After a three-month hiatus, the NHL is finally back. The preseason got underway on Sept.14, and 2013-2014 regular season games are scheduled to begin on Oct.1.
Last year ended with the Chicago Blackhawks as the Stanley Cup champions for the second time since 2010. They enter this season as the favorites to win it all in 2014. According to Bodog, they have the best betting odds of winning the trophy.
Chicago’s run in the playoffs was no fluke. It took them 25 games in 2013 to pick up their first loss in regulation and their 77 points were the best in hockey. However, it won’t be easy for them to repeat. They are the only team to win two Stanley Cups in the salary cap era and there hasn’t been a back-to-back champion since the Detroit Red Wings did it in 1997 and 1998.
The Pittsburgh Penguins failed to make the Finals last season, but they are the favorites to challenge the Blackhawks from the Eastern Conference. At 15/2, they come in No.2 to the Blackhawks and their 6/1 odds. Pittsburgh’s explosive offense led them to the best record in the East, but they were unable to keep up that pace in the Conference Finals.
The Boston Bruins were the reason why Pittsburgh’s title hopes were cut short. They swept the No.1 seed on their way to the Stanley Cup Finals. Boston is predicted to be the Penguins biggest obstacle in their quest to win the championship.
With 150/1 odds, not much is expected to change for the NHL’s worst team from a year ago. The Florida Panthers have the worst odds after registering a league-low 36 points. The Calgary Flames and Buffalo Sabres aren’t far behind at 100/1.
Eleven teams finished the 2013 season with more points than the Detroit Red Wings, but the club could be ready for a bounce-back year. Only the Blackhawks, Penguins, Bruins, Kings and Blues are ranked higher two weeks before the start of the upcoming season. They are coming off a seventh place finish in the Western Conference.
Below are the complete betting odds for the 2014 Stanley Cup.
Chicago Blackhawks 6/1
Pittsburgh Penguins 15/2
Boston Bruins 10/1
Los Angeles Kings 12/1
St. Louis Blues 12/1
Detroit Red Wings 16/1
Vancouver Canucks 16/1
San Jose Sharks 18/1
Minnesota Wild 20/1
New York Rangers 20/1
Anaheim Ducks 22/1
Edmonton Oilers 22/1
Ottawa Senators 22/1
Philadelphia Flyers 22/1
Toronto Maple Leafs 25/1
Washington Capitals 25/1
Montreal Canadiens 28/1
New York Islanders 33/1
Carolina Hurricanes 40/1
Colorado Avalanche 40/1
Columbus Blue Jackets 40/1
Dallas Stars 40/1
Nashville Predators 50/1
New Jersey Devils 50/1
Tampa Bay Lightning 50/1
Winnipeg Jets 50/1
Phoenix Coyotes 66/1
Buffalo Sabres 100/1
Calgary Flames 100/1
Florida Panthers 150/1
NHL Betting Odds: Blackhawks, Penguins, Bruins, Kings, And Blues Favorites In 2013-2014 Season As Hockey Preseason Begins
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