By Dave Vest
The Colorado Avalanche (+450) and Tampa Bay Lightning (+550) are the popular picks to win the Stanley Cup in 2021-22. Tampa Bay is trying for a rare three-peat in pro sports, and Colorado is looking to break through after head-scratching early exits from the Stanley Cup Playoffs the past four seasons.
They’re both logical picks to win the NHL title in June, but there are other teams that are better values at the betting windows as the NHL returns to its standard 82-game format this season, complete with fans in the seats.
Vegas Golden Knights (+700)
The Golden Knights have reached the playoffs every season since joining the NHL in 2017-18, and they’re poised for another deep run in the postseason.
They play in the Pacific Division, arguably the weakest division in the league. That will enable Vegas to bank plenty of points and gain momentum as the season moves along.
Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty and William Karlsson are seasoned scorers who will lead Vegas offensively.
The Golden Knights traded Vezina Trophy winner Marc-Andre Fleury to Chicago in the offseason, but goaltender Robin Lehner should thrive in a full-time role.
OUR FIRST EVER @espn GOAL!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/TV9o3gwRu2
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) October 13, 2021
New York Islanders (+1900)
The Islanders are a hardworking, disciplined team that reached the Eastern Conference Final each of the past two seasons, where they fell to Tampa Bay both times.
New York lost top-line forward Jordan Eberle to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft, but signed Kyle Palmieri just before the season began. Look for him to fill Eberle’s spot alongside Anders Lee and Mathew Barzal. Meanwhile, veteran Zach Parise should make some noise playing for pride on a one-year contract.
Goalie Semyon Varlamov, who has won 18 playoff games for the Islanders in his two seasons with the team, co-led the NHL with seven shutouts in 36 games.
The Islanders are playing home games in a new building this season: UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. The excitement surrounding that, plus a schedule loaded with home games in March and April, will bode well for New York.
Edmonton Oilers (+2200)
The Oilers have been bounced from the playoffs rather quickly the past two seasons, but they’ve added some scoring help to ease the pressure off NHL MVP Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Forwards Zach Hyman, Warren Foegele and Derek Ryan have joined Edmonton.
So has veteran defenseman Duncan Keith, who won three Stanley Cups and two Norris Trophies while with the Chicago Blackhawks. His leadership should prove invaluable to a team that has been more sizzle than steak the past few seasons.
Mike Smith, who is 39 years old, isn’t a star in the league anymore, but he’s still capable of leading a good team deep into the playoffs.
Who else? Where else? #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/nn6vcc4mZi
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 20, 2021
Minnesota Wild (+2500)
Kirill Kaprizov, the reigning Rookie of the Year, is a superstar in waiting. This was clear last season when he notched 27 goals and 51 points, and played a key role in the Wild’s limited, yet impressive, playoff run; they took Vegas to seven games but lost in the first round.
Minnesota has rid itself of the lucrative, long-term contracts it gave Ryan Suter and Zach Parise years ago. Those buyouts should breathe new life into a young team on the cusp of becoming a serious contender.
Jordan Greenway, Joel Eriksson Ek and Kevin Fiala should produce secondary scoring behind Kaprizov, who signed a five-year contract before the season started.
Look for Minnesota native Alex Goligoski to jump-start his career playing in the top defensive pairing, and for goalie Cam Talbot to build on a solid season he notched in 2020-21.
Montreal Canadiens (+2800)
Expectations are low for the Canadiens, who reached the Stanley Cup Finals last season. But they should not be overlooked.
Yes, Montreal lost defenseman Phillip Danault and forward Corey Perry via free agency, and goalie Carey Price began the season on the sidelines in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. Plus, captain Shea Weber is out for the entire season because of injury.
However, the Canadiens have a confident, young core of players who tasted success last season and are hungry for more. That group includes Tyler Toffoli, Nick Suzuki and Cole Caulfield; and Caulfield is expected to compete for Rookie of the Year honors.
Plus, Montreal quietly added well-traveled sniper Mike Hoffman and gritty center Christian Dvorak to the mix in the offseason. They both should provide a boost.
The key will be goalie Jake Allen, who began the season as the starter in Price’s absence. He helped St. Louis win the Stanley Cup in 2019.
Mon doux seigneur.
Cole Caufield's first home playoff goal is a beauty.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/n3lq26tPGf
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) June 19, 2021
Picture Credit: Google Creative Commons Licenses
