With an 82-game season, the NHL is a long hard slog for every single team in the league. With that in mind, it’s no real surprise that the Stanley Cup betting odds are in a constant state of flux. Teams that were heavily favored at the start of the season may see their odds tumble as the season progresses, while medium-priced longshots start to see their odds shorten. We are about a quarter of the way through the season, and the odds that are available now are likely to change dramatically in the coming weeks and months. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t look at where they are now, and perhaps make a prediction or two along the way.

Here’s A Closer Look At The Updated NHL Stanley Cup Betting Odds

The Current NHL Stanley Cup Favorites

There is a little bit of a logjam at the top of the betting odds, with 4 teams locked close together. The Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals are joint favorites at 7-1, while the Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins are right behind them at 8-1. Those are decent odds for some very good teams, but which of that four can win it all?I would immediately dismiss the Caps, as their playoff pedigree is not particularly solid. The Lightning have come close in recent years, and could go deep again. The Blackhawks and Penguins both have recent Stanley Cups to their name, and I think that the current champions are the team best suited to repeat.

The Smart Pick to Win the Stanley Cup

I’m not entirely sure that you can call any pick a smart one at this early stage of the season, as there is still a lot of things that can happen to all the favorites. Injuries and losing streaks are basically assured for everyone, and it’s how a team deals with that which will decide how far they go.Repeating in the modern game is tough, which means that the Penguins are in for a battle. The Lightning made it to the final a couple of seasons back, and had another good run last year despite being crippled by injuries. They look like a very balanced team, and if they can avoid the injury bug this season, they may just be the smart pick.

A Longshot Pick For The Stanley Cup

If you are into the idea of taking a flyer on a real longshot to win it all, then there are certainly some good choices at your disposal. The Montreal Canadiens, currently listed at 12-1, have Carey Price between the pipes, which means they always have a shot to win. The Canadiens are in a rough patch after a great start, but I believe they will bounce back. My pick in the longshot category would be the New York Rangers. They are sitting at 25-1 now, which I believe is a fantastic price. They are about as explosive as it gets offensively, but they are also sitting just outside the top 10 in goals against. They are definitely a team to watch.