NHL betting - Stanley Cup futures
Sportsbook odds - Stanley Cup futures: Red Wings threatening to repeat
- Sharks a possibility in the West
- Blackhawks and Oilers are intriguing underdogs
- Habs offer great value
After one of the wildest off-seasons in recent memory—we have the salary cap to thank for that—the state of Stanley Cup futures has been altered significantly.
Former bottom-feeders such as the Chicago Blackhawks (+1500 Stanley Cup odds) and Edmonton Oilers (+3000 online betting odds) have suddenly popped up in playoff conversations thanks to key acquisitions over the summer, including Brian Campbell and Erik Cole, respectively. If you’re feeling lucky, these two are the prime underdog 2009 Stanley Cup picks.
Ironically, though, in the crazy world of cap management, the team that’s changed the least is favored in NHL futures. The defending champion Detroit Red Wings lead the pack at +300 to repeat and your online sportsbook is justified in believing so.
Motown benefits greatly from the division it plays in, racking up win after win over the lowly Nashville Predators, Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues. Once again, the Winged Wheel should roll into the playoffs fresh and confident and, with the addition of sniper Marian Hossa, Detroit can now split up Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg and have three scoring lines on their depth chart.
If that Stanley Cup futures betting payout doesn’t sound appealing and you want to take a risk, why not sprinkle on the San Jose Sharks at a cool +1000? With a new coach and mostly the same potent lineup, the Sharks seem like the only other legitimate candidate to capture Lord Stanley in the West.
Youngsters like Ryan Clowe and Patrick Rissmiller are emerging as a solid supporting cast for Joe Thornton and Milan Michalek, and a new face behind the bench may be all the Sharks need to turn the corner. Plus, as long as perennial Vezina candidate Evgeni Nabokov is between the pipes, San Jose will be in the championship picture.
Bettors beware if you’re thinking of taking the star-studded Pittsburgh Penguins as part of your NHL futures picks. As I mentioned in my last column about NHL Eastern Conference futures, the past 11 Cup final runners-up have combined to win just one playoff round.
Sometimes trends in sports are unexplainable and this is one of them. The Pens have all the talent in the world, with the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, but I wouldn’t bet against history here!
The best value in Stanley Cup odds is also the favorite in Eastern Conference futures—the Montreal Canadiens. “Les Habitants” figure to be the class of the East once again, as young netminder Carey Price continue maturing and veteran sniper Robert Lang comes to town and adds to an already lethal offense.
DON’S PICK: In their hundredth season in the league, Montreal comes in at +1200 odds, a very inviting line considering their talent and success from a year ago. Bet on the Canadiens to win it all.
Visit the BetOnline.com Sportsbook for all your hockey props, odds and lines. Be sure to check out the Bettor's Edge daily for more tips and insight into Stanley Cup futures, NHL betting odds and more.
Who better to offer great sports betting and hockey tips than a native Canadian? Like any good Canuck, Don Melrose eats, sleeps, breathes and bets hockey, making him the perfect NHL handicapper. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
