The 2021 NHL regular season is just about over, and it’s time to take a look at the updated NHL Stanley Cup futures. Three of the four divisions have their playoff fields set. The North, or all-Canadian, Division still has one spot up for grabs, which will most likely be taken by Calgary.
With the Stanley Cup playoffs looming on the horizon, it’s time once again for a look at the updated NHL Stanley Cup futures. It should be an interesting postseason in the NHL.
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Oh Canada
The last Canadian team to win a Stanley Cup was the Montreal Canadiens in 1993. Since then, there have only been four appearances by Canadian teams in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Calgary played in the 2004 final. Two years later, it was Edmonton and in 2007 Ottawa played for the Cup. The last Canadian team to make a Stanley Cup final was Vancouver in 2011.
This year could be the year a Canadian team at least gets back to the final. With the way the postseason is set up, we know that at least one team from up north will play in the semifinals.
The Canadian team with the best shot at winning it all is Toronto, which is given +550 odds to win this year’s Stanley Cup. The Maple Leafs (35-13-6) have a commanding lead in the North Division with two games remaining.
Toronto has one of the NHL’s most formidable duos in Mitch Marner (third in the NHL in points with 67) and Auston Mathews (NHL goals leader with 40).
The Favorite – NHL Stanley Cup Futures
When looking at the updated NHL Stanley Cup futures, we need to look at the favorites. The overall odds favorite to win this year’s Stanley Cup is Colorado, which will likely finish second in its own West Division. The Avalanche took over the favorite role at the end of March and have maintained a hold on it despite losing four of their last nine games.
The Avs have what is likely the most talented offensive roster in the NHL. Nathan MacKinnon leads the team with 65 points. Mikko Rantanen scored 30 goals and is second in points with 61. Gabriel Landeskog has 49 points and defenseman Cale Makar adds 43.
Colorado will be a tough out in the postseason. The Avs lead the NHL in scoring (3.47) and they are also fifth in goals against per game (2.45). That is why they are now listed at +400 to win it all.
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Vegas Odds – Updated NHL Stanley Cup Futures
As mentioned Colorado could lose out on the top seed in the West Division to rival Vegas. The Golden Knights are 8-2 in their last 10 games and have one remaining with the Avs. Win it, and they win the division.
Vegas, which is listed at +500 in the updated NHL Stanley Cup futures, is tied for first in goals against per game (2.22). The Knights are outstanding on defense. That is one reason why they hold a 4-3 edge in the season series with Colorado.
Like the Avs, Vegas will be a tough out in the postseason. Take a look at your online sportsbook’s NHL betting menu and ride the hot hand.
The Central
The Central Division has been outstanding this season. Reigning Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay (36-16-3) is currently third behind Florida (36-14-5) and first-place Carolina (36-11-8). The Hurricanes are tied with Vegas for the President’s Cup with 80 points.
Carolina is given +650 odds to win the Cup while the defending champion Lightning check in at +600. The Panthers, who haven’t made it past the first round of the playoffs since 2012, are given the longest odds in the division at +1750.
Value Picks – NHL Stanley Cup Futures
One of the bigger surprises of the latter part of the season was the run by the Pittsburgh Penguins that resulted in an NHL East Division title. The Pens are 8-2 in their last ten games and sport a 22-4-2 record at home, the best in the NHL.
Pittsburgh (+900) edged out Washington (+900) for the East crown. The Capitals are given the same odds as the Penguins. Any team with Alexander Ovechkin always has a shot at the Cup. Don’t forget the Caps won it all in 2018.
Also given +900 odds is Boston which is also in the East Division. The Bruins won 11 of their last 15 games to capture third-place in the division. Boston has one of the best lines in hockey with Brad Marchand (67 pts), Patrice Bergeron (48), and David Pastrnak (47).
Longshots to Win Lord Stanley’s Mug
While not a huge longshot at +1150 in NHL Stanley Cup futures, the New York Islanders are the best defensive team in hockey. Goalie Semyon Varlamov is second in goals against average (2.02) and second in save percentage (.930). The Islanders can keep games close. What they have trouble doing is winning on the road.
Edmonton isn’t a huge longshot either, but at +1750 they could make a late-season run. They are 7-3 in their last ten games and they have the top two scorers in the league in Connor McDavid (100 pts) and Leon Draisaitl (79).
