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Up to date Cup odds: The sensible wager is the highest crew within the East in opposition to the very best within the West to satisfy within the Stanley Cup ultimate.Calgary Flames vs. Tampa Bay Lightning|Getty ImagesAre you prepared for a 15-year reunion of the 2004 Stanley Cup ultimate? It has a sure symmetry to it, with the Lightning the highest crew within the East and the Flames the very best within the West. Plus, it could give us one more reason to look again on Martin Gelinas’ controversial no-goal in Sport 6, to not point out the epic captain-on-captain Jarome Iginla vs. Vincent Lecavalier fisticuffs throwdown.
Let’s begin with the apparent: Tampa Bay has been the category of the league all season, they’re loaded with star energy and nice depth in any respect positions, and something wanting a championship will likely be seen as a disappointment. That’s loads to reside as much as, however they’re a lot succesful in addition to a lot motivated after three appearances within the East ultimate prior to now 4 years – and a Cup ultimate look in 2015 – with no ring to point out for it.
The Flames, in the meantime, have gone from lacking the playoffs a 12 months in the past to a convention title. And that’s spectacular. However should you subscribe to the speculation that a crew has to expertise playoff disappointment earlier than it may obtain Stanley Cup success, then you definitely could be leery of Calgary. The Flames can skate and rating with anyone, however they’ll should show their playoff ruggedness. They’ve acquired some highlights on protection – Mark Giordano is within the operating for the Norris Trophy and Calgary has some advantageous two-way forwards – however their blueline depth will likely be examined. Which brings us to the largest query mark for the Flames: the crease. How will ‘Huge Save Dave’ Rittich fare in his first NHL playoff motion? And if he falters, can Mike Smith rebound from a season during which he misplaced the beginning job and instantly develop into a brick wall within the playoffs?
In fact, there are 14 different groups within the NHL, and given the parity in as we speak’s recreation, all people’s acquired a shot. Listed here are the up to date team-by-team Stanley Cup odds, by way of on-line bookmaker BetOnline.ag:
THE FAVORITESTampa Bay Lightning 11/4Calgary Flames eight/1
THE CONTENDERSBoston Bruins 10/1San Jose Sharks 10/1Washington Capitals 10/1Winnipeg Jets 10/1St. Louis Blues 12/1Nashville Predators 14/1Pittsburgh Penguins 18/1
THE REST OF THE PACKNew York Islanders 20/1Toronto Maple Leafs 20/1Vegas Golden Knights 20/1Carolina Hurricanes 25/1Columbus Blue Jackets 25/1Dallas Stars 33/1Colorado Avalanche 40/1
Tags: nhl, stanley cup playoffsConnect: Concerning the AuthorSam McCaigCopy editor Sam McCaig rejoined The Hockey Information in 2017 after beforehand working at THN from 1999 to 2010. His profession excessive for objectives in a season is one.