The National Hockey League Playoffs are underway! Check out an update on NHL Stanley Cup odds as well as information on how the league took a major step to keep their players happy so you can make your bets against their NHL odds.
NHL COVID-19 Update – August 18th Edition
2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs
- When: August 1 – October
Updated 2020 Stanley Cup Odds
- Boston Bruins +500
- Tampa Bay Lightning +425
- Colorado Avalanche +375
- Vegas Golden Knights +350
- St. Louis Blues +1600
- Philadelphia Flyers +600
- Washington Capitals +7500
- Dallas Stars +1850
- Vancouver Canucks +2200
- Calgary Flames +2000
- Carolina Hurricanes +7500
- New York Islanders +700
- Arizona Coyotes +15000
- Columbus Blue Jackets +1000
- Chicago Blackhawks +30000
- Montreal Canadiens +5500
League and NHLPA set to release family joining protocols for NHL Conference Finals
It’s difficult to think of a more professional, intelligent, response to the coronavirus pandemic than the one put forth by the National Hockey League.
While MLB has struggled, the NHL has created an environment where not a single player has tested positive, there have been close to zero negative statements, and, now, teams that make the Conference Finals can invite their families.
The NHL Players’ Association and the NHL have yet to release particulars. According to multiple sources, the plan includes multiple testing before families arrive, multiple testing and quarantining from players in the first week, and then multiple testing during the family’s stay.
It’s a lot of testing, yes. But, don’t think for a minute that players on teams that make the Conference Finals won’t take advantage.
Players haven’t seen their families since the restart began on August 1. By considering the players and their families, the NHL has again shown that they consider things that don’t include the all mighty dollar.
After first few playoff games, Stanley Cup favorites emerge
The first few playoff games are in the books. Some pre-playoff contenders have all but been eliminated. Some pre-postseason longshots have become less than +1000 favorites.
Because they’re 0-3 heading into Game 4 of their best-of-seven series against the New York Islanders, the odds on the Washington Capitals have skyrocketed from around +2000 before the playoffs to +7500.
The odds on the Islanders have dropped to +700. But those aren’t the only big time odds changes. Boston, up 3-1 against Carolina, are now at +500.
Tampa has shown they won’t bow to first round pressure in 2020 like they did in 2019. The Lightning are up 3-1 against Columbus. Their odds are down to +425.
Tampa Bay and Boston are two of the favorites to win the Cup. The other two squads are the Colorado Avalanche, up 3-1 against Arizona, and the Vegas Golden Knights, up 3-1 versus Chicago.
Those four teams should continue to garner the most Stanley Cup betting action. Don’t ignore the Islanders, though. The Islanders didn’t allow the Caps to score more than 2 goals in any of their three victories.
Have a great week!
