Odds to Win Stanley Cup

The Detroit Red Wings still have the best odds to win this season's Stanley Cup, but there is still a lot of hockey to play and anything can happen.

The Red Wings (+300) are battling with the San Jose Sharks for the number one seed in the Western Conference The Red Wings are the highest scoring team in the NHL (3.67 goals per game), so if their D improves a little they will be tough to stop in the post season. Both Ty Conklin and Chris Osgood have been mediocre between the pipes, but come playoff time Conklin may get the nod, as Osgood only ranks 43rd in terms of save percentage. Still, the Red Wings are the defending champs and their offense is awesome.

The Sharks (+380) are trying to get the number one seed in the Western Conference and, besides Boston, they are the only team with a goal differential above 1. Even though G Evgeni Nabokov is among the league leaders in wins, his is only in the middle of the pack, in terms of save percentage. The Sharks D is one of the best in the NHL and they can light the lamp often, so the Sharks are a good pick, but can they get past the Red Wings?

It looks as if the Bruins (+600) will get the number one seed in the Eastern Conference and the main reason is their D, which is giving up the fewest goals per game. Both Bruins' goalies, Tim Thomas Manny Fernandez, currently rank 1st and 3rd in goals against average, which will be huge in the post-season. It also helps that the Bruins have 3 players that are currently in the top 5 in terms of +/-.

The Capitals (+800) will battle for the number 2 seed in the East, which will be huge, as they are one of the best home teams in the NHL. Alex Ovechkin is in the top 3 in both points and goals scored, but if the Caps are going to make a run their D will have to step up. Their D is allowing just over 2.81 goals per game. G Jose Theodore only has a save percentage of just over 90%.

The Devils (+1200) are in a fight for the number 2 seed with the Capitals, but does that really matter, as the Caps are one of the best road teams in the league. Their D is great and Scott Clemmensen is having a solid season between the pipes.

The Canadiens (+1200) will make the playoffs, but can they do anything once there? They currently have a negative goal differential and they are giving up an average of almost 3 goals per game.

The Flames (+1500) are, pretty much, assured a playoff spot, but they need to move up in the standings to host more playoff games, as they are not a good road team. Even though their offense is sweet, their D is giving up an average of almost 3 goals per game.

The Blackhawks (+1500) may be a good dark horse pick, as they have one of the best defenses in the league and they currently have the third best goal differential (+.87). Chicago plays great team hockey and they will be a force to deal with in the post season.

Oh how the mighty Penguins (+1800) have fallen. The defending Eastern Conference champions recently fired their head coach and they currently are in the 10th position in the East. Finals one year out of the playoffs the next? It could be the case in Pittsburgh, as even though Evgeni Malkin and Sideny Crosby rank 1st and 3rd respectively in points, the Penguins simply can't play D, as they are giving up just over 3 goals per game.

Other teams in the playoff race, but need to improve if they are going to hoist the Stanley Cup are the Flyers (+2000), Rangers (+2500), and Stars (+3000).

Here are the odds at Sportsbook.com to win this season's Stanley Cup:

• Detroit Red Wings +300
• San Jose Sharks +300
• Boston Bruins +600
• Washington Capitals +800
• New Jersey Devils +1200
• Montreal Canadiens +1200
• Calgary Flames +1500
• Chicago Blackhawks +1500
• Pittsburgh Penguins +1800
• Philadelphia Flyers +2000
• New York Rangers +2500
• Dallas Stars +3000
• Anaheim Ducks +4000
• Buffalo Sabres +4000
• Edmonton Oilers +4000
• Vancouver Canucks +4000
• Minnesota Wild +5000
• Carolina Hurricanes +6000
• Florida Panthers +6000
• Los Angeles Kings +10000
• Colorado Avalanche +10000
• Toronto Maple Leafs +10000
• New York Islanders +10000
• Columbus Blue Jackets +10000
• Nashville Predators +10000
• St Louis Blues +10000
• Tampa Bay Lightning +10000
• Phoenix Coyotes +10000
• Ottawa Senators +10000
• Atlanta Thrashers +10000