It feels like the 2018/19 NHL season has just begun, but with 20 games played by most teams (at the time of writing), we are nearly one quarter of the way through the regular season. Pundits and fans will have a sense of how a team is faring, but sportsbooks might have an entirely different view of how a team is positioned and, more importantly, where they expect to be a few months from now.
Below, we are going to take a look at some teams whose seasons are right in line with what the odds say, others who have been doing well but still given big odds, and a few who look like they have improvements to make. Indeed, it’s worth remembering that neither the Stanley Cup winners Washington, nor the runners up Las Vegas, were given much backing in the odds this time last year, so things could change dramatically between now and May.
Teams on the Money so Far
Everyone expected Tampa Bay and Nashville to pick up from where they left off last season, and they have done just that, joining Toronto in posting 14 wins so far. The trio lead the Stanley Cup betting odds with Bet365, with Toronto at 4/1, Tampa Bay at 11/2
Goalie Pekka Rinne (#35),Defenseman P.K. Subban (#76) and Left Wing Viktor Arvidsson (#33) of the Nashville Predators – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
and Nashville at 7/1. It’s worth noting that some sportsbook will disagree on those odds, but it’s clear that the top teams are more or less going as expected. Other teams who are going as the bookies expected include: the Bruins, who are given a decent price of 14/1 by 10Bet and Bet365, but are a lot lower elsewhere; Winnipeg, who have stuttered a little, are given odds of around 10/1 by most sportsbooks including William Hill.
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Teams Predicted to Fall Back
Minnesota and Columbus both have had very good starts to the season, yet they find themselves given relatively big odds at this point. You can find a price of 25/1 for Wild with Unibet, which isn’t bad for a team that seems to be striking a nice balance between wins on the road and wins at home. Columbus, who have actually been better away
Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (#72) of the Columbus Blue Jackets – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
from Nationwide Stadium, are priced slightly better at 28/1 with Sportingbet. Will the pair fall continue to fall away in the odds? There are now options to live stream sports on mobile through bookmakers’ sites, so you can keep an eye on the action and the markets all at once.
Teams Predicted to Improve
Most NHL fans are aware that last season Stanley Cup finalists are finding it difficult to get back into their groove this term. The champions, Capitals, are still given odds of 23/2 by Unibet, but there will have to be a marked improvement on that 9-7-3 record
Las Vegas Golden Knights Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (#29) looks to the boards for the puck as Right Wing Dale Weise (#22) of the Philadelphia Flyers and Defenseman Colin Miller (#6) of the Las Vegas Golden Knights battle for position. – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
soon or those odds will tumble. Vegas, meanwhile, are the complete opposite of last season, finding themselves with the second-worst record in NHL. Amazingly, they are still backed at 8/1 with Sportingbet to win the Stanley Cup Finals in 2019. You should never rule out anyone in sports, but those odds will only tempt the most ardent Golden Knights fans.
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