2020 Stanley Cup Odds/NHL Championship Odds: The Lightning Are Ready to Strike
This is the Tampa Bay Lightning’s year. No, really.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have been at the top of many lists regarding odds and chances to win the Stanley Cup – in not only this season, but the past several years as well. The Lightning haven’t been able to put it all together and strike for a Stanley Cup, but they are showing that this year is different.
The Lightning have been on an incredible run for nearly two months now and they are backstopped by one of the best goalies in the league. Their odds have come down in recent weeks, but are they still worth betting on?
Let’s take a look
2020 STANLEY CUP
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Tampa Bay Lightning (83 points in 59 games; Stanley Cup Odds/NHL Championship Odds: +500)
The Tampa Bay Lightning have won 10 games in a row and have not lost in regulation in over a month. Since January 16th, which was their last regulation loss, they are 11-0-1 and they have outscored their opponents 43-20 during that timeframe. That is incredibly impressive.
They have been solid defensively, allowing just one goal in four of their past five games. They have also allowed two goals or less in eight of their past 10 games.
A lot of that has to do with the man in net: Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Vasilevskiy has not lost in regulation in over two months, with his last regulation loss coming on December 14th against the Washington Capitals. He is 19-0-2 with a record-setting 21-game point streak. He has saved 560 of 599 shots against for a .935 save percentage.
Oh yeah, and Tampa’s 10-game winning streak has come without some of their key players in the lineup. This is a deep team that is only going to keep adding.
They added another scoring winger on Sunday by trading for Blake Coleman from the New Jersey Devils. They gave up a prospect and draft pick, but it’ll be worth it for them – and you – when they win it all.
The Lightning’s odds went down from +800 to +500 this week. Hopefully you bet on them before, but if not, get in while you still can at +500.
Stanley Cup Odds/NHL Championship Odds Longshots of the Week
Vegas Golden Knights (68 points in 60 games; Stanley Cup Odds/NHL Championship Odds: +1300)
The Golden Knights don’t have as high of a points total as some of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, but that just makes their path to the Stanley Cup Final that much easier.
Vegas hit a rut in the middle of the season that resulted in their coach being fired, but a coaching change should spark this team. They have a good group of forwards and defense that have made it to the Stanley Cup Final before, and they still have Marc-Andre Fleury in net.
Philadelphia Flyers (71 points in 59 games; Stanley Cup Odds/NHL Championship Odds: +3200)
The time is now to get on the Flyers bandwagon. They have great odds (for you) at +3200 and have impressed recently. They are 10-5-1 since January 8th with wins against some of the best teams in the league. They also haven’t lost back-to-back games in that span.
If you want a longshot in the race, take a flier on the Flyers at +3200.
