The Washington Capitals finished the regular season with the NHL’s best record for the second year in a row, but they are not entering the playoffs as the odds on favorites to win the Stanley Cup.
On Monday afternoon the folks at Bovada released their latest Stanley Cup odds before the start of the postseason and have the Chicago Blackhawks as the top favorites (4/1) to win it all.
The Capitals, the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference, have the second best overall odds (9/2) and are followed by the Minnesota Wild and defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins.
Seeing the Wild so high on the list is a bit of a surprise given their struggles down the stretch.
The St. Louis Blues (33/1) enter the playoffs as the biggest long shot.
Even though the Blackhawks ended the regular season on a four-game losing streak (0-2-2) they were still 20-6-4 over the final 30 games of the regular season.
Here are the complete odds, via Bovada, entering the playoffs.
Chicago Blackhawks 4/1
Washington Capitals 9/2
Minnesota Wild 8/1
Pittsburgh Penguins 8/1
Columbus Blue Jackets 10/1
Anaheim Ducks 14/1
Montreal Canadiens 14/1
New York Rangers 14/1
San Jose Sharks 14/1
Edmonton Oilers 16/1
Calgary Flames 25/1
Boston Bruins 25/1
Nashville Predators 25/1
Toronto Maple Leafs 25/1
Ottawa Senators 28/1
St. Louis Blues 33/1