Toronto Maple Leafs fans, take heart.
After the Vancouver Canucks, the Leafs are the most likely Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup in 2013, at least according to odds at Pinnacle Sports.
Vancouver is ranked fourth overall in the NHL at +1002 odds (roughly 10:1), with the Leafs a distant second among Canadian teams at +4346.
That Toronto is seen as the second-most likely team north of the border to win the Cup is more of an indictment of Canada’s other teams than anything else. Pinnacle Sports doesn’t seem to think the Oilers (+4823), Senators (+4653), Flames (+5206), Canadiens (+5436) or Jets (+7060) have a snowball’s chance in hell, either.
Pinnacle Sports’ favourites to win the Stanley Cup this season are headed by the Penguins (+893), the defending champion Kings (that sounds funny, but LA is listed at +997) and the Rangers (+1002).
Of course, not all sportsbook odds are created equal, which is why it’s a good idea to compare them. Getting the largest payout possible on all your bets is one of the most important things to your sports betting bottom line.
If you compare NHL futures odds, like we have in the chart below, you’ll see that Oilers fans might have more hope than you think. Bodog lists Edmonton as +1600 to win the Cup this year, giving them roughly three times the chances to win the title that Pinnacle Sports did (+4823). Sports Interaction (+1900) are also much higher on Edmonton’s chances than Pinnacle.
Ironically, if you like a longshot and want to throw a few bucks on the Oilers, it’s best to bet Edmonton at the sportsbook that is giving the Oil the least chance to win. Even just a $20 bet on Edmonton to win the Cup would net you nearly $1,000 at Pinnacle Sports, compared to just a $320 return at Bodog.
Other significant differences on the NHL futures odds lines include the Sabres (+2514 at Pinnacle Sports, +2900 at Sports Interaction), the Wild (+2495 at Pinnacle Sports, +1800 at Bodog) and the Habs (+5436 at Pinnacle, +3500 at Bodog). And hell, if you feel like burning some money, Sports Interaction (+20100) are offering some whopping returns on the Blue Jackets this year.
NHL 2013 Futures Odds (as of Jan. 9; odds subject to change)
Best odds on each team in bold
| Pinnacle | Bodog | SIA | 5Dimes | |
| Penguins | +893 | +800 | +700 | +600 |
| Kings | +997 | +1200 | +1100 | +1000 |
| Rangers | +1002 | +800 | +800 | +750 |
| Canucks | +1093 | +1000 | +1100 | +1000 |
| Blackhawks | +1427 | +1400 | +1100 | +1000 |
| Flyers | +1528 | +1400 | +1300 | +1100 |
| Bruins | +1494 | +1400 | +1500 | +1100 |
| Blues | +1681 | +1600 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Red Wings | +1876 | +1800 | +1800 | +1800 |
| Sharks | +1996 | +2200 | +2100 | +2000 |
| Sabres | +2514 | +2800 | +2900 | +2800 |
| Devils | +3043 | +3300 | +3100 | +3000 |
| Lightning | +3043 | +3000 | +2900 | +2800 |
| Capitals | +2205 | +2200 | +2300 | +2200 |
| Hurricanes | +2467 | +2200 | +2100 | +2200 |
| Wild | +2495 | +1800 | +1900 | +1800 |
| Predators | +2723 | +3300 | +2600 | +2800 |
| Ducks | +4346 | +4500 | +4100 | +4000 |
| Maple Leafs | +4346 | +3500 | +4100 | +4000 |
| Oilers | +4823 | +1600 | +1900 | +2200 |
| Panthers | +5436 | +4000 | +4100 | +4000 |
| Canadiens | +5436 | +3500 | +4100 | +4000 |
| Senators | +4653 | +4000 | +4100 | +4000 |
| Coyotes | +4963 | +4500 | +4100 | +4500 |
| Flames | +5206 | +5000 | +6700 | +6600 |
| Avalanche | +7060 | +5000 | +4100 | +4000 |
| Jets | +7060 | +6600 | +4100 | +4500 |
| Stars | +4430 | +4000 | +3600 | +3500 |
| Islanders | +8493 | +7500 | +8100 | +8000 |
| Blue Jackets | +11601 | +10000 | +20100 | +20000 |