Tampa Bay-Colorado Looks Like the Best Stanley Cup Finals in Years
Avalanche open as decisive favourites to win the 2022 Stanley Cup at Spreads.ca
Tampa Bay Lightning aim for first three-peat in North American sports (NHL, NBA, MLB, NFL) since the 2002 Los Angeles Lakers, twenty years ago
Colorado Avalanche are well rested, ready to prove why they've been the odds-on choice of many NHL experts
The 2021-22 NHL season began 1,407 games ago. Now, after eight months and three playoff rounds, most will probably agree that it all comes down to the best two teams in hockey who will be competing for the Stanley Cup trophy.
No one can argue that Colorado didn't deserve to be the odds-on favourite to win it all based on their NHL-best W-L record and the impressive manner in which the Avalanche demolished their opposition in the playoffs.
And Tampa Bay merits just as much universal acclaim for having reached the finals for a third consecutive year and now has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to achieve something that hasn't occurred in more than 40 seasons -- three straight championships.
This promises to be an exciting and likely unpredictable best-of-seven series with outstanding talent on both sides of the ice.
We shall see if Tampa Bay can three-peat and rightfully take their spot among NHL dynasties, or Colorado will win its first Stanley Cup in 21 seasons.
Game 1 drops the puck on Wednesday night in Denver.
On a 1.00 wager, Spreads.ca lists the Avalanche as 1.57 favourites based on their dominant season.
Tampa Bay is listed at 2.50, which is a little surprising given the depth of their talent and experience.
What's even more of a surprise for Lightning bettors is the "Boosted Odds" on Tampa Bay to win the cup at 3.00, which is probably the best odds anywhere to be found on the reigning champions.
Here's the Boosted Odds at Spreads.ca (check back later for much more):
Prediction (powered by Pointspreads.ca):
This matchup is closer than the odds suggest and that will form the basis of our wager.
We agree that the Avalanche deserve to be favoured, but should they really vbe laying this high a price?
We don't think so.
Over the past three seasons, the Lightning never seem to get much respect despite winning 11 consecutive playoff series. Even this season, they were small dogs in round one, even money in round two, and small faves in round three. Now, they're significant underdogs.
That represents value betting on a proven team with a little extra to prove.
We especially like the "Boosted Odds," which means the Lightning hoisting the 2022 Stanley Cup pays back 2-1 odds.
We'll take that number with a potential three-peat dynasty in the making.
