Having cruised to the top overall record in the Eastern Conference this season the Pittsburgh Penguins will enter the NHL’s playoffs as the favorite on the odds to win the Stanley Cup at the online sportsbooks.
The Penguins put up a conference-high 72 points during the NHL’s shortened 48-game season, and they sit as the 7/2 favorite on the Stanley Cup odds at Ladbrokes with the playoffs set to get underway at eight venues this week.
That has Pittsburgh just ahead of the Chicago Blackhawks on those NHL futures, with the Hawks at 9/2 on the Stanley Cup odds at Ladbrokes after winning the Presidents’ Trophy and finishing atop the Western Conference standings with a league-high 77 points.
The Boston Bruins are next on the odds to win the Stanley Cup at Ladbrokes at 8/1, followed by both the Montreal Canadiens and the Anaheim Ducks at 10/1. The Ducks rolled to the Pacific Division title this season, ending up just behind the Blackhawks in the Western Conference standings with 66 points.
The Vancouver Canucks, who won the Northwest Division with 59 points this season, are then at 12/1 on the NHL championship futures, followed by both the Los Angeles Kings and the St. Louis Blues at 14/1 odds to win the Stanley Cup this spring.
The Washington Capitals, who surged in the second half of the season to claim the Southeast Division title with 57 points, hold down 16/1 odds to win the Stanley Cup, with the San Jose Sharks and the Toronto Maple Leafs both at 20/1 odds. The Maple Leafs ended a long playoff drought by picking up 57 points.
Rounding out the Stanley Cup odds at Ladbrokes heading into the start of NHL playoff betting this week are the Ottawa Senators (28/1), New York Rangers (28/1), Minnesota Wild (28/1), Detroit Red Wings (40/1), and New York Islanders (40/1).
Odds to Win 2013 Stanley Cup at Ladbrokes
Pittsburgh Penguins 7/2
Chicago Blackhawks 9/2
Boston Bruins 8/1
Anaheim Ducks 10/1
Montreal Canadiens 10/1
Vancouver Canucks 12/1
Los Angeles Kings 14/1
St Louis Blues 14/1
Washington Capitals 16/1
San Jose Sharks 20/1
Toronto Maple Leafs 20/1
Ottawa Senators 28/1
New York Rangers 28/1
Minnesota Wild 28/1
Detroit Red Wings 40/1
New York Islanders 40/1