The Tampa Bay Lightning (24-6-2) are at the top of the latest Stanley Cup odds and rightfully so, seeing as how they’ve looked like the best team in hockey, for the most part, all season long. However, it’s a long season and Tampa Bay will be challenged by a handful of other title contenders before all is said and done.
Thankfully, this look at the handful of teams that look like they’re going to be legitimate title contenders all season long will give you the expert insight you’ll need in order to maximize your chances of cashing in on your season-long Stanley Cup future odds wager.
Left winger Filip Forsberg has 15 goals and 17 assists while an insane seven other Predators have scored at least 20 points. Oh, and goalie Pekka Rinne (2.25 GAA) is playing extremely well.
Updated Stanley Cup Odds to Win – December 19th Edition
When you’re hot, you’re hot. And this kid’s on fire.
Brayden Point is our @orangetheory Player of the Week for Dec. 11-17. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/aEj85JCwng — Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) 18 de diciembre de 2017
Top Contenders Stanley Cup Odds
- Tampa Bay Lightning: 7/1
- Columbus Blue Jackets: 8/1
- Toronto Maple Leafs: 8/1
- St. Louis Blues: 10/1
- Los Angeles Kings: 12/1
- Nashville Predators: 12/1
- Washington Capitals: 12/1
- Boston Bruins: 16/1
- Pittsburgh Penguins: 16/1
- Chicago Blackhawks: 20/1
- Dallas Stars: 20/1
- New Jersey Devils: 20/1
- New York Rangers: 20/1
- Vegas Golden Knights: 20/1
Expert Analysis
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay is ranked first in scoring (3.8 gpg) and a stellar third in goals allowed (2.5 gpg) as right winger Nikita Kucherov (23 G, 23 A) and center Steven Stamkos (43 Pts) have pretty much gone bonkers this season, not to mention the fact that four more centers have all scored between 8-14 goals. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy is playing lights out at the other end of the ice (2.11 GAA) making the Lightning the clear-cut favorites right now for a reason.Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus (20-13-1) is the No. 2 pick on the board, but they clearly shouldn’t be right now. The Blue Jackets rank an uninspiring 22nd in scoring (2.8 gpg) and although they are ranked seventh in goals allowed (2.7 gpg), unless they improve their ability to light the lamp moving forward, they won’t come close to living up to their Stanley Cup odds.Toronto Maple Leafs
Despite having an identical record as Columbus right now, for me, Toronto (20-13-1) looks like a much better pick at 8/1 Stanley Cup Odds seeing as how they’re ranked eighth in scoring (3.1 gpg) and a solid 12th in goals allowed (2.8 gpg). The Maple Leafs are ranked fifth in shutouts (4), ninth in power play success (20.6%) and eighth in faceoff winning percentage (51.3 %). Six players have tallied at least 20 points, so Toronto has plenty of balance right now.St. Louis Blues
St. Louis (22-11-2) looking like a very legitimate title contender right now, thanks mostly to the contributions of center Brayden Schenn (38 pts). The Blues rank a healthy 13th in scoring (3.0 gpg) and even more impressive fourth in goals allowed (2.5 gpg). Left winger Jaden Schwartz and right-winger Vladimir Tarasenko both have an identical 35 points to give the Blues one of the most potent top lines in all hockey!Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles (21-10-4) is looking good as a 12/1 pick right now. The Kings are ranked an encouraging 12th in scoring (3.0 gpg), but the reason they’re looking really good right now is that of their league-leading in goals allowed (2.3 gpg). L.A. ranks first in penalty killing (86.6%), sixth in shutouts (3) and 15th in shots allowed per game (31.6). Center Anze Kopitar has 17 goals and 22 assists and five other players have tallied at least 20 points, not to mention, goalie Jonathan Quick is playing fantastic in net (2.28 GAA).Nashville Predators
Nashville (21-7-4) has the look of a team that could easily make their second straight Stanley Cup Finals and this time, fulfill their fantastic 12/1 odds. The Predators are ranked a stellar fourth in scoring (3.3 gpg) and equally impressive fifth in goals allowed (2.6 gpg). Nashville is also ranked first in faceoff winning percentage (52.8%), fourth in penalty killing and third in shutouts.
Left winger Filip Forsberg has 15 goals and 17 assists while an insane seven other Predators have scored at least 20 points. Oh, and goalie Pekka Rinne (2.25 GAA) is playing extremely well.
Washington Capitals
I know Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals (21-12-1) have let me down in two straight postseasons, but the third time could be the charm right? The Caps are ranked 10th in scoring (3.1 gpg) and 16th in goals allowed (2.9 gpg) and Ovechkin is playing like an ageless wonder with a whopping 23 goals and 14 assists. Goalie Braden Holtby (2.63 GAA) hasn’t been lights out, but he has come up big on several occasions this season when the Caps aren’t simply outscoring their opponents. Maybe it’s me, but I still have hope in Ovie and company!Pittsburgh Penguins
I’m going to skip Boston and get right to the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins (17-15-2) by saying that there’s no way Sidney Crosby and company win three straight this season! Pittsburgh is ranked a modest 16th in scoring (2.9 gpg) and an unsightly 23rd in goals allowed (3.2 gpg). While Phil Kessel is playing arguably the best hockey of his fine career and both Crosby (33 points) and Evgeni Malkin (31 points) are both having fine seasons, the Pens are clearly missing something from their last two title-winning teams. Maybe it’s me, but I maintain they should have never exposed goalie Marc Andre-Fleury to the expansion draft.Las Vegas Golden Knights
Speaking of the NHL expansion, I absolutely love the way the first-year Vegas Knights (21-9) have taken everyone leftovers to become one of the best teams in all hockey so far this season. Despite ranking an underwhelming 20th in goals allowed (3.0 gpg), Vegas also ranks a stellar third in scoring (3.4 gpg). Five players have scored at least 20 points for the Knights while four have reached double figures in goal scoring. All three of the Knights’ goalies have a GAA of 2.30 or less, making Vegas my top longshot to host this season’s Stanley Cup Trophy.Stanley Cup Odds for the Rest
- Anaheim Ducks: 25/1
- Calgary Flames: 25/1
- Minnesota Wild: 25/1
- New York Islanders: 25/1
- San Jose Sharks: 25/1
- Winnipeg Jets: 25/1
- Edmonton Oilers: 40/1
- Montreal Canadiens: 40/1
- Vancouver Canucks: 50/1
- Carolina Hurricanes: 66/1
- Philadelphia Flyers: 66/1
- Colorado Avalanche: 80/1
- Ottawa Senators: 80/1
- Detroit Red Wings: 125/1
- Florida Panthers: 125/1
- Buffalo Sabres: 500/1
- Arizona Coyotes: 1000/1
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
