Updated 2019 Stanley Cup Odds – September 4th Edition

Later this month, the NHL Preseason starts. Unlike the NBA where a single team has dominated, the NHL doesn’t often produce a repeat Stanley Cup winner. This season the favorites, Toronto and Tampa Bay, offer above +500 Stanley Cup odds. Check out current odds for the 2019 Stanley Cup. Then, read some of my thoughts on the odds.

Updated 2019 Stanley Cup Odds – September 4th Edition

There’s no denying @strombone1‘s desire to reach the #StanleyCup with the @FlaPanthers. https://t.co/tn9PKpg8Ow

— NHL (@NHL) September 2, 2018

Latest 2019 Stanley Cup Odds

• Anaheim Ducks +2000
• Arizona Coyotes +8000
• Boston Bruins +850
• Buffalo Sabres +6000
• Calgary Flames +2500
• Carolina Hurricanes +5500
• Chicago Blackhawks +2500
• Colorado Avalanche +3000
• Columbus Blue Jackets +2000
• Dallas Stars +2000
• Detroit Red Wings +7000
• Edmonton Oilers +1800
• Florida Panthers +3000
• Los Angeles Kings +2000
• Minnesota Wild +2200
• Montreal Canadiens +6000
• Nashville Predators +800
• New Jersey Devils +3300
• New York Islanders +6500
• New York Rangers +5500
• Ottawa Senators +12000
• Philadelphia Flyers +2000
• Pittsburgh Penguins +1000
• San Jose Sharks +1600
• Louis Blues +2200
• Tampa Bay Lightning +650
• Toronto Maple Leafs +550
• Vancouver Canucks +6000
• Vegas Golden Knights +1000
• Washington Capitals +900
• Winnipeg Blue Bombers +1000

Why are the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning favored?

It’s easy to see why Tampa Bay offers +650 odds. Tampa has made it to the NHL Eastern Conference Finals in 3 of the past 4 seasons. In the 2014-2015 NHL Season, they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Finals. Last season, Tampa Bay lost to eventual Stanley Cup Champion Washington in the Eastern Conference Finals. Odds makers always favor Tampa Bay to win the Stanley Cup. But what about the Toronto Maple Leafs? The past two seasons, Toronto has exited the NHL Playoffs in the first round. Washington beat Toronto 4-2 in the 2017 NHL Playoffs. In the 2018 NHL Playoffs, the Boston Bruins dumped the Maple Leafs in Round 1 by a 4-3 series score. Toronto made the biggest free agent move during the offseason, though. The Maple Leafs signed excellent center John Tavares. Along with Auston Mathews and Mitch Marner, the Leafs should send the best center group to the ice this season. Toronto could average close to 4 goals a game if Tavares, Marner and Mathews remain healthy. However, the Maple Leafs’ defense might not be at the required caliber to win a Stanley Cup. Plus, the NHL is always deep with Cup contenders.

Which team at +1000 or less odds offers value to beat the Maple Leafs and Lightning?

The Vegas Golden Knights might have the best shot at beating Tampa and Toronto. The Knights went 12-3 in the Western Conference before losing the Stanley Cup in 5 games to Washington. Vegas added a ton of depth. They also resigned William Karlsson to a 1-year, $5.25 million contract. Shea Theodore, one of the Golden Knights’ key defensemen, should sign his contract soon. If Theodore does end up a Golden Knight for at least another season, Vegas did enough to bolster their depth to contend for the Stanley Cup.

What higher than +1000 odds underdogs offer the most value to win the 2019 Stanley Cup?

The L.A. Kings offer +2200 odds even though they played almost the entire 2017-2018 NHL Season without Jeff Carter. A center, Carter scored 32 goals in 82 games in the 2016-2017 NHL Season. He added another 34 assists. Carter’s health is key. If he remains healthy, the Kings could surprise on the offensive end. In addition to Carter, they signed 35-year-old Ilya Kovalchuk from the KHL. Kovalchuk is old, but he scored goals with ease while in the KHL. He should be a great off the bench addition for the Kings. L.A.’s defense is fantastic. It ranked first in both goals against and penalty kills. Goalie Jonathan Quick is one of the best in the league. The Kings offer great value at +2200 because a healthy Carter, great play from Kovalchuk off the bench, and a still strong defense gives them a big shot to win the Stanley Cup.