Can Lightning Strike Again? 2020 Stanley Cup Odds/NHL Championship Odds
This is the Tampa Bay Lightning’s year. Just like it has been for the past several seasons. Are they for real this time? They are the odds-on favorite for the Stanley Cup and NHL Championship as the season rolls into February.
The Lightning are picking up steam as the season moves along. Let’s take a look at them as well as some of their most serious competition, and a few sleepers.
2020 STANLEY CUP
[table id=515 /]
Tampa Bay Lightning (63 points, Stanley Cup Odds: +700)
The Lightning are still the favorite to win the Stanley Cup and their odds have improved since last week. Previously, they were the favorites at +800. Now, their odds are down to +700 as bettors and oddsmakers take them more seriously.
However, the Lightning are still worth your money. The Lightning are 13-2-1 in their past 16 games and have an immense level of talent. That’s an amazing run that shows they have what it takes for the long haul.
Andrei Vasilevskiy is making a run for the Vezina Trophy in goal, while Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos are once again looking like one of the best offensive duos in the game. They also still have Victor Hedman on defense, who is still one of the best in the league.
Get on the Lightning train now before those odds shrink to +600 or +500, or even less.
St. Louis Blues (70 points, Stanley Cup Odds: +800)
The reigning Stanley Cup champions are once again looking like they can take home Lord Stanley. The St. Louis Blues brought back nearly their entire squad that won the Cup and they are showing why.
The Blues are tied for second place in the league, but they’re clearly the top dog in the Western Conference. They are eight points ahead of the second-place Avalanche, and 10 points ahead of the Dallas Stars in third place.
There are a handful of teams in the Eastern Conference that may take down the Lightning in the playoffs. However, the Blues should have a clearer path in a weak conference. They also will have home-ice advantage through the Conference Finals which will be crucial with their 17-4-4 home record this season.
The Blues are the cream of the crop in the Western Conference and are worth betting on at +800.
Longshot of the Week: Florida Panthers (61 points, Stanley Cup Odds: +2700)
The NHL All-Star Game is heading to the Sunshine State in 2021. Could it once again be in the arena of the reigning champions?
The Florida Panthers have depth with Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, Evgenii Dadonov, and Mike Hoffman up front, to go with Keith Yandle and Aaron Ekblad on the backend. Free-agent addition Sergei Bobrovsky is starting to gain confidence in the crease as well. If he and the Panthers get hot they have a good a chance as anyone, and +2700 would be a nice payday.
