Stanley Cup Odds Update at All-Star Break: Lightning Favored at 7-1

• BetOnline has reinstalled Tampa Bay (+700) as Stanley Cup favorites with the Lightning surging (12-3-0) in their past 15
  
• The Canucks (+1600) and Blue Jackets (+2500) are also flying up the board at the All-Star break
  
• Nathan MacKinnon and the Avalanche are a strong value at +1400 

While oddsmakers believe the Lightning will find it difficult to overtake Boston’s eight-point lead in the Atlantic division, they’re bullish on the club’s chances to win Lord Stanley, reinstalling the preseason Cup favorites on top of the board at +700.

The question is whether Tampa Bay is built for playoff hockey after last year’s humiliating sweep at the hands of the Blue Jackets, or if you would be better off placing a bet on a team with longer odds?

Let’s examine all the risers and fallers at BetOnline as we head into the NHL All-Star break.

STANLEY CUP ODDS TRENDING UPWARDS

What slow start? With a 12-3-0 record in their past 15 games, the Lightning have cut their title odds in half over the past month, jumping from +1400 to a +700 favorite. Washington (+900) and Boston (+1000) are next on the board, followed by the surging Penguins.

Sidney Crosby’s recent return from injury boosted Pittsburgh’s odds to win the Metropolitan division, as well as his odds of winning a fourth Stanley Cup (+1200) this season.

How did six teams pass on Quinn Hughes at the NHL Draft?@harmandayal2 with the inside story of how Hughes fell to the #Canucks at seventh overall in 2018.https://t.co/d27IY4cvM7

— The Athletic Vancouver (@TheAthleticVAN) January 23, 2020

Winners of 11 of 14 games before the break, the Canucks have skyrocketed from +3300 to +1600, but while Vancouver is leading the Pacific, their spot on the top is tenuous with Edmonton, Calgary, Arizona and Vegas all within one-point of the division lead.

And let’s hear it for the always-entertaining John Tortorella and the Blue Jackets, who are in a playoff wildcard spot after going 16-2-4 since December 9. Riding the hot goaltending of young Elvis Merzlikins, Columbus’ odds have risen from the dead (+15000 to +2500) over the past month.

STANLEY CUP ODDS HEADING DOWNHILL

Considering they have a consensus top-two player in the NHL in Nathan MacKinnon and Calder-favorite Cale Makar on the blueline, now’s the time to place a bet on the Avalanche. Colorado’s odds have lengthened from +900 to +1400 despite having the second-best point total in the Western Conference after the Central-leading Blues (+1200).

The Coyotes’ odds moved from +2500 to +1200 after the team acquired Taylor Hall in December, but Arizona is back at +1600 after a stretch of .500 hockey.

Nathan MacKinnon is having an unbelievable season.

Already. #NHLAllStar #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/eeKiC0Xcuz

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) January 24, 2020

Meanwhile, Vegas’ odds (+1600) are at a season-low after the surprise firing of coach Gerald Gallant. It’s worth nothing that his replacement Peter DeBoer has led two different teams to the Cup Final.

Speaking of solid coaches, Barry Trotz’s Islanders have seen their odds dip to +2500 after a cold stretch, but they continue to hold down a playoff spot at the break.

Best Bet: Colorado Avalanche (+1400)