NHL Stanley Cup betting update

The NHL is currently having a break as the top players represent their countries in the Winter Olympics. However, when the season resumes on February 1st there are still several teams in the hunt for a spot in the play-offs and with around twenty games left for most sides a lot can change. Three of the league`s six divisions are currently being decided by one point or less, making this one of the most interesting seasons in recent memory.

The Chicago Blackhawks have been made favourites to win the Stanley Cup, priced at 9/2 (bet $20 to win $90 profit). The Blackhawks top the Central Division with 87 points, the third highest total in the league. Chicago is also on a four-game winning streak but the break for the Winter Olympics may cause them to lose some of the momentum the have built up in recent games.

With 90 points the Washington Capitals lead the league and are 27 points ahead of their nearest rivals in the Souteastern Conference. The Capitals have been made second favourites at 11/2, behind Chicago because of the Blackhawks` momentum and the idea that Washington`s division is not particularly strong.

The San Jose Sharks are next, priced at 6/1. The Sharks are on 89 points and are coming out of a tough division in the Pacific Conference, which they lead by ten points. As one of only three teams with a clear lead, the Sharks are given a good chance at glory this year by the bookmakers.

Following San Jose are the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7/1 with Paddy Power. The Penguins are in second place in the Atlantic Conference and have played one game more than the New Jersey Devils but seem to be given some extra strength on the back of their away record. Pittsburgh have recorded eighteen away wins this season and if they can pick their home form up it seems likely that they will have too much for the Devils, who are at 10/1, come the end of the season.

The Vancouver Canucks are priced at 14/1 and are part of what makes the league so special this year, tied on both points and games played with Colorado, who are 36/1. The Canucks may be seen as a stronger team due to their superior goal difference, which is +42 compared to the Avalanche`s +20. However, both teams will have a difficult road to the Finals, as they are in the same division as both the Blackhawks and the Sharks.

In conference betting, Washington have been made favourites to win the Eastern Conference at 21/10, followed by Pittsburgh at 10/3 and the New Jersey Devils at 11/2 with Bet 365. Chicago are the frontrunners in the Eastern Conference betting at 9/4, ahead of the Sharks at 3/1 and Vancouver at 8/1 with Skybet.

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