NHL Betting – Stanley Cup futures odds/predictions
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Sportsbook bettors probably feel like they were just wagering on Game 7 between Detroit and Pittsburgh last week but, believe it or not, that was over three months ago. The NHL is back and it’s time to break down the top five favorites to win the Stanley Cup. Who will disappoint? Who will surprise? Who will raise Lord Stanley’s mug?
Detroit Red Wings
Stanley Cup odds: +450
BOOM: We know what we get with Detroit – an incredibly deep group of forwards who play well at both ends of the ice, including the two best defensive forwards in the sport in Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. The power play is phenomenal too.
BUST: Can Valtteri Filppula and Todd Bertuzzi replace Marian Hossa and Jiri Hudler as top-six forwards? Is this the year Chris Osgood finally implodes?
Pittsburgh Penguins
Stanley Cup odds: +500
BOOM: it’s clear now that Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby will make the Penguins a contender every year as long as they’re teammates. They lead the scoring while Pittsburgh’s unsung forecheckers soften up opposing defenses and Marc-Andre Fleury comes up big with saves in the clutch.
BUST: Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski have to elevate their defensive games after Stanley Cup heroes Hal Gill and Rob Scuderi left town.
San Jose Sharks
Stanley Cup odds: +700
BOOM: How big will Dany Heatley’s impact be? The thought of him joining Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Dan Boyle and Rob Blake on the power play is terrifying. The Sharks can score and prevent other teams from scoring as well as anyone.
BUST: Evgeni Nabokov may not be a big-game goalie; he choked in the playoffs last year. Then again, so did the whole team. What if losing is just ingrained in the Sharks’ minds forever?
Chicago Blackhawks
Stanley Cup odds: +800
BOOM: There’s oh-so much to like about this deep, talented roster. The Hawks have a potent offense led by Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and eventually Marian Hossa. Their “D,” featuring Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Cam Barker and Brian Campbell, is the envy of the league.
BUST: it’s all up to Cristobal Huet. The Hawks hope he can be a No. 1 guy; if he isn’t, Chicago won’t win the Cup unless they acquire help in net.
Boston Bruins
Stanley Cup odds: +900
BOOM: The Bruins are monsters up front, bludgeoning defensemen on the forecheck with massive wingers Milan Lucic, Blake Wheeler and Michael Ryder. Marc Savard, David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron give them great center depth, too. Based on awards, the Bruins have the game’s best goalie and defenseman from a year ago in Tim Thomas and Zdeno Chara.
BUST: After Chara and blossoming Dennis Wideman, the Bruins aren’t too deep on defense. They also lack a truly elite sniper with Phil Kessel Toronto-bound, though Wheeler has the talent to grow into that role as early as this season.
2009-10 Stanley Cup pick
Some betting services would rather go off this top-five and take a chance on Vancouver (+2000), New Jersey (+2000) or Washington (+1000). But I’m sticking to the core group listed above.
Pondering the Patriots’ NFL week 4 odds, I can’t help but shake my head. The city of Boston has enjoyed some dominant franchises over the last decade; talk about a lucky city. But the Patriots, Red Sox and Celtics are all possibly on the decline. It’s the Bruins’ time to complete the loop. They’re big, young, fast and defensively sound. They can also acquire defensive help at the trade deadline. The Bruins will win the Stanley Cup.
