We’re just hours removed from the St. Louis Blues’ first Stanley Cup in franchise history and we already have a favorite for next year’s champions.
The early odds through the world’s largest Las Vegas sports book, Westgate Sportsbook, has the Tampa Bay Lightning sitting pretty at 6/1 odds.
Early odds for next season's #StanleyCup Champions...
— NBC Sports Bet (@NBCSportsBet) June 13, 2019
TB 6/1
VGK 7/1
BOS 10/1
COL 10/1
TOR 10/1
STL 14/1
SJ 16/1
WPG 16/1
CGY 20/1
PIT 20/1
WSH 20/1
The Lightning were the favorites on the ice this year after a 62-win season that tied an NHL record for most victories during the regular season. But Tampa received a shock exit in Round 1, getting swept by the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Vegas Golden Knights follow closely behind at 7/1. Vegas, like Tampa, was bounced in Round 1 by the San Jose Sharks, but boast a team that now includes Mark Stone, who signed a big-money extension when he was acquired at the trade deadline in February. And it’s safe to assume, given recent history, that the Golden Knights will be looking to improve further this offseason.
Three teams sit at 10/1 odds, including this year’s Stanley Cup runners up in the Boston Bruins.
Boston lost in Game 7 to the Blues on Wednesday but will have the same core and the same goalie in Tuukka Rask heading into next season. They also have some good, young talent and could do well by keeping Marcus Johansson, who joined the team at the deadline.
The Colorado Avalanche, who pick at the No. 4 spot at the 2019 NHL Draft, join the Bruins at 10/1, as do the Toronto Maple Leafs.
This year’s Cup champs?
The Blues, who were in last place in the NHL on Jan. 3, are at 14/1 to repeat this season’s result.
Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck