At the beginning of the recently completed Stanley Cup Playoffs Tampa Bay was the prohibitive favorite. After all they blew away the rest of the field as the far and away best regular season team. However, that Presidents Trophy championship proved worthless in the playoffs. Tampa Bay became the first team in history to be swept by an eight seed in the first round. Yet the wagering public still believes in the Lighting. Tampa Bay has opened as the NHL futures betting favorite to win the 2019-20 Stanley Cup championship. Accordingly, some other familiar names top the board.
2019-20 NHL Futures
Date and Time: Season opens October, 2019
NHL Betting Online Odds at SBG: Tampa Bay Lightning 8/1, Boston Bruins 10/1, Vegas Golden Knights 10/1, Colorado Avalanche 12/1, Toronto Maple Leafs 12/1, St. Louis Blues 15/1, San Jose Sharks 16/1, Winnipeg Jets 18/1, Calgary Flames 20/1, Nashville Predators 20/1, Pittsburgh Penguins 20/1, Washington Capitals 20/1, Dallas Stars 25/1, Florida Panthers 25/1, Philadelphia Flyers 25/1, Arizona Coyotes 30/1, Carolina Hurricanes 30/1, Columbus Blue Jackets 30/1, New York Islanders 30/1, Chicago Blackhawks 40/1
Adversity Through No Adversity
Ironically enough Tampa Bay’s lack of adversity in the regular season may have been a playoff negative. Consider that the Lightning coasted to the President’s Trophy with a smooth season. There were no crises or mountains to climb. As a consequence, they were not able to affectively handle post season trouble. But NHL futures betting handicappers still believe in a team that went 62-16-3-1. Further, the Bolts were the highest scoring team in the NHL.
Singing the Blues?
Balanced against the sportsbook futures are the new Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues. St. Louis caught lightning in a bottle during a perfect storm. To show the Blues had the worst record in the NHL on January 3. Further, they had an interim coach in Craig Berube. St. Louis called up a career minor leaguer, Jordan Binnington, to fill in at goaltender. Correspondingly it all came together for an improbable championship. For this reason, a repeat is unlikely. Even though St. Louis may be a better team.
Setbacks Bruin?
Boston’s seven game loss to St. Louis in the Stanley Cup Final may have long term implications. To be exact the Bruins have a strange hybrid of youth and older players. They were able to take advantage of Tampa Bay being eliminated in the first round. It’s not likely that the Bruins will have the same easier path to the Final that they had this spring.
Viva Vegas?
As a result of back-top-back strong seasons does Vegas have a lot of credibility. Additionally, their loss to San Jose in the playoffs has not been forgotten. In brief a controversial game seven penalty against them was a part of their demise. More emphatically others would say true champions would have killed the penalty.
Matchup to Watch
In this situation one of the long shots could prove to bring excellent NHL futures betting value. Chicago recovered from a terrible start to finish strong. Indeed, the Blackhawks proved they can still play effectively. At 40/1 they may be a steal.
2019-20 NHL Futures Betting Picks
In sum the Chicago Blackhawks make for a quality long shot to win the 2020 Stanley Cup.
2019-20 NHL Futures Betting Pick: Chicago Blackhawks
Keep up with the NHL all summer!