seen a Stanley Cup inside its borders since 1967. The Maple Leafs continue to play great but haven’t gotten over the hump in the playoffs.
Mitch Marner is having a banner year. Auston Matthews is a certified sniper. And the Leafs have the balance to go all the way. The question is, will the team finally live up to its potential?
Meanwhile, the Senators look to be a couple of years from competing and have set up shop in the Atlantic Division’s basement.
Pennsylvania (Penguins or Flyers) +2200
Sidney Crosby is playing like he’s 21 again. The 35-year-old is well over a point per game and has the Pens off to a great start in the Metropolitan.
Punching a playoff ticket in the stacked East will be tough this year, but Pittsburgh has the pedigree. Malkin and Crosby have hoisted Lord Stanley three times together, and some “last dance” vibes aren’t out of the question.
Don’t expect the Flyers to help your cause here. Philly has been in a month-long freefall and has played itself into a deep hole. There’s still plenty of season left, but the sportsbooks have Philadelphia as a long shot right now.
California (Ducks, Kings, or Sharks) +3500
The Ducks and Sharks are already dead in the water, but Los Angeles looks to have life. The Kings currently hold a playoff spot in a wide-open Western Conference.
LA can put the puck in the net (3.37 goals per game, 11th) but will have to shore up the defense if they plan on getting invited to the postseason party.
They currently rank near the bottom of the league in goals allowed (26th) and penalty kill percentage (26th).
Any other state/province -250
If you want to take the field and bank on any of the other 18 teams to win it all, this is the bet for you.
This group has some excellent teams, including the division-leading Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, Dallas Stars, and Vegas Golden Knights.
