NHL 2021 Season Preview
It’s mid-November, and Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman is likely still chugging strong Swedish beers from the Stanley Cup. Hedman tallied a goal and six assists while playing phenomenal defense in the Cup Finals, earning him MVP honors. As long as Hedman doesn’t perform kegs stands with the Holy Grail of hockey, the NHL approves of celebratory debauchery (one and done, thanks to Mr. Ovechkin). Through the Covid-19 haze that still surrounds our sporting events worldwide, we glance ahead to the 2021 NHL season and the 2021 Stanley Cup Odds.
online sports betting is a labor of love. NHL futures were being crafted by bookmakers while the Lightning were littering the ice with their gear following Game 6. The NHL is still hoping for a start date of Jan. 1, 2021.
NHL Covid-19 rumors aside, the 2021 NHL season is conceivably right around the corner! What teams are projecting to represent their conferences in the Cup Final? What are the current odds that Lightning strikes two years in a row for Tampa Bay? Will top draft pick Alexis Lafreniere make an immediate and significant impact on the NY Rangers’ postseason prospects?
NHL online betting empires aren’t built upon thin ice, and neither is our sportsbook. It’s never too soon to delve into the data, as championships are often earned in the offseason. The thought process you begin now, may be the domino that triggers a string of wins.
2021 Stanley Cup Odds: Top Three Projected Teams
Colorado Avalanche
Regarding 2021 Stanley Cup odds, the Colorado Avalanche (+650) and Vegas Golden Knights (+650) currently share the top spot. Colorado was the Western Conference’s second seed last season, and just barely lost to the eventual representative for the West in the Finals. The Avalanche lost an intense second-round Game 7 to the Dallas Stars, 5-4 in overtime.
Colorado has a talented young core consisting of Nathan MacKinnon, Andre Burakovsky, and Cale Makar, and about $22 million in cap space to play with. It’s easy to imagine this dangerous squad loading up with a few hired guns to put them on top. The Avalanche will be rocking Nordiques-esque throwback jerseys here and there, channeling their Quebec history as they skate towards the postseason dance.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights were expected by many, including the author, to make it to and win the Cup Finals last season. Vegas has a potent starting line, amazing depth, and high-quality goaltending. In October, the Golden Knights signed D Alex Pietrangelo to a seven-year, $61.6 million dollar deal, improving their blue line immediately.
Combining Pietrangelo with defenseman Shea Theodore, Vegas sports one of the best defensive pairings in the NHL. Pietrangelo and Theodore finished fourth and sixth, respectively, in voting for the Norris Trophy. Perhaps this is the boost needed to propel the Golden Knights to their first ever Stanley Cup victory.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The reigning champion Lightning are ranked third with a moneyline of +750, and in all fairness, Tampa Bay is the team to beat. Tampa has 15 players returning from its Stanley Cup championship squad, and will hopefully have team captain Steven Stamkos healthy for the next title run. Don’t count out the champs!
2021 Stanley Cup Odds: Dark-Horse Candidates
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks (+2200) are an intriguing dark-horse pick to hoist the Cup in 2021. The Canucks advanced to the postseason for the first time since 2015, and defeated the Minnesota Wild and the defending champion St. Louis Blues, before finally falling to Vegas in a thrilling seven-game series. The playoff experience earned during Vancouver’s gritty run will come in handy during the upcoming season.
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers’ Stanley Cup odds leapt to +1800, following the signing of top draft choice Alexis Lafreniere. There’s little doubt that the rookie phenom will have an immediate impact on NY’s success, but thinking Cup may be a little premature. The Rangers have other areas to address before being considered a complete team.
However, the future is bright in NY based on Lefreniere’s presence, and it all came from winning the lottery. It goes to show that anything can happen and that you’ve got to be in it to win it! Get your NHL Futures online picks locked in once you’ve had a look through the 2021 Stanley Cup Odds with BetUS!
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