Let’s have a look at the 2022 Stanley Cup futures picks.
2022 Stanley Cup Betting Predictions
The Colorado Avalanche posted the NHL’s best regular-season record during the 2021 season. The Avs seemed poised to finally live up to their potential and win the Stanley Cup. Instead, they came up short in a second-round showdown against the Vegas Golden Knights. The oddsmakers aren’t about to give up on the Avalanche, however. Online betting sites are establishing Colorado as the 7.00 betting line favourite to win the 2021-22 Stanley Cup.
- The Colorado Avalanche are 7.00 favourites to win the 2021-22 Stanley Cup title
- The Tampa Bay Lightning are listed at odds of 8.00 as they seek a third straight Cup victory
- Bettors can access 26.00 odds on the 2021 Stanley Cup finalist Montreal Canadiens
There’s a theory in sports that teams must learn to deal with loss in order to learn how to win. A prime example of that are the reigning two-time Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning. In 2018-19, the Lightning tied the NHL single-season record by winning 62 games. In the playoffs, they were stunningly swept in the opening round by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Since then, Tampa Bay has won back-to-back Stanley Cup.
Perhaps the Colorado Avalanche can go to school on this turnaround in fortunes. The Avs posted the NHL’s best record in 2021. Entering the playoffs, they were the betting choice to win the Stanley Cup. However, when second-line center Nazem Kadri was suspended during the opening round of the playoffs, it threw the Avs off the trail and they were eliminated in the second round by the Vegas Golden Knights.
| Team |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | 7.00 | 6.00 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 8.00 | 6.50 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 9.50 | 7.50 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 13.00 | 11.00 |
| Boston Bruins | 13.00 | 16.00 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 15.00 | 13.00 |
Will this disappointment be the catalyst to finally put Colorado over the top? Which other teams will be looking to derail the Avs yet again?
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche took a step in the right direction by getting Norris Trophy finalist defenseman Cale Makar’s name on a new contract. However, both captain Gabriel Landeskog and goaltender Philipp Grubauer remain without new deals.
Top scorers Nathan MacKinnon and Mikki Rantanen team with Landeskog to form one of the NHL’s most potent forward lines. Colorado has been on the cusp of winning the Stanley Cup two years in a row. Injuries scuttled the 2020 run by the Avs. Management must decide whether it’s simply maturity and a bit of good fortune the team needs, or is roster tweaking necessary?
Tampa Bay Lightning
Just the second team to win back-to-back Stanley Cups during the NHL’s salary cap era, the latter could prove the biggest stumbling block to a Bolts threepeat. Tampa Bay’s playoff roster was $18 million over the cap.
Regardless, they’ll still have Hart (Nikita Kucherov), Norris (Victor Hedman) and Vezina (Andrei Vasilevskiy) Trophy winners around which to build. Lightning GM Julien BriseBois has proven to be a master ninja at working the cap while also improving his team. Don’t count Tampa Bay out.
Vegas Golden Knights
Cup finalists in 2017-18, conference finalists the past two seasons, Vegas is right there with the top contenders.
However, they need a No. 1 center. Vegas figures to be players in the sweepstakes as the Buffalo Sabres look to move center Jack Eichel.
Toronto Maple Leafs
From Auston Matthews to Mitch Marner to William Nylander, Toronto is loaded with talent.
However, until they win a playoff series – something the team hasn’t done since 2004 – can the Maple Leafs be taken seriously as a Stanley Cup contender?
New York Rangers
Seeking a value bet? The Rangers just might be that play. There’s a deep, young core led by Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox and goaltender Igor Shesterkin.
Up front, Artemi Panarin is a Hart Trophy contender and Mika Zinbanejad is a lethal finisher.
Montreal Canadiens
Historically, teams making surprising Stanley Cup playoff runs regress in the ensuing season. Take the Dallas Stars. The 2020 Cup finalists didn’t make the playoffs in 2021.
The same fate could await the Canadiens. Already, things are going south. A combination of thumb, ankle, foot and knee ailments may end the career of captain Shea Weber. He’s definitely out next season. Goalie Carey Price will undergo offseason knee surgery.
Where to Bet On The 2021-22 NHL Season
There are a number of leading online betting sites that will provide bettors with the chance to place a wager on NHL games, props, futures and awards lines for the 2021 season. The best bet you can make is to shop around in advance and seek out the right deal before joining one of these sportsbooks. Check out Sports Interaction and Bet99 as examples.
The signup bonus offers that are in place at all of these recommended sites will prove advantageous to the bettor. And since you’ll get a good deal wherever you go, why not check out several sites and find the ideal fit for your needs?
Do you want a risk-free first bet as a signup bonus? Perhaps you find a no-deposit bonus to be enticing. Or maybe you simply like the feel of cold, hard cash in your account and you want to go for a matching first deposit bonus. Whatever option you choose, you’re already a winner.
Remember that new players and returning customers are eligible for better bonuses when they deposit using Bitcoin. As well, take advantage of the betting advice offered at these sites to help newcomers acclimatize to sports betting.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the right one for you:
