At the beginning of future market betting for 2023, the Stanley Cup championship came as an obvious pick with the NHL betting odds. Colorado impressively won the Stanley Cup. In fact, the Avalanche went 16-4 in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Colorado is young, fast, skilled, and champions. Their future is all upwards. So, it is understandable that they opened as the favorites for a repeat. The defending champion is the usual fallback future favorite. However, this year the Avs are justifiable chalk. But nobody is ever a lock to win the Stanly Cup.
2023 Stanley Cup Championship Odds at SBG
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | +500 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +900 |
| Florida Panthers | +1000 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +1000 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +1000 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +1100 |
| Calgary Flames | +1800 |
| Minnesota Wild | +1800 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | +2000 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +2000 |
| New York Rangers | +2000 |
| St. Louis Blues | +2500 |
| Boston Bruins | +3000 |
| New York Islanders | +3500 |
| Los Angeles Kings | +3500 |
| Washington Capitals | +4500 |
| Vancouver Canucks | +4500 |
| Dallas Stars | +5000 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +5000 |
| All Other Teams | +6000 or higher |
2023 Stanley Cup SBG Odds Overview – The Hardest Trophy to Win
Following the Stanley Cup presentation, the Avalanche players’ comments were telling. Colorado players talked of all the work and effort it took to win the championship. The players were as drained as they were happy. And that leads to their sportsbook prospects for 2023. Physically Colorado is the best team in the NHL. But will the Avs have the mental fortitude to do it again? Consider the Stanley Cup is considered the hardest trophy in major pro team sports to win. The champions pay an enormous price to win it. Thus, the defending champions are no lock.
Colorado Locked and Loaded
On the whole, the Avalanche has the most talent, speed, and skill in the NHL. Now they have a proven team of champions. That includes goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who was never considered elite until Sunday night’s clincher. Colorado’s core of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and head coach Jared Bednar bring instant credibility.
Will The Leafs Not Fall?
The closest team to Colorado’s skill, speed, and depth is the Toronto Maple Leafs. But the Leafs have a terrible reputation for wilting in the playoffs. In the first round, Toronto had Tampa Bay on the ropes 3-2. However, the Maple Leafs showed why they are not yet on a championship level. Namely, Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner are a dangerous 1-2 punch. But the blue line and goaltending remain suspect.
Can Lightning Strike Out of Defeat?
Tampa Bay remains a respected power team. But the Lightning is starting to age and have holes in their roster depth. The salary cap has a way of doing that to teams. But goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy remains as good as anyone.
Viva Vegas?
Last season was one of bitter disappointment for the Vegas Golden Knights. And it cost coach Pete DeBoer his job. New head coach Bruce Cassidy arrives from the Boston Bruins. While at Boston, Cassidy led the Bruins to the 2019 Stanley Cup Final. But Vegas has major goaltending issues.
Panthers Set to Prevail?
Last week the Florida Panthers hired Paul Maurice as their new head coach. Florida won the 2022 Presidents’ Trophy for the best regular-season record. But the Cats flopped in the playoffs. Maurice brings the necessary experience that Andrew Brunette lacked behind the bench.
2023 Stanley Cup Championship SBG Free Picks
The Panthers are loaded with skill with elite forwards such as Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov along with defenseman Aaron Ekblad. Florida is motivated to atone for its 2022 NHL betting playoff flop.
2023 Stanley Cup Championship SBG Best Bet: Florida Panthers.