Lightning struck twice in the NHL, as Tampa Bay won the Stanley Cup Finals in 2021. This was a feat achieved by the Pittsburgh Penguins back in 2016-2017. But, even though the Lightning has won it two years on the trot, they are outside favorites to win it next year, with the Colorado Avalanche once again favored in the Stanley Cup odds across all top-tier bookmakers.
Many expected Colorado to turn up in 2021 and take the Stanley Cup back to Denver. The Avalanche possesses one of the best teams in the league and will once again start out the season as the team to beat. They finished top of the West Division with the second-most wins in the NHL last season. Only second to the Vegas Golden Knights, who start out as joint second favorites in the NHL betting odds alongside the reigning champions the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Bruins, Hurricanes, and Islanders are outside favorites for the 2022 Stanley Cup winners. With a Leaf’s team that impressed a lot in 2020, they are in the mix with the best, as well as the 2021 Stanley Cup Finalists the Montreal Canadiens, who were the shock team in the NHL this season.
We’ll take a look at the odds for teams to make it all the way in 2022, based on the odds from the best sportsbooks available to US players. Let’s analyze how things might unfold.
The Avalanche has an elite team of players. We’re likely to see a fair few of them featuring in 2022 All-Star teams, they’re that good. Last season they put up the most goals in the league, scoring 197 in total throughout the regular season.
Nathan MacKinnon has been the leader in offence and has paved the way for many of the other attackers. Players like Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen are becoming some of the most deadly wingers in the league but didn’t do enough in 2021. Will they have what it takes this season?
Then there’s the young Cale Maker, who is one of the most exciting defensemen the league has seen in years. We expect this young man to continue to evolve. Devon Toews has also shown great promise for the Avalanche and alongside Maker makes up one of the best defensive units in the NHL.
The Bolts defied the odds and managed to win back-to-back Stanley Cup titles. Jon Cooper has done a great job with the team. With the Seattle Kraken joining the league this season, it’ll be interesting to see which player leaves Tampa to move up to Washington.
The Tampa Bay Lightning boasts the likes of old-guard players Stamkos and Kucherov, who have been phenomenal for the past two seasons, playing a big part in the teams’ success. Whatever happens, we expect Tampa to make it to the NHL Playoffs in 2022. But, will they manage to make it three consecutive titles?
The bookmakers are backing them as a joint second to do so. Based on last seasons’ form, it feels like the Knights and Avalanche are the only teams that can contest. Granted, the Canadiens were finalists this year. But, the rest of the field just doesn’t seem on their level.
We want to talk about the Wild as they were one of the teams that surprised the bookmakers and excelled in the regular season. The Wild finished third in the West Division just behind the Golden Knights and went as far as the last 16, before missing out to Vegas.
The arrival of Kirill Kaprizov has been fundamental to the success of the team. The 24-year old arrived in the NHL, having spent more time in the NHL than most arrivals from Russia do. This allowed him to develop his game and his first season in the league was won that NHL fans will remember.
As well as Kaprizov, Fiala and Eriksson Ek showed their worth last season. While many don’t expect them to win the league, they have great potential and after seeing what the Canadiens managed in 2021, anything is possible. If they are smart about players coming in and out, they can shock the league next season.
About the Author
Noelle Matthews is a highly experienced professional in the betting industry, with over 15 years of expertise. She has made significant contributions to leading organizations in the field, including Betfair, ESPN, and Sporting Life. With her deep understanding of sports betting, you can find her insightful and informative reviews, articles, and previews on this platform. Pandora's extensive knowledge and years of experience make her a valuable resource for anyone interested in sports betting.
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