2018 Stanley Cup odds: McDavid, Oilers gaining on Crosby, Penguins

Jim Cerny

2018 Stanley Cup odds: McDavid, Oilers gaining on Crosby, Penguins image

The NHL's regular season is only starting, but Westgate has listed its odds to win Lord Stanley's chalice and, not surprisingly, the two-time defending Cup champion Penguins are favored for a three-peat. Breathing right down the necks of Sidney Crosby and Company are the Oilers, already a sexy Cup pick, ranked right behind the Penguins.

Westgate lists the Penguins at 6/1 to win the 2018 Stanley Cup, while the Oilers are at 9/1 odds after reaching the postseason for the first time in 11 years this past spring. With reigning league MVP and scoring champion Connor McDavid leading the way, many experts already see the Oilers as the team to beat in the Western Conference and possible heir apparent to the Penguins' championship throne.

 

Of course, just as Crosby steadfastly refuses to let McDavid displace him as the game's top player, the Penguins are in no hurry to surrender its crown to the upstart Oilers. Since 2009, only four teams have won the Stanley Cup. The Penguins and Blackhawks won three apiece, the Kings won a pair and the Bruins lifted the Cup in 2011.

The last team to win three consecutive Cups is the Islanders, who won four straight during its dynasty from 1980-1983.

MORE: NHL preseason power rankings: Penguins start where they finished

Four teams are listed as 12/1 to win the Stanley Cup. Most intriguing of that group is the Tampa Bay Lightning, who did not reach the playoffs last season after playing in the 2015 Stanley Cup Final and 2016 Eastern Conference Final.

Of the team's north of the border, after Edmonton, the Maple Leafs (14/1) and Canadiens (16/1) have the best odds to win the title. The Canucks have the worst odds of any Canadian-based team, and are one of five clubs, including the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, listed at 200/1.

Here are Wetsgate's odds to win the 2018 Stanley Cup

 

TEAMODDS
Pittsburgh Penguins6/1
Edmonton Oilers9/1
Tampa Bay Lightning12/1
Washington Capitals12/1
Chicago Blackhawks12/1
Minnesota Wild12/1
Toronto Maple Leafs14/1
Nashville Predators14/1
Anaheim Ducks14/1
Dallas Stars14/1
Montreal Canadiens16/1
New York Rangers16/1
San Jose Sharks20/1
Los Angeles Kings20/1
Columbus Blue Jackets25/1
Ottawa Senators30/1
Boston Bruins30/1
St. Louis Blues30/1
Calgary Flames30/1
Florida Panthers40/1
New York Islanders50/1
Philadelphia Flyers50/1
Winnipeg Jets50/1
Buffalo Sabres60/1
Carolina Hurricanes60/1
Colorado Avalanche100/1
Detroit Red Wings200/1
New Jersey Devils200/1
Arizona Coyotes200/1
Vancouver Canucks200/1
Vegas Golden Knights200/1

Jim Cerny