We are less than two weeks until the hockey officially returns on August 1. That means the action is coming in hot and heavy to gambling sites around. Here at Last Word on Hockey, we are continuing to preview the upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs via the gambling perspective. After looking at the top point leaders and goal scorers from the qualifying round, today we are looking at the best odds to win the Stanley Cup. Sports Interaction has added some juice to the gambling component. Not only can you pick the outright winner, but the winners from both the Eastern and Western Conference. Right now the smart money is on the 2019–20 St Louis Blues to repeat.
Smart Money On 2019–20 St. Louis Blues
Odds Courtesy of SportsInteraction.com
Favourites
Tampa Bay Lightning +500
Leading the pack heading into the summer hub tournament is the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning are an interesting choice considering their regular season. However, the pause in the NHL schedule will help Tampa Bay recharge and refuel. Winning the Stanley Cup will be just as much as of a physical challenge as a mental challenge. Having to go into this bubble as a team will give the Lightning that special something you need to power through and win. Their lineup can strike at any time with players like Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and others. Not to mention Andrei Vasilevskiy in goal. This team can go far, but do they have what it takes mentality?
Boston Bruins +575
One of the heavy favourites coming out of the East is the Boston Bruins. All season the Bruins were the best team in the Eastern Conference, if not the entire NHL. Boston’s top line of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and David Pastrnak carried them all year. We know they can score, but what happens if those three don’t? Even though they went to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, last year we saw the Bruins lack of depth scoring. Having a break like this will certainly help Boston, especially their older players like Zdeno Chara. If the Bruins can get that depth scoring, there is no reason they should not be hoisting the Stanley Cup in October.
Vegas Golden Knights +625
Over in the West, the Vegas Golden Knights are favoured to come out. Vegas’ lineup is solid top to bottom. Prior to the break, Vegas had won 15 of 16 games and sat as the top seed in the Pacific Division. The Golden Knights expect to be there every season after the success they had in 2018 going all the way to the Stanley Cup. With the additions of Max Pacioretty, Mark Stone, Robin Lehner, and others this team is poised to make another deep run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The question will be which Marc-Andre Fleury shows up in the playoffs. Odds say Vegas should be there toward the end.
Colorado Avalanche +700
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 past two playoff runs, nobody expected much from Colorado, but now it is a different story. With Nathan MacKinnon leading the way, the Avalanche boast one of the top lines in hockey. And they finally have the depth scoring needed with the pickups of Nazem Kadri, Valeri Nichushkin, Andre Burakovsky, and others. Plus Colorado has a stud in Cale Makar anchoring a solid defence. The key will be Colorado’s goaltending. Will it hold up, especially when the Avalanche run into some juggernauts?
Smart Money
St Louis Blues +925
The smart money is on the 2019–20 St Louis Blues to come out of the Western Conference and repeat as champions. For starters, the Blues are getting back a healthy Vladimir Tarasenko. The pause in the NHL season helped the 2019–20 St Louis Blues the most. Tarasenko just brings a different dynamic to the 2019–20 St Louis Blues offence. The Blues are the most complete team in the NHL. Their ability to roll four lines, not to mention, that style they play is meant for the playoffs. You will not find a harder team to play against than the Blues. A lot points to them repeating.
Sneaky Good Plays
For those that do not want to follow the chalk and are looking for some sneaky good plays check out the Washington Capitals (+1300), Pittsburgh Penguins, (+1400), and Dallas Stars (+1400). 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 (+4000) and New York Rangers (+5000). Both have the ability to make runs in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The choice is yours and yours alone. But we are here to guide through this difficult process. Again this is for entertainment purposes only. Nothing guaranteed, and please enjoy responsibly.
Main Photo:
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