With the Tampa Bay Lightning clinching the Stanley Cup just a few weeks ago, there’s already been movement as teams begin to prepare for the new season getting underway on January 1, 2021.
There’s been a few months of delays due to the pandemic but excitement is already building and the sportsbooks are starting to offer their outright odds on the 2021 winner.
It’s the perfect time to start placing your bets, with plenty of bookies now allowing you to place your bets. Betting on the NHL is simpler than ever before, and is a relatively easy concept to understand, with players putting money down on the winner, and if that team lifts the Stanley Cup, you will get the stake back and the profit. It’s as simple as that.
So, who are the favorites for the 2021 Stanley Cup?
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche finished second in the Western Conference last season but were defeated by Dallas in the Second Round of the playoffs in a game they were expected to come out on top in.
Left Wing Brandon Saad (#20) was traded by the Chicago Blackhawks to the Colorado Avalanche in a deal that bolsters the Avs’ chances
They were one of the teams to beat last year and most sportsbooks are pricing them as favorites at around +750 to get the job done this time around.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Golden Knights snagged Alex Pietrangelo from the free agent market on a long-term deal.
It’s certainly a close run with a number of teams though and the Vegas Golden Knights, who are in just their fourth season are not far behind them with the oddsmakers at +800. They made it all the way to the Conference Finals last season and are continuing to progress, which could make them a side to be reckoned with for 2020/21.
Cody Glass is expected to have a breakout year next year which will certainly improve the side considerably, while the NHL is definitely proving a more competitive league with them in it.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Of course, there’s no reason why the Lightning can’t take the confidence from this season and enjoy another run in 2020/21. They were somewhat outsiders, having finished behind the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference last term, but were impressive right throughout the postseason to get the job done with a 4-2 win over the Dallas Stars.
They can be backed at +900 with most sportsbooks for a win this time round, in what would be the Florida side’s third Stanley Cup trophy.
They have had a real quiet offseason so far which is perhaps worrying for some fans, while the complacency that comes with winning the previous season may also be something to be aware of.
Boston Bruins
We fancy the Bruins to come back strongly in 2020/21 after that 4-1 defeat to Tampa Bay in the Second Round of the playoffs.
They looked incredibly strong all last season, winning more games than any other side in the NHL. They lost just 14 of their 70 outings and we can bet that their record will be just as impeccable this time around. They are looking at a number of deals to strengthen in the offseason and at +1300 they’d get our bet on the Stanley Cup.
They haven’t won that since back in 2011, despite having won countless division championships and conference championships since then. They’re due, and the upcoming season could be just the time to do it.
Elsewhere, a number of people are tipping the Philadelphia Flyers to have a strong season, while the Maple Leafs have the best chance of the Canadian outfits, with sportsbook pricing them around the +1600 mark.
St Louis Blues may prove to be the dark horse, but a NHL Championship win is probably just beyond them currently.
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