Stanley Cup odds update: Knights, Bolts leading the way
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With a couple days off from hockey to shed light on far more important issues, it's as good a time as any to revisit the Stanley Cup oddsboard.
Our last update came at the start of Round 1, but there's been plenty of movement since then with the field slashed in half.
| Team | Odds (8/28) | Odds (8/11) |
|---|---|---|
| Vegas Golden Knights | +300 | +550 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +340 | +800 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | +700 | +600 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +700 | +650 |
| Dallas Stars | +725 | +1600 |
| Boston Bruins | +800 | +900 |
| New York Islanders | +950 | +2200 |
| Vancouver Canucks | +1700 | +2600 |
No playoff team has controlled a greater share of expected goals - overall and five-on-five - in the bubble than the Knights, who have overwhelmed everyone they've faced thus far with talent and depth. If their goaltending holds up - Robin Lehner has been inconsistent at best in these playoffs - there may be no stopping this team.
Tampa Bay Lightning (+340)Anything longer than 3-1 is worth scooping up for this Lightning team, which has few, if any, weaknesses. As well as the Islanders are playing, and as dangerous as the Flyers can be, the Bruins are their toughest test to get out of the East. Tampa is passing with flying colors so far, but should it make the Stanley Cup Final, the services of Steven Stamkos will be required.
Philadelphia Flyers (+700)Since the playoffs began, we've seen nothing from the Flyers to suggest even contemplating buying in at these short odds. Carter Hart can steal games, and the talent is certainly there, but no team remaining in the playoffs has controlled a lower share of expected goals at five-on-five.
Colorado Avalanche (+700)Injuries are catching up to the Avalanche at the worst time. Philipp Grubauer and Erik Johnson are out for the foreseeable future, Matt Calvert remains unfit to play, and now Nikita Zadorov and Joonas Donskoi are day-to-day. This is a deep team loaded with talent, but at this stage of the season that's a lot of adversity to overcome. Trailing 2-1 in their series, with a real question mark in goal, +700 isn't long enough.
Dallas Stars (+725)Instead why not go with one of the league's hotter teams, who are leading their series, and close to full health? The Stars can defend as well as anyone, but the knock on them has always been scoring. Well, they've scored 28 goals in their last six games and are showing no signs of slowing down.
Boston Bruins (+800)This two-day pause - while much bigger than hockey - will do a lot of good for the Bruins, who were looking fatigued in a 7-1 loss to the Lightning in Game 3. Some rest could revive their chances to win this series, but it's asking a lot for Jaroslav Halak to carry the load in net for an extended run.
New York Islanders (+950)Few teams have played better hockey in the bubble than the Islanders, who are good value at the current price. They've allowed the lowest expected goals against per 60 minutes among all teams remaining in the playoffs and have the best five-on-five save percentage. Barry Trotz's fingerprints are all over this team and that's a very good thing.
Vancouver Canucks (+1700)The Canucks have done really well for themselves in these playoffs and continue to impress, but there's a cap on how far this team can really go. Even with Jacob Markstrom playing out of this world, this team doesn't have the depth needed to get by Vegas, then Colorado or Dallas, and likely Tampa.
(Odds source: theScore Bet)
Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.
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