Following their sweep of the Presidents’ Trophy champion Florida Panthers, the Tampa Bay Lightning look invincible. In their first-round Stanley Cup series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay was pronounced dead. Of course, the Maple Leafs held a 3-2 lead in the series. But Toronto failed to apply the NHL betting odds dagger. Tampa Bay won the final two games to clinch the series. Including a game seven win at Toronto. Tampa Bay is proving their championship character. They may be older and with less roster depth. But Tampa Bay has unmatched resolve and hockey’s best goalie.
2022 Stanley Cup Championship Odds at SBG
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | +131 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +262 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +575 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +662 |
| New York Rangers | +1175 |
| Calgary Flames | +2450 |
| St. Louis Blues | +8000 |
Lightning Strikes When it Matters Most
First among equals on the Lightning is goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. Vasi backstopped the previous two Lightning Stanley Cup titles. And against Toronto with a gun to Tampa Bay’s head, Vasilevskiy didn’t flinch. So far in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Vasilevskiy has a .932 save percentage. Thanks to their sportsbook sweep of the Panthers, Tampa Bay gets a much-needed rest break. The Lightning will hope that the Rangers and Hurricanes winner is worn out from an intense series.
An Avalanche of Power
Colorado has been dominant in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues. Last year the Avalanche learned a valuable playoff lesson in a 4-2 series loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Colorado had a 2-0 series lead but got happy. Vegas was angry and swept the next four games to eliminate the Avs.
To be exact, Colorado got painfully schooled on humility and the need to finish. The Avs learned why the Stanley Cup is the hardest trophy to win. Colorado is flashing a multitude of weapons that make them betting chalk.
First, defenseman Cale Makar is arguably the best and most dominant in the game. Makar is being compared to Bobby Orr and Paul Coffey as a defenseman that can bring fans out of their seats with his offensive ability. In fact, Makar leads the Avalanche in points with three goals and nine assists. Makar takes care of the back end with a +6.
Additionally, Forwards Nazem Kadri, Gabriel Landeskog, and Nathan MacKinnon have each scored five goals. And goaltender Darcy Kuemper confronts the critics and doubters with a .917 save percentage.
Oil Strikes in Edmonton
The biggest surprise in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs is the Edmonton Oilers. Edmonton leads the Calgary Flames 3-1 after dropping the first game of the series. What has been most surprising has been Edmonton’s defense and goaltending. Mike Smith was providing a dominant advantage between the pipes against Calgary. And then midseason pickup Evander Kane lit the lamp 12 times to start the playoffs.
Hurricane of Home Cooking
On the whole, the Carolina Hurricanes have played 11 playoff games. The home team won all 11 of those matchups. Carolina and the Rangers are in an intense 2-2 series.
2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs SBG Free Picks
So far in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Lighting, and Avalanche stand apart as the most impressive NHL betting performers.
SBG Best Bet: Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche.