As the puck is set to drop on the NHL season, the championship odds provide a glimpse of how competitive this year may be. Several teams sit bunched near the top, with little separating them from the pack. In other words, it’s anyone’s game, and for bettors who love futures plays, this field is especially tough.
The opening odds favored the Florida Panthers to three-peat as champions. Can Florida win a third straight Cup? That hasn’t been done since the New York Islanders in 1982. The Panthers opened at +650 but have since drifted to +750. This week’s tough news came when captain Aleksander Barkov went down for the season, though much of the line movement reflects heavy betting on other contenders.
Dallas is one of those teams, currently sitting at +850, with the Carolina Hurricanes right behind them at +900.
The ever-dangerous Colorado Avalanche opened at +800, but the Edmonton Oilers, who lost in the Final each of the past two years, have surged to the top at +650. Much of that action is believed to come from Canadian bettors hopeful that Connor McDavid finally lifts the Cup.
Locally, the Rangers can be had at +3000, good for 13th-best odds. In a weakened conference, some believe they could make a deep run. The Islanders, however, face a steeper climb with their odds sitting at +6600.
Odds for all teams:
Edmonton: +650
Florida: +750
Colorado: +800
Dallas: +850
Carolina: +900
Vegas: +1200
Tampa Bay: +1500
New Jersey: +1800
Los Angeles: +2000
Toronto Maple: +2000
Winnipeg: +2200
Washington: +2800
Rangers: +3000
Ottawa: +3300
Minnesota: +3500
St. Louis: +4000
Utah: +4000
Vancouver: +5000
Islanders: +6600
Columbus: +8000
Montreal: +8000
Calgary: +9000
Nashville: +9000
Boston: +10000
Detroit: +10000
Philadelphia: +10000
Anaheim: +15000
Buffalo: +15000
Pittsburgh: +20000
Seattle: +30000
Chicago: +50000
San Jose: +50000