An Avalanche of Stanley Cup Odds in October
The 2019-20 NHL season is now well underway, and with each team getting into the swing of things as we head into late October, there are quite a few interesting storylines to follow.
There are a few surprising teams at the top that weren’t initially expected to do so well but are off to hot starts. Then there are those highly skilled teams on paper that haven’t quite lived up to expectations just yet. And then there are plenty of teams that are still figuring things out.
If you haven’t placed a bet on a team to win the Stanley Cup yet, have no fear, here are the teams worth keeping an eye on.
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Surprises at the Top of the NHL Standings
Through two and a half weeks of play, there are still two teams that have just one loss this season — and one of those teams has yet to lose in regulation!
The Colorado Avalanche have steamrolled their opponents this season and hold a 7-0-1 record through eight games. Their lone blemish was a 3-2 overtime loss to the Penguins in Pittsburgh, and they’ve won by the skin of their teeth in overtime against the Arizona Coyotes and in Florida against the Panthers. They even took down the Stanley Cup favorites on the road on Saturday, October 20 by a score of 6-2.
The Avalanche are carried by a dominant top line and strong goaltending. They are still +1300 to win the Stanley Cup, which are the sixth-best odds in the league, but no one expected them to be this good this early. They have outscored opponents 35-21 in their first eight games.
The other team with just one loss is the Edmonton Oilers. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have put the Oilers on their back to the tune of a 7-1-0 record through eight games. Edmonton has outscored their opponents 31-20 so far.
The Oilers have the 14th-best odds to win the Stanley Cup at +2500, which would be worth a flier given their high-flying offense and, most notably, having the best player in the world in Connor McDavid.
The Buffalo Sabres (+3500) and Anaheim Ducks (+4000) are also showing promise early in the season with a 6-1-1 record for Buffalo, and 6-2-0 record for Anaheim.
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Stanley Cup Contenders Slow Out of the Gate 
The favorites to win the Stanley Cup are not doing so well to start the season. The aforementioned Tampa Bay Lightning are just 4-3-1 through eight games this season, tying them for 13th in the NHL with nine points as of October 20. Tampa has been one of the perennial favorites to win the Cup and this year is no different at +800.
While the Lightning are struggling, the favorites behind them of Vegas (+900), Boston (+1150) and Toronto (+1150) are all holding their own with at least 11 points this season. Vegas and Boston each have 12 points so far.
Who’s Worth Your Bet for Stanley Cup Odds?
If you have yet to place a bet on a team for the Stanley Cup, the few teams mentioned in the first segment (Oilers, Sabres, Ducks) are a good high-reward option. The Golden Knights, and moreso the Bruins — who have only lost one game in regulation so far — are safer options.
If you have already placed a bet on a team for the Stanley Cup — especially the Lightning — do not worry. It’s a long season and with the NHL’s playoff format, anyone can make the playoffs and it’s anyone’s game from there.
