Tampa Bay Lightning favored in top two to win Stanley Cup
By Matt Matera
The Tampa Bay Lightning is heavily favored to go the distance this season and, according to a number of sports betting sites, bring home the Stanley Cup.
As if they weren’t high enough already, it’s now officially set that the expectation is for the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the Stanley Cup. According to Sportsbook Review, gambling websites such as Bovada, Sports Betting Dime, and Odds Shark, the Bolts are listed at 5/2 odds, or +850 to win it all, which puts them at the second best odds.
The Las Vegas Super Book even has them as the odds-on favorite at 7/1, better known as +700.
It’s not just the fans in Tampa that have big hope for their team. The entire NHL community is now looking for it also.
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The only other team that has gained better odds than Tampa Bay is their fellow Atlantic Conference adversary from up north, the Toronto Maple Leafs. You may have heard that they signed John Tavares in free agency.
It’s no surprise to anyone that the Lightning is in the top two of favorites to win it all. Coming within one game of reaching the Stanley Cup Final and not losing any major assets will grant those formidable predictions.
Let’s not forget either, the Lightning is carrying the burden for all of Tampa Bay’s professional sports teams. There’s no statistical proof of analysis to show this, but in a mentality kind of way, it means something.
The only chance of Tampa not having success this season is either making their own mental mistakes or having another costly injury. They’re too good not to make it back to at least the Eastern Conference Final.
The Lightning does always have some injuries to worry about. Ryan Callahan is the ultimate effort guy but unfortunately has suffered a laundry list of injuries each year throughout his career. Lightning captain Steven Stamkos has had a checkered injury history as well.
The weapons the Lightning has are simply too strong. Bolts forward Nikita Kucherov was in the running for the Rocket Richard trophy last year, defenseman Victor Hedman captured the Norris Memorial Trophy, and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy had an excellent first year as the full-time goalie.
Of course, Steven Stamkos is still Steven Stamkos. He should be one to the best players in the league again this season.
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The oddsmakers like them, the fans love them, and the players are well aware of the expectations. Now that the season is here, the discussion is over and it’s time to hit the ice. The Tampa Bay Lightning is in a Stanley Cup or bust season. They are no secret to anyone who watches.