Stanley Cup odds update: Bruins favored to win it all
We've reached the unofficial midway point of the 2022-23 NHL campaign. With around 50 games in the books for each team, let's take a look at some of the biggest shifts in the Stanley Cup betting market.
Note: Only listed teams +4000 or shorter.
| TEAM | FEB 3 ODDS | OCT 5 ODDS |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Bruins | +500 | +2800 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +600 | +400 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +800 | +1000 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +900 | +800 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +1200 | +1200 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +1300 | +2200 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +1400 | +1600 |
| Dallas Stars | +1600 | +4500 |
| New Jersey Devils | +1600 | +7000 |
| New York Rangers | +1600 | +1800 |
| Calgary Flames | +2000 | +1600 |
| Minnesota Wild | +2000 | +2000 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | +2500 | +2000 |
| Seattle Kraken | +2800 | +15000 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +2800 | +6000 |
| LA Kings | +3000 | +3300 |
| Florida Panthers | +3300 | +1200 |
| Washington Capitals | +4000 | +4000 |
Risers
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins were a team I identified as a value back in October, but I never expected this kind of play. They sit atop the NHL in points (83), wins (39), and goal differential (+82). In the latter two categories, it's not even close. Their top six is lethal, they're the league's best defensive team, and the goaltending tandem of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman has shown the ability to steal games. Boston is a very complete team that's likely to address perhaps its lone need - a little more production in the bottom six - at the trade deadline.
Dallas Stars
Things couldn't be going much better for the Dallas Stars in Pete DeBoer's debut season behind the bench. The Jason Robertson-Roope Hintz-Joe Pavelski line has continued to be one of the league's best, while veterans like Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn are enjoying somewhat of a resurgence and providing real scoring depth. Led by Miro Heiskanen, the defense is very strong, and Jake Oettinger has picked up where he left off from last year's playoffs. The Stars have gone from a low seed trying to steal a first-round series to the No. 1 seed in a weak Western Conference.
New Jersey Devils
Everything is going right for the New Jersey Devils. Their stars - Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton, especially - have enjoyed much better health than a season ago, the power play has found its footing under assistant coach Andrew Brunette, and Vitek Vanecek has established himself as a quality starting goaltender. The Devils are loaded with youthful talent and high-end speed and are miserable for opposing teams to try and keep up with on a nightly basis. They already look dangerous as currently constructed, yet general manager Tom Fitzgerald may just have a trick up his sleeve to add another top-six forward and bolster an already potent offense.
Fallers
Pittsburgh Penguins
To say the Pittsburgh Penguins have disappointed thus far would be an understatement. We're more than halfway through the season, and they've lost more games than they've won. Veterans like Jeff Carter and Brian Dumoulin have really struggled. Making matters worse, Casey DeSmith hasn't held down the fort sans Tristan Jarry. This team has real problems and looks poised to waste one of the last high-end years it'll get from Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers entered the campaign with the fourth shortest odds to win the Stanley Cup. They now sit 17th, and even that may be generous. The Panthers are 22nd in points percentage and have mostly looked discombobulated under new head coach Paul Maurice, failing to get into any sort of rhythm all season long. Goaltending remains a big question mark, the team lacks depth, and some of the team's top players - like Aaron Ekblad - have really taken a step back.
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.