The 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs are here. Game 1 between the Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins happens on Saturday night. With that being said the action is coming in hot and heavy to sites in North America as fans try to win money on who will win the Stanley Cup. Just like last season, the Last Word on Hockey will be looking at the oddsmakers’ favourites to win the Stanley Cup as the first round begins courtesy of Sports Interaction. And to no one’s surprise, the 2020-21 Toronto Maple Leafs are the current favourites.
2020-21 Toronto Maple Leafs Favourites To Win It All
Odds Courtesy of SportsInteraction.com
Favourites
Toronto Maple Leafs +432
The odds on favourites are the 2020-21 Toronto Maple Leafs. This should not come as a shock to anyone out there. The Maple Leafs have been the best team in the North Division. But it is so hard to handicap a favourite considering they have not played against the other divisions. This is Toronto’s best chance to get back to the Conference Semifinals. However, the Maple Leafs are dealing with playoff demons. They have not won a playoff series since 2004. And have lost in the first round dating back to 2013. Not to mention they lost in the play-in round last season. And if that was not enough the Maple Leafs have not won a Stanley Cup since 1967 and have not been to the third round since 2002. History is stacked again. But this current Maple Leafs team is constructed to rewrite their own history and the players are the team are playing with a different mindset.
Colorado Avalanche +499
Another favourite to come out of the West is the Colorado Avalanche. How will this team handle the pressure this year of being on the favourites? The Avalanche are on a mission to win the Stanley Cup after falling to the Dallas Stars in Round 2 last season. The President’s Trophy winners have a tough first-round matchup but that lineup can take the Avalanche all the way to the promised land. And the last time the Avalanche were the President’s Trophy winners they won the Stanley Cup and that was back in 2001. The key will be their goaltending as it was last year. Goal scoring and defence are there, but can the goalies stay healthy because all signs put to them winning it all.
Vegas Golden Knights +575
Another favourite in the West Division is the Vegas Golden Knights. The Golden Knights lineup is solid top to bottom. From start to finish the Golden Knights have been one of the best teams with the Avalanche. They finished second in the division and have a tough first-round opponent. After their 2018 run to the Stanley Cup Final, the Golden Knights have not been back there. Losing in the first round in 2019 and in the second round in 2020. Their two-headed monster of Marc-Andre Fleury and Robin Lehner gives them the edge over any team in the division. Plus the addition of Alex Pietrangelo on the back end solidifies their defence. Not to mention Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty upfront. The Golden Knights are primed to win it all.
Value Plays
Carolina Hurricanes +655
Another value playoff is the Central Division winners Carolina Hurricanes. Even though Carolina lost a few games down the stretch, the Hurricanes still have one of the best teams in the division. In fact, you could say top to bottom they might have the best team. In addition, the Hurricanes come playoff time are a different team. Head coach Rod Brind A’Mour has his team playing his style of hockey. Offensively the Hurricanes are as gifted as any team in the league with Sebastion Aho, Vincent Trocheck, Teuvo Teravainen, and Andrei Svechnikov. At +655 this is a good value play.
Tampa Bay Lightning +661
The defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning have a good value play. Not too many people are high on the Lightning considering how they ended their season. But look at who they have coming back into the lineup. When Game 1 of Round 1 starts, Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov will make their return. In addition, the Lightning still have the same team that went all the way last year and are proving that toughness still matters this time of year. Plus with Andrei Vasilevskiy in goal, he can shut down all comers once the playoffs start.
Sneaky Good Plays
For those that do not want to follow the chalk and are looking for some sneaky good plays check out the Edmonton Oilers (+1000), Boston Bruins (+1100) Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals (+1200). These teams have the pedigree to get it done when it counts. And don’t be surprised to see a qualifying team make a deep run.
Worth A Bet
Outside of these plays, check out these long shots like the Winnipeg Jets (+2600) and Nashville Predators (+5000). Both have the ability to make runs in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Especially the Predators who were on a heater to close the season.
The choice is yours and yours alone. But we are here to guide you through this difficult process. Again this is for entertainment purposes only. Nothing guaranteed, and please enjoy responsibly.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
