Just past the halfway mark of the NHL season, the Chicago Blackhawks have emerged as favorites to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. According to the oddsmakers at Bodog, the Blackhawks are listed at 11/2 in Stanley Cup futures betting; a significant change from the 17/2 odds the Hawks sported on US Thanksgiving weekend.
Chicago is trailed closely by the Pittsburgh Penguins and St. Louis Blues, both pegged at 13/2. The Pens are an impressive 13-3 SU since the beginning of December, placing them atop the Eastern Conference standings and tying them for the league lead in wins. The Blues have been a quiet success story, winning seven of their last eight to keep pace with Chicago in the Central Division. The San Jose Sharks meanwhile, have improved slightly to 15/2, followed by the Boston Bruins, who hold steady at 8/1.
The Anaheim Ducks are 13-2 SU since the end of November, and have yet to lose at home in regulation. However, the Ducks still trail the Stanley Cup futures favorites at 10/1, followed by the Los Angeles Kings; futures odds on the Kings have floated in the teens all season and are currently fixed at 14/1 at Bodog.
The Colorado Avalanche lead the middle of the pack at 20/1, followed by the Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, and Philadelphia Flyers at 25/1.
The Flyers sported odds as long as 40/1 after a slow start, but have won 11 of their last 18 SU to move back into playoff contention. The Lightning and Canadiens both remain within striking distance of the Bruins in the Atlantic Division, but their early successes have not yet translated into improved odds.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fallen to 28/1, along with the Detroit Red Wings and Washington Capitals, while the New York Rangers drop to 33/1.
The Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, and Ottawa Senators sit at 40/1, followed by the New Jersey Devils and Phoenix Coyotes at 50/1, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Dallas Stars at 66/1, and the Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets at 150/1.
Rounding out the pack are the Florida Panthers and New York Islanders at 250/1, followed the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers at 500/1, and the Buffalo Sabres at 1000/1.