Oilers could be Pens biggest threat
The Penguins are favored to win the 2017-18 Stanley Cup but which team will be Pittsburgh’s biggest threat?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Penguins are 8/1 favorites to win the Stanley Cup this upcoming season. The team with the next-best odds are the Oilers at 9/1, followed by the Lightning at 10/1. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, are 12/1 to win it all, as are the Wild and Capitals, respectively.
Continuing with the odds, the Ducks, Stars, Predators and Maple Leafs are all 14/1, respectively, to win the Stanley Cup next season. The Canadiens and Rangers, meanwhile, are 16/1, respectively. The Kings and Sharks are both 20/1, respectively, followed by the Blue Jackets at 25/1.
The mid-range long-shots including the Bruins, Senators and Blues, who are 30/1, respectively, followed by the Flame at 40/1. Several teams are 50/1 to win the Stanley Cup, including the Sabres, Panthers, Islanders and Flyers. The Jets are 60/1, followed by the Hurricanes at 80/1 and the Avalanche at 100/1.
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The teams with the longest odds to win it all are the Coyotes and Red Wings at 175/1, respectively, followed by the Devils, Canucks and Golden Knights, who are all 200/1, respectively, to win the Stanley Cup next season.
So in terms of the odds, the Oilers have the next-best chance to win the Stanley Cup behind the Penguins. Whether or not they’re the biggest threat remains to be seen, although they certainly have the talent. They came within one game of reaching the Western Conference Final last season behind 20-year-old center Connor McDavid, who won the Hart Tropy as the NHL most valuable player. McDavid also earned the Art Ross Trophy as its leadering scorer with 100 points (30 goals, 70 assits).
The Oilers also have a budding star in 21-year-old forward Leon Draisaitl, who finished eighth in the league in scoring with 77 points and led the Oilers in the Stanley Cup playoffs with 16 points in 13 games. Cam Talbot, who started a league-leading 73 games and tied Braden Holtby of the Capitals for the NHL lead with 42 wins, returns in net.