2017 Stanley Cup Betting Odds

In this writer’s humble opinion, the Stanley Cup playoffs are the best postseason in American sports. Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats a Game 7 in the NHL’s postseason. The 16-team tournament gets underway with five conference finals games on Wednesday. Here are the Stanley Cup odds for every team in alphabetical order and a comment.

2017 Stanley Cup Betting Odds

Anaheim Ducks (+1000)

The Ducks won the Pacific Division title again, but they flamed out of the playoffs last year after doing the same thing. That got coach Bruce Boudreau fired. Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf is red hot heading into the playoffs, with 27 points through 18 games in March and April.

Boston Bruins (+2300)

Boston first-year coach Bruce Cassidy, who replaced the fired Claude Julien on Feb. 7, has his team in the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. Top-four defenseman Torey Krug (lower body) will probably miss the entire first round, according to Bruins GM Don Sweeney.

Calgary Flames (+2000)

The Flames qualified for the postseason for the second time in three seasons. The bad news is the Flames are opening vs. the Anaheim Ducks. The Flames have lost 27 straight games at the Ducks’ Honda Center, which dates back to the 2006 playoffs.

Chicago Blackhawks (+400)

The Hawks are the West’s top seed and looking for a fourth Stanley Cup this decade. The Blackhawks had seven rookies combine for 105 points on the way to leading the Western Conference with 109 points, the second-highest point total in their 90 seasons.

Columbus Blue Jackets (+580)

Earlier this season, the Jackets, who are in the playoffs for only the third time, had a 16-game winning streak – one shy of the league record. Defenseman Zach Werenski (upper body) skated at Tuesday’s practice He was paired with Seth Jones during the session and appears to be ready to return from an upper-body injury.

Edmonton Oilers (+1000)

This team is arguably the story of the playoffs as Edmonton is in for the first time since 2006 behind Art Ross Trophy winner Connor McDavid, who also likely will win the Hart Trophy as league MVP.

Nashville Predators (+2300)

The Predators have qualified for the playoffs the past three seasons but never have been past the second round in nine previous trips. Winger Colin Wilson didn’t practice on Tuesday because of a lower-body injury. It’s unclear if he will be ready to play on Thursday in Game 1 vs. Chicago.

New York Rangers (+1000)

The Rangers qualified as the first wild card into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference. The Blueshirts open against Montreal, a team that New York eliminated in six games in their last playoff meeting in 2014.

Ottawa Senators (+1600)

The Senators return to the postseason under first-year coach Guy Boucher after failing to qualify last season. They are led by two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson. Winger Zack Smith (upper body) will be available for Game 1 vs. Boston. Smith had 16 goals, 32 points, and 61 penalty minutes in 74 regular season games. He missed the last six contests due to the injury.

Pittsburgh Penguins (+550)

On paper it looks like the Penguins have as good a chance as any team since 1998 to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. But since the Detroit Red Wings won back-to- back championships in 1997 and 1998, only three teams have returned to the Final the year after winning the Cup. None repeated.

San Jose Sharks (+1400)

Injured Sharks centers Logan Couture and Joe Thornton each practiced Monday but remain day-to- day. The Sharks play Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round series against the Edmonton Oilers. Couture went through an entire practice Monday for the first time since being hit in the mouth by a deflected puck on March 25 against the Nashville Predators.

St. Louis Blues (+1800)

The Blues have qualified for the playoffs six seasons in a row, but for the first time under coach Mike Yeo, who previously was the coach of the Wild, the team’s first-round opponent. Last season the Blues reached the Western Conference Final and last season reached the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2001.

Toronto Maple Leafs (+2300)

The Maple Leafs are in the postseason for the first time since 2013, and the second time since 2004. They are led by rookie Auston Matthews, a lock to win the Calder Trophy. He had 40 goals this season.

Washington Capitals (+350)

The Capitals won the Metropolitan Division and Presidents’ Trophy for the second straight season. But the team has yet to advance to a conference finals with superstar Alex Ovechkin. Last year, the Caps lost in the East semis to Pittsburgh.