As we near the end of the NHL's regular season, the Colorado Avalanche appear to be the current favorites to win the Stanley Cup this summer, but the Vegas Golden Knights are quickly rising the ranks of favorites.
According to the BetMGM sportsbook, here are the top 16 best odds, with the Penguins coming in tied with the Islanders for eighth:
1. Avalanche, +400
2. Golden Knights, +700
3. Lightning, +750
4. Maple Leafs, +800
5. Hurricanes, +1000
6. Bruins, +1200
7. Capitals, +1200
8. Penguins, +1600
9. Islanders, +1600
10. Wild, +2000
11. Oilers, +2000
12. Panthers, +2200
13. Jets, +2200
14. Canadiens, +2200
15. Stars, +4000
16. Blues, +4000
This week the Avalanche and Golden Knights will face off, a potential preview of the second round of the playoffs.
The Golden Knights (.745) and Avalanche (.733) have the top point percentages in the league. Vegas leads the West Division ahead of the Avalanche by four points, but the Avalanche have two gams in hand. The Golden Knights are riding a nine-game point streak, the longest in franchise history.
Earlier in the Golden Knights' streak, coach Pete DeBoer said that playing the Avalanche would be a test for his team on this run. The teams were pretty evenly-matched in previous meetings this season, with the Golden Knights having a 3-3 record against the Avalanche, and the Avalanche having a 3-2-1 record against the Golden Knights.
"I like our game," DeBoer said. "I like how we're playing recently. We haven't played Colorado, though, so teams like that that put that type of pressure on you will definitely be a different test."
The first game of that test is Wednesday night.
YOUR TURN: Which team would you bet on to win the Cup at this point? And if the Penguins had to face either the Avalanche or Golden Knights in the playoffs, which would you rather them not have to play?
