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

 

TEAM ODDS
Pittsburgh Penguins 6/1
Edmonton Oilers 9/1
Tampa Bay Lightning 12/1
Washington Capitals 12/1
Chicago Blackhawks 12/1
Minnesota Wild 12/1
Toronto Maple Leafs 14/1
Nashville Predators 14/1
Anaheim Ducks 14/1
Dallas Stars 14/1
Montreal Canadiens 16/1
New York Rangers 16/1
San Jose Sharks 20/1
Los Angeles Kings 20/1
Columbus Blue Jackets 25/1
Ottawa Senators 30/1
Boston Bruins 30/1
St. Louis Blues 30/1
Calgary Flames 30/1
Florida Panthers 40/1
New York Islanders 50/1
Philadelphia Flyers 50/1
Winnipeg Jets 50/1
Buffalo Sabres 60/1
Carolina Hurricanes 60/1
Colorado Avalanche 100/1
Detroit Red Wings 200/1
New Jersey Devils 200/1
Arizona Coyotes 200/1
Vancouver Canucks 200/1
Vegas Golden Knights 200/1

Jim Cerny