Updated Stanley Cup Betting Odds – February 20th Edition

With the 2017-18 NHL regular season three-fourths complete and teams in both conference gearing up for what looks like a lively postseason, now is a perfect time to take a look at the most recent 2018 Stanley Cup betting odds. This expert looks at the top favorites and contenders to win it all this season will show that ‘it’s real in the field’ NHL betting enthusiasts. With that said, let’s get down to business.

Updated Stanley Cup Betting Odds – February 20th Edition

Tough news for the @NHLFlyers: @Simmonds17 is out two to three weeks with an upper-body injury. https://t.co/rEoL4F5DKr

— NHL (@NHL) 20 de febrero de 2018

The Favorites

Tampa Bay Lightning

• Stanley Cup Betting Odds: 6/1

Tampa Bay (39-17-3) had been by far, the best team in all hockey all season until cooling off recently and getting surpassed for the best record in the league. Still, the Lightning leads the league in scoring (3.5 GPG) and rank an impressive seventh in goals allowed (2.7 GPG) making them one of the best picks to win the Stanley Cup this season.

Vegas Golden Knights

• Stanley Cup Betting Odds: 7/1

Believe it or not, the expansion Vegas Golden Knights (39-16-4) are the best team in all of hockey right now and a great pick to win it all despite being in their first year of existence. Vegas ranks second in scoring 93.4 GPG) and an encouraging ninth in goals allowed (2.7 GPG). The Knights have 13 of their final 24 games at home, where they’re 22-4-3. Only eight of those 24 games are against teams that are currently in playoff position. The Knights also have 13 games remaining against teams from the Pacific Division whom they’ve gone 14-1-1 thus far. Home-ice advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs looks like a virtual lock from where I’m sitting.

Boston Bruins

• Stanley Cup Betting Odds: 8/1

Boston (36-13-8) has picked up the pace in recent weeks and now looks like a very legitimate favorite in the East, seeing as how they rank a fantastic sixth in scoring (3.2 GPG) and first in goals allowed (2.4 GPG). Boston has won seven of 10 at the time of this writing and looks like they could beat anyone right now.

Nashville Predators

• Stanley Cup Betting Odds: 8/1

Nashville (35-14-9) has gotten hot at just the right time and now leads the Central division after trailing Winnipeg virtually all season long. The Predators rank 10th in scoring (3.1 GPG) and a stellar third in goals allowed (2.5 GPG) and looks like they could very well repeat as Western Conference champs this postseason.

Pittsburgh Penguins

• Stanley Cup Betting Odds: 8/1

Speaking of teams that have gotten hot at just the right time and it’s Sidney Crosby and the two-time defending champion Penguins (35-22-4). Pittsburgh has gone 8-1-1 over their last 10 at the time of this writing and ranks an encouraging seventh in scoring (3.2 GPG), even if they do rank just 17th in goals allowed (2.9 GPG).

Washington Capitals

• Stanley Cup Betting Odds: 12/1

Last but not least among the favorites in Metropolitan leading Washington (34-18-7). Alex Ovechkin and company have cooled off just a bit in recent weeks, but they’re still explosive offensively as they rank eighth in scoring (3.1 GPG). If they can improve their 20th ranked defense (3.0 GPG), they actually get past Pittsburgh this postseason, although right now, I’m guessing – not!

Top Contenders

• New Jersey Devils: 16/1
• Philadelphia Flyers: 16/1
• Toronto Maple Leafs: 16/1
• Winnipeg Jets: 16/1

New Jersey (31-20-8) is too flawed at the defensive end of the ice (22nd), but Philadelphia (30-19-10) and particularly, Toronto (36-20-5) and Winnipeg (35-15-9) all look quite capable of pulling off a playoff upset over some of the aforementioned favorites. Philly ranks 11th and 14th respective in scoring and defense. Toronto ranks a stellar fifth in scoring (3.3 GPG) and 12t in defense (2.8 GPG). Winnipeg is actually elite at both ends of the ice as they rank third in scoring (3.3 GPG) and sixth in goals allowed (2.6 GPG) and I believe they could very well beat almost any of the aforementioned teams that are listed as favorites.

Rest of the Field

• Dallas Stars: 20/1
• New York Islanders: 20/1
• St. Louis Blues: 20/1
• San Jose Sharks: 25/1
• Anaheim Ducks: 28/1
• Calgary Flames: 28/1
• Minnesota Wild: 28/1
• Los Angeles Kings: 33/1
• Colorado Avalanche: 40/1
• Columbus Blue Jackets: 40/1
• Carolina Hurricanes: 50/1
• Chicago Blackhawks: 50/1
• New York Rangers: 50/1
• Edmonton Oilers: 66/1
• Florida Panthers: 125/1
• Montreal Canadiens: 200/1
• Detroit Red Wings: 250/1
• Vancouver Canucks: 250/1
• Ottawa Senators: 500/1

Last 10 Stanley Cup Champions

• 2017: Pittsburgh Penguins
• 2016: Pittsburgh Penguins
• 2015: Chicago Blackhawks
• 2014: Los Angeles Kings
• 2013: Chicago Blackhawks
• 2012: Los Angeles Kings
• 2011: Boston Bruins
• 2010: Chicago Blackhawks
• 2009: Pittsburgh Penguins
• 2008: Detroit Red Wings