2017 NHL Playoffs Predictions
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- 2017-18 NHL Season Early Stanley Cup Futures Odds
Favorites: Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks
For Capitals fans, their team winning the Presidents’ Trophy is no longer enough. The potential of the Caps during the Alex Ovechkin era has always pointed to at least a deep run in the postseason, but Washington has regularly crashed out of the playoffs right in the very first round.
Having said all of that, the Caps remain a favorite to raise the Stanley Cup this year. The team is stacked with talent on both ends of the ice. Washington, which is priced +375 to win it all, is being propelled by a deep offense that averages over three goals per game—and that despite Alex Ovechkin not putting up usual Ovechkin scoring numbers. The defense is even better with arguably the best goalie today in Braden Holtby acting as a brick wall in front of the net.
Washington isn’t alone in having the shortest odds to win the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks sharing the same +375 odds. Where they differ from Ovi and company is in experience. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane lead a crew that has been in the first round, second round, conference finals, Stanley Cup finals, and on the streets celebrating a title run twice over the past seven seasons.
The ‘Hawks know how it’s like to have a parade downtown with the Cup. And they’re looking to do it again, as they’ve locked up the top seed in the western conference.
Sleeper: Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks are going to ride on the hot goaltending of John Gibson in the playoffs. As of this writing, Gibson is 2-0 with a 1.32 GAA and .960 SV% this month. It’s no secret that fantastic play from a goaltender in the playoffs could win a series for a team. We’ve seen mediocre goalies make an impact for a playoff team before so it’s fair to expect Gibson—a rising star—do the same for the Ducks, who are third in the league in defense with 2.40 goals allowed per game. The Ducks are +1,400 to win the Cup.
Long Shot: Toronto Maple Leafs
Hooray for the Leafs! They booked a spot in the postseason as a wild card, coming up just a point short of earning third place in their division. But their time in the playoffs is likely going to be just short-lived, as they get the Washington Capitals in the first round. Still, Auston Matthews is going to be fun to watch, as he gets his first taste of the playoff grind in the pros, which is something beneficial for the Maple Leafs moving forward. Toronto’s +3,000 price to win the Stanley Cup is the longest among all playoff bound teams.
Writer’s Prediction
Chicago takes the Stanley Cup home, defeating the Capitals in seven games in the finals.
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