Penguins favourites for first Stanley Cup win since 2009

Penguins favourites for first Stanley Cup win since 2009

By Michael Gales Sep 30, 2013

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In anticipation of the start of an exciting 2013/14 NHL season which sees realignment to four new divisions we preview the teams that top the Stanley Cup winner’s odds, to see what gives them Stanley Cup winning potential in a season full of change.

2013/14 NHL season: Major format changes

The NHL has gone through a major realignment in the offseason, which sees it going from six divisions to four as the Detroit Red Wings, and Columbus Blue Jackets move east and the Winnipeg Jets move west.

Click here too see how the divisional format and the Sochi Olympics impact on a team’s prospects of Stanley Cup Glory in 2013/14?

Eastern Conference: Metropolitan Division

The Pittsburgh Penguins are offered as Pinnacle Sports’ Stanley Cup 8.120*, Eastern Conference 4.420* and the Metropolitan Division 1.971* favourites.

Last season the Penguins were swept aside by the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference finals, but with head coach Dan Bylsma, forward Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang tied down to long-term deals in the offseason, in addition to signing 2009 Cup hero Rob Scuderi from Los Angeles, they are as strong as ever.

It was not that long ago that the New York Rangers were on the fringes of the playoffs, however the Rangers are now offered at 17.740* to win the Stanley Cup. Their new coach Alain Vigneault will be hoping his new system is implemented quickly as they face a tough start to the season – they play their first nine on the road, five of which will take place against Western Conference opposition.

The team most affected for the Stanley Cup by the new format is arguably the Washington Capitals. The Capitals 30.500* had won the Southeast in five of the past six years but they will now face tougher opposition and that is reflected in the division odds.

The big question over the Metropolitan division is how well the Columbus Blue Jackets 72.160* can adapt to life in the East? After years of battling a brutal travel schedule, the Blue Jackets will now play 66% of their games within the Eastern time zone. This should be important, though it could force the Jackets to play a more physical Eastern Conference style.

Eastern Conference: Atlantic Division

The new Atlantic division has seen both of the teams from Florida join the Detroit Red Wings and all other clubs from the previous Northeast Division.

The Boston Bruins finished second in the division last season but fell in the final of the Stanley Cup. Their aim this season will be to go one better as general manager Peter Chiarelli has invested in a number of solid offensive players. With the defence expected to be as solid as ever, they are offered at 3.150* to win the division and third favourites for the Stanley Cup victory.

With the Detroit Red Wings 18.740* moving conference to the East, it is the first time in years they have not been considered a divisional powerhouse. Despite the change set to help them in the long run they may struggle initially as they adapt to life as an Eastern team. With an ageing defensive line, a tougher division could see them out of the playoff picture in April.

Despite surprising many last year by winning the Northeast division, the Montreal Canadiens were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs against the Ottawa Senators. The Canadiens 21.550* are a youthful team and will need to mature quickly if they are to win their 25th Stanley Cup title and first since 1993.

Western Conference: Pacific Division

The new divisional changes see the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks now share a division with the three Californian teams and the Phoenix Coyotes. With only 14 teams in the West this season, the playoff race will be as intense as ever.

The Los Angeles Kings 11.320* failed to defend their title last season as they lost to eventual champions the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference final.

However, they are amongst the favourites for the Stanley Cup again this season as they have a talented squad. They struggled in the shortened season last year, so an 82-game schedule should be more beneficial.

Despite the Vancouver Canucks 20.080* having a successful regular season, there was a lot of turmoil amongst the team – goaltender Roberto Luongo is amongst the best in NHL but a question mark remains over how well he will perform after all the drama between him and the team last term.

The Anaheim Ducks overachieved last year as they took advantage of a good start to make the playoffs. They have two world-class players in Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, but the problem will be where the secondary goals come from? With Bobby Ryan also gone, odds of 23.600* are offered on the Ducks winning the Stanley Cup.

Is this the year the Edmonton Oilers finally realise their potential? Their young squad has plenty of talent, and they now have a new coach in Dallas Eakins. They can be backed as fifth favourites for the division at 7.550*, while 24.130* is available if you think they can win their first Stanley Cup since 1990.

Western Conference: Central Division

The realignment resulted in the departure of Detroit and Columbus, which will make the division fiercer, despite it appearing one of the weakest on paper.

Last seasons Stanley Cup winners the Chicago Blackhawks are offered at 8.880* to become the first team since 1998 to defend their title. They are the only team since the 2004-05 season to win the title twice, and they have retained the hub of their talent intact despite the salary cap. If they can avoid a cup hangover from last season, the odds suggest they have a good chance of claiming their third title in five seasons.

After consecutive playoff exits against the LA Kings, the St. Louis Blues will be out to prove they are amongst the Western Conference’s elite. With a number of new additions making the team stronger, they are offered at 12.140* to lift the Cup in 2013-14.

The Dallas Stars have changed so much during the off-season. With a new logo, new general manager, new coach and a host of new additions to their roster, they have genuine postseason aspirations. They are at 66.250* to win the ultimate prize, but are at 15.390* to qualify from the division and put an end to their five-year playoff drought.

The Winnipeg Jets 78.040* have moved west but will need to start winning after their lack of progress since the move from Atlanta in 2011. They came close to the playoffs last season, but will an overreliance on youth hamper their chances of a first playoff appearance since 2007. Can the new division and conference see a change in the Jets’ fortunes?

With the most significant structural realignment to the NHL format for over a decade and the addition of the Winter Olympics, the 2013/14 NHL season offers the bettor an opportunity to capitalise on the uncertainty created and the chance to make a profit.

Click here to see the latest NHL outright odds

*Odds subject to change

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