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It's hard to know what to expect when the NHL returns after a nearly five-month break, but it sure feels great to be betting on hockey again.
With so much uncertainty and a deeper than usual field, it's best to avoid the top chalk when picking a Stanley Cup champion.
Led by Cup favorites the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning, here's a look at the full oddsboard.
| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Boston Bruins | +400 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +400 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | +700 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +800 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +800 |
| Washington Capitals | +900 |
| St. Louis Blues | +1000 |
| Dallas Stars | +1200 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | +1500 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +1500 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +2200 |
| Calgary Flames | +3000 |
| Vancouver Canucks | +3000 |
| Minnesota Wild | +3500 |
| Arizona Coyotes | +4000 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +4000 |
| Nashville Predators | +4000 |
| New York Islanders | +4000 |
| New York Rangers | +4000 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | +6000 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +6000 |
| Florida Panthers | +6000 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +6000 |
| Montreal Canadiens | +12500 |
Vegas Golden Knights (+800)
The Golden Knights were on an 11-2 run and cruising to the top of the Pacific Division when the season was suspended. It wasn't just a fluky hot streak, but a run that was coming for some time.
The Knights were the NHL's best team in shots for percentage and expected goals for percentage. They were also generating more scoring chances per 60 minutes than any other club. What held this team back was poor puck luck - evidenced by a 9.14 shooting percentage, well below league average - and uncharacteristically poor goaltending - 25th in the league in save percentage.
The deadline acquisition of Robin Lehner solidifies Vegas between the pipes. It offers a terrific insurance policy if Marc-Andre Fleury doesn't live up to his stellar postseason resume. Everything was coming together for the Knights before the pause and they're primed for a legitimate Cup run with improved goaltending.
Carolina Hurricanes (+4000)
The Hurricanes are the only team in the East that measures up to Vegas' statistical dominance. Carolina, however, isn't priced accordingly. The Canes led the NHL in Corsi For rating, expected goals for per 60 minutes, and high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes. Carolina was also second in shots for percentage and third in expected goals for percentage, just a hair behind Vegas in both categories. As a kicker, the Canes have the fourth-best penalty kill and eighth-ranked power play.
This forward group is loaded with talent and led by young stars Sebastian Aho, Teuvo Teravainen, and Andrei Svechnikov. To top it off, no team in the NHL is better or deeper on the blue line. Headlined by one of the league's top pairings in Dougie Hamilton and Jaccob Slavin, the Canes have six outstanding options to fill the bottom four, including deadline additions Brady Skjei and Sami Vatanen.
Their terrific depth on the back end will help them absorb the losses of Hamilton and Brett Pesce, both of whom are slated to miss the play-in series with the New York Rangers due to injury. However, they will be back to solidify the league's top blue line should the Canes progress.
Petr Mrazek and James Reimer weren't particularly great this season, but goaltending can be streaky, and they both possess the skills to get hot. If they can do that, then Carolina can beat anyone given the quality and depth of this roster.
Columbus Blue Jackets (+6000)
Coach John Tortorella has built Columbus for the playoffs. The Blue Jackets are four lines deep, block shots, hit everything in sight, and wear teams down with an aggressive forecheck. Columbus was eighth in the NHL in points percentage and first in five-on-five SV% when top defender Seth Jones was hurt on Feb. 8.
The Jackets are aided by a strong blue line and terrific goaltending tandem. Goaltenders Elvis Merzlikins and Joonas Korpisalo are capable of taking this team far. The Jackets had the fewest expected goals against per 60 minutes in the regular season.
Their issue was scoring, but they were plagued with injuries and no club had more man games lost than Columbus this season. Oliver Bjorkstrand, Cam Atkinson, Alexander Texier, and Josh Anderson will all be back from injury. Opponents should fear the Blue Jackets if they can find a scoring touch to go with their lights-out defensive play.
(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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