The oddsmakers at online sportsbook Bodog still think the Washington Capitals are on track to win their first Stanley Cup championship this season, as the latest update of the futures continues to have the Capitals at the top of the list at +425.
However, the Capitals’ lead on the Chicago Blackhawks is shrinking. Chicago has edged closer to Washington on the odds list at +475. There are likely two reasons behind this. First, Chicago retooled their lineup at the trade deadline by grabbing Andrew Ladd, Dale Weise and Tomas Fleischmann without shedding any major pieces. Second, the Blackhawks defeated Washington 3-2 on Sunday afternoon.
While Washington and Chicago continue to dominate the Stanley Cup futures the rest of the top three teams have all taken a slight hit. The rest of the top three remains the same with the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars all sharing the same odds. Last week that was +900, but now they’re at +1100 at Bodog.
From that trio the team that made the biggest move at the deadline was Dallas; they got a much-needed upgrade on their blueline by acquiring defenseman Kris Russell. Los Angeles was fairly quiet with their biggest move the acquisition of Kris Versteeg to provide some forward depth.
Anaheim also addressed their depth with role players Jamie McGinn and Brandon Pirri. It is strange that Anaheim’s Stanley Cup odds have dropped slightly considering they have won eight straight games and are only two points out of first place in the Pacific Division.
While the Ducks’ hot streak hasn’t caused the oddsmakers to move them up the list it has for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators.
The Lightning were listed at +1600 last week but have climbed up to +1200 after winning seven in a row and eight of their last 10 games. The Predators have reeled off five straight wins and they’re 7-0-3 in their last 10. That solid showing has pushed Nashville from +2800 to +2000 on the Bodog Stanley Cup futures.
The Canadian NHL clubs are slowly starting to be taken off the odds list. The Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs have both been kicked off the list since their playoff chances are gone. The Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames at +50,000 are likely next. The Vancouver Canucks are barely holding on at +20,000, while the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators remain on life support, both at +6600.
Odds to win Stanley Cup at Bodog:
Washington Capitals +425
Chicago Blackhawks +475
Los Angeles Kings +1100
Anaheim Ducks +1100
Dallas Stars +1100
Tampa Bay Lightning +1200
St. Louis Blues +1400
San Jose Sharks +1400
New York Rangers +1400
Florida Panthers +1400
New York Islanders +2000
Nashville Predators +2000
Pittsburgh Penguins +2000
Detroit Red Wings +2500
Boston Bruins +2500
Minnesota Wild +3300
Colorado Avalanche +5000
Philadelphia Flyers +5000
Montreal Canadiens +6600
Ottawa Senators +6600
New Jersey Devils +6600
Carolina Hurricanes +10,000
Arizona Coyotes +20,000
Vancouver Canucks +20,000
Calgary Flames +50,000
Winnipeg Jets +50,000