Odds to Win the Stanley Cup
The Capitals (+400 at Sportsbook.com) have the lowest odds to win the Stanley Cup out of all the Eastern Conference teams. The Caps are running away with the Southeast Division and they are currently the highest scoring team in the league. Alex Ovechkin ranks in the top 5 in the league in both assists and goals. The Caps will have to score in the post-season since their defense is just mediocre.
The Blackhawks (+400) is running away with the Central Division and they are solid on both sides of the ice ranking in the top 5 in the league in scoring and goals allowed.
Can the Sharks (+450) win in the playoffs? That is the big question in San Jose. The Sharks rank 2nd in goals scored per game and their defense is solid led by G Evgeni Nabokov, who ranks in the top 5 in the NHL in save percentage, GAA, and wins. However, the Sharks have been one of the best teams in the regular season for the past few seasons, but they have not advanced past the Western Conference semifinals since 2004.
After a tough start to the season the Penguins (+500) have gotten back on track and the defending champion are right on the heels of the New Jersey Devils in the Atlantic Division. Pittsburgh ranks 5th in the league in scoring and superstar Sidney Crosby ranks in the top 3 in the league in goals and points. However, the Penguins do not have a great defense, as they have given up an average of around 2.8 goals per game this season.
The Canucks (+1000) are currently one of the hottest teams in the league and they recently overtook 1st place in the Northwest Division. Vancouver ranks 3rd in goals scored and their D is solid.
The Devils (+1000) have, perhaps, the best defense in the league and G Martin Brodeur leads the league in wins and ranks in the top 5 in GAA. However, New Jersey will have to win with their defense, as their offense only ranks 19th in goals scored per game.
The Sabres lead the Northeast Division and one of the main reasons that Buffalo is winning is the play of G Ryan Miller, who currently ranks 1st in the league in both save percentage and GAA.
The defending Western Conference champion Red Wings (+1500) are not the Wings of old, as their offense has struggled only ranking 26th in the league. However, their D has saved them and G Jimmy Howard is having a great season. In the beginning of February the Red Wings are currently tied with the Calgary Flames (+4000) for the 8th and final playoff spot in the West.
Other teams that are in the playoff race are the Flyers (+2500) and Senators (+3000) and a slew of other teams at +4000 including the Rangers, Flames, Coyotes, Bruins, Kings, and Avalanche.
Here are the odds at Sportsbook.com. as of February 3, 2010.
- Washington Capitals +400
- Chicago Blackhawks +400
- San Jose Sharks +450
- Pittsburgh Penguins +500
- Vancouver Canucks +1000
- New Jersey Devils +1000
- Buffalo Sabres +1000
- Detroit Red Wings +1500
- Philadelphia Flyers +2500
- Ottawa Senators +3000
- New York Rangers +4000
- Phoenix Coyotes +4000
- Calgary Flames +4000
- Boston Bruins +4000
- Los Angeles Kings +4000
- Colorado Avalanche +4000
- Nashville Predators +5000
- Montreal Canadiens +5000
- Anaheim Ducks +6000
- Florida Panthers +10000
- St Louis Blues +10000
- Dallas Stars +10000
- Minnesota Wild +10000
- Tampa Bay Lightning +10000
- Atlanta Thrashers +20000
- Toronto Maple Leafs +25000
- New York Islanders +30000
- Carolina Hurricanes +30000
- Edmonton Oilers +50000
- Columbus Blue Jackets +50000
Future Betting Odds
NHL Handicapping
Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins 5-17
The Boston Bruins need to play much better in game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Bruins lost the opener 5-2 at home and can ill-afford to fall behind 2-0 to Lightning. Tampa Bay are on quite a roll, winning their last eight in a row in the playoffs. The oddsmaker at Bodog have the Bruins as a -145 favorite to even-up the series.