The Vegas Golden Knights are the current holders of the trophy but can they make it back to back victories this year?
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There’s just over a month to go until the culmination of the NHL regular season, at which point everyone’s attention will turn to the Stanley Cup. The Vegas Golden Knights are the current holders of the trophy but can they make it back to back victories this year?
Or, will someone else get their hands on the trophy? To answer these questions and more, we’ve trawled through the latest Stanley Cup odds to profile the 5 teams most likely to be celebrating in June this year, read on to find out who they are.
Okay we can clear up one of the questions we raised in the introduction already; the Vegas Golden Knights aren’t going to win the Stanley Cup. At least that’s what the sportsbooks are saying. The New York Rangers are the fifth favourites to win the trophy and the Knights are way back in eighth, so any dreams Vegas had of going back to back will have to remain as dreams for now.
At the time of writing the fifth favourites – the New York Rangers – sit top of the Metropolitan Division with a record of 41-18 from their 63 games so far. If they are to go the distance and win the Stanley Cup they’ll have to fight for every last inch, but as we know, with Matt Rempe on their roster they’re more than at home in a fight!
The good people of Dallas have to have something to cheer about and in lieu of their football team offering them that opportunity, their NHL team have stepped to the fore. The Dallas Stars lead the way in the Central Division with a 40-17 record and sit four points ahead of the chasing Jets and Avalanche.
The Stars will be confident of remaining ahead of those teams thanks to their performances thus far this season, the experience of getting to the Western Conference finals last time out and the recent acquisition of Chris Tanev to bolster their back end.
They might be four points off the Stars in the Central Division but according to the sportsbooks, the Colorado Avalanche are more likely to win the Stanley Cup than their Dallas counterparts.
The double acquisition of Casey Mittelstadt and Sean Walker seems to have done the Avalanche the world of good both on the ice and in the betting odds. Their form at the Ball Arena this season must also have been a consideration for the odds makers as the Avalanche have been near unbeatable on their home patch.
Whilst we don’t want to influence you one way or another, we have to say that the Avalanche’s odds as third favourites seem incredibly enticing considering the quality and pedigree that they have on their roster.
When you think of the cold and ice your mind immediately starts drifting towards the sunshine state and the panthers doesn’t it? No? Well it might do come June because the Florida Panthers are very likely to finish the season with the Stanley Cup in their hands according to the bookmakers.
Unsurprisingly they find themselves top of the Atlantic Division with a 44-17 record from their 65 games so far and a Stanley Cup win would be their just reward for four years of steady improvement under Bill Zito.
The arrival of Vladimir Tarasenko who arrived in a swap deal from the Ottawa Senators is seen by many as the final piece of the puzzle for the Panthers as they seek to win their first ever Stanley Cup.
If you were to look at the NHL standings the Edmonton Oilers wouldn’t jump out as favourites to anyone. They currently find themselves 10 points off the pace in the Pacific Division with a record of 39-21 but, according to the bookmakers and those in the know, are the team most likely to win the Stanley Cup.
Why? Because they have the perfect blend of experience, talent and know-how when it comes to the end of season run-in. The recent additions of Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick have added sufficient scoring depth to the team too which could well be enough to see them over the line in the playoffs.
