Penguins New Favourite On Stanley Cup Betting Odds


With the Washington Capitals down 2-1 in their first-round series and the Chicago Blackhawks in an 0-3 hole versus Nashville, the Pittsburgh Penguins are the new favourite on the 2017 Stanley Cup betting odds.

Sportsbooks currently list the Penguins at +365 odds to win their second straight Stanley Cup championship. Pittsburgh, which opened the playoffs at +800 odds at online sportsbook BetOnline, carries a 3-0 series lead over the Blue Jackets into tonight’s Game 4 in Columbus.

Here’s a look at some of the other big movers on the 2017 Stanley Cup betting odds, comparing their current price to what they paid when they began the playoffs.

 

Teams Going Up The 2017 Stanley Cup Betting Odds

St. Louis Blues (opened at +2000, now +600)

The Blues were quietly one of the hottest teams in the NHL down the stretch, going 15-2-2 in their final 19 regular-season games, and have extended that hot run into the playoffs.

St. Louis has jumped out to a 3-0 series lead on the Wild by holding the second-ranked Minnesota offence to just 1 goal in each of the first 3 games. If the Blues can finish the job against Minnesota, they’d be a pretty solid favourite over eighth-seeded Nashville – assuming the Predators don’t choke away a 3-0 series lead of their own over No. 1 seed Chicago.

Anaheim Ducks (opened at +1100, now +600)

Anaheim is another team with a 3-0 series stranglehold, rallying from a 4-1 deficit Monday in Calgary to beat the Flames 5-4 in OT after winning the first two games on home ice by 3-2 scores.

Like St. Louis, the Ducks are on a major run. Dating back to the regular season, Anaheim is 16-1-3 in its last 20 games.

In Round 2, the Ducks would face either the Sharks or Oilers. Edmonton led that first-round series 2-1 going into Tuesday’s action.

Nashville Predators (opened +2800, now +600)

Not many gave the Predators a chance at advancing to the second round, but that’s all changed now that they’re up 3-0 on the Blackhawks.

Nashville held Chicago without a goal in each of the first two games in Chitown, and now have the Hawks on the ropes after coming back from a 2-0 deficit to beat Chicago 3-2 in OT Monday in Nashville.

If the Preds do meet St. Louis in Round 2, they can draw some confidence from the fact they beat the Blues in 3 of the teams’ 5 regular-season meetings this year – though all 3 of those wins came before Christmas.

 

Teams Sliding Down The 2017 Stanley Cup Betting Odds

Washington Capitals (opened +300, now +700)

The Capitals have their hands full down 2-1 to the young Leafs in Round 1, once again prompting all the talk about Washington’s past playoff failures.

But if Washington can even the series with a win Wednesday in Game 4 in Toronto, they’ll regain home-ice advantage in the series. At home this year, Washington has gone 32-7-2.

Even if you’re a Leafs fan, this might be a good time to bet on the Capitals’ Stanley Cup futures. But beware, Washington’s greatest nemesis – the Penguins – look like they’ll be waiting for the Caps in Round 2.

Chicago Blackhawks (opened +475, now +4000)

Do you believe in miracles? You probably have to if you’re going to buy stock in the Blackhawks right now, though the potential 40:1 return may make it worthwhile.

Chicago looks like an absolute mess right now. And maybe we shouldn’t be surprised by the Hawks’ slow start to the playoffs. Chicago closed the regular season with losses in 4 straight games and 6 of 8.

But don’t forget, the Kings overcame a 3-0 series deficit to beat the Sharks in Round 1 of the 2014 playoffs, then went on to win the Stanley Cup. There’s no reason the Hawks, with their three Stanley Cup championships since 2010, can’t do it too.