The 2018-19 NHL regular season is just underway and 888Sport already has odds to win the Stanley Cup posted. If you enjoy ice hockey betting online at 888 Sport, you already know that the Tampa Bay Lightning are the stand-alone favorites to go all the way in the 2018-19 at +725 on the moneyline.
The Tampa Bay Lightning lead the way at +725 odds, the Nashville Predators follow at +750 odds follow, with the John Tavares-led Maple Leafs at +800 odds, the Winnipeg Jets (+850) and Pittsburgh Penguins tied at (+850), San Jose Sharks (+950), Boston Bruins (+1100), Vegas Golden Knights (+1400), Washington Capitals (+1800), and Columbus Blue Jackets (+2400) rounding out the top 10.
Betting Public Like Sharks After Karlsson Trade
After months of speculation, Ottawa Senators finally decided to trade franchise defenseman Erik Karlsson to the Sharks. In return, the Senators got forward Chris Tierney, defenseman Dylan DeMelo and forward prospects Josh Norris and Rudolfs Balcers, as well as a first-round draft pick (2019 or 2020) and a second-round pick in 2019. If the Sharks do not make it to the postseason this year, that first-rounder will be in 2019. Otherwise, it’s a 2020 first-round pick that will go to the Ottawa Senators.
With Karlsson addition to the Sharks, the Sharks now possess the best one-two punch on the blue line in the NHL with teammate defenseman, Brent Burns. San Jose is clearly going full speed right now, and despite their history of having a strong regular season but a disappointing playoff showing, the betting public are expecting the Sharks to be a serious contender for Lord Stanley’s Cup. After the Karlsson trade, the Sharks’ Cup odds shifted from +1600 to +950 at the time this article was posted.
Big Underdogs – Big Payouts
Although some professional sports leagues, like the NBA, have been criticized for their lack of parity, the same can’t be said about the NHL. As an example, at the beginning of the 2017-18 season, who could’ve predicted the Washington Capitals – a franchise known for their postseason failures – would win their first championship over the expansion Vegas Golden Knights?
That Stanley Cup matchup was proof of the unpredictability of the NHL, and sharp sports bettors can still find value in NHL Futures odds this season. Two teams we like are the Blues (+4000) and Calgary Flames (+3000).
Calgary Flames (+3000)
The Flames have a talented mix of young stars and seasoned veterans on their roster and could surprise bookmakers in 2018-19 if their goal tending stays strong. Goalkeeper, Mike Smith definitely has the talent to make it interesting. At +3000 odds, they are worth a look.
St Louis Blues (+4000)
Next to the Leafs, the Blues had arguably the best offseason of any team in the league, as the club traded for Ryan O’Reilly and signed Tyler Bozak, David Perron and Patrick Maroon in free agency. At +4000 odds, they are a risk worth taking in our opinion.
Take a look at the latest and complete list of Stanley Cup odds. Who are you betting on? Leave your comments down below with your picks for who takes home the Stanley Cup this season.
For more hockey betting information, head over to our NHL page here.
