The NHL is back and expected to start playing games within the next few weeks. And despite not playing in some time, the 2013 Stanley Cup Odds have been released. And even with a shortened season of 48 projected games coming up, the Pittsburgh Penguins are favored to win the Stanley Cup.
According to sportsbook.ag, the Penguins are atop the league with 8/1 odds to hoist the Stanley Cup for the first time since the 2008-09 season. Every year Pittsburgh is considered to be one of the best teams in hockey and a potential threat to win the entire thing, but they've come up short on several occassions.
It doesn't help that both superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have battled some injuries in year's past. Both are considered to be two of the top five or six players in the league and it's a good indicator of why oddsmakers have tabbed them as the top team in hockey to hoist Lord Stanley again. Yet, many believe that the Penguins will only be as good as Marc-Andre Fleury can make them. Goal tending is no doubt huge in a very fast league and the better teams in hockey always have good goalies. Expect that from Fleury this season.
The Pens finished second overall in the Atlantic Division last year to the New York Rangers with 108 points and 51 seasons. Neither of those numbers will be touched this season with such a short schedule, but look for the Penguins to be one of the better overall teams in hockey.
2013 Stanley Cup Finals Odds
Philadelphia Flyers +1500
Tampa Bay Lightning +2500
Nashville Predators +2500
Carolina Hurricanes +3000
Washington Capitals +3000
Toronto Maple Leafs +4000
New York Islanders +10000
Columbus Blue Jackets +10000
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