WILLEMSTAD, CURACAO (January 25, 2007) — Now that the 2006-07 NHL season has hit the midway point, the leading Stanley Cup contenders have begun to separate themselves from the pack. Following on from hockey’s All-Star Game last night, PinnacleSports.com today released updated odds to win the Stanley Cup and the Eastern and Western Conference Championships.
The Internet’s largest sports betting site, PinnacleSports.com currently list the Northeast Division leading Buffalo Sabres as the early favorite to win the NHL championship at 5/1 odds. Led by defenseman Scott Neidermayer and Chris Pronger, the Anaheim Ducks have been installed with the second-best odds at 11/2. With reigning Hart Trophy and scoring title winner Joe Thornton having another great season and Vesa Toskala playing terrific in goal, the San Jose Sharks are solid title contenders at 8/1 odds. Although they currently hold a league-best 71 points, PinnacleSports.com lists the Nashville Predators at just 9/1 to capture the Stanley Cup. The Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators are both currently listed at 12/1 despite not leading their own divisions at the All-Star break.
PinnacleSports.com lists Mikka Kirpusoff, Jerome Iginla and the Calgary Flames at 17/1 to become the first Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup since 1993. Martin Brodeur and the Atlantic Division-leading New Jersey Devils also stand at 17/1, while the Southeast leaders Atlanta are 19/1 to win the first title in the franchise’s history. PinnacleSports.com lists individual odds on other Canadian teams currently in the playoff hunt winning the Stanley Cup including: Vancouver (21/1), Montreal (22/1), Toronto (75/1) and Edmonton (80/1). Meanwhile, the reigning world champion Carolina Hurricanes are currently 31/1 long shots to repeat this season.
The Buffalo Sabres are also favorites to win the Eastern Conference Championship and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals at 8/5 odds. Ottawa has the second best odds to win the East at 5/1 followed by New Jersey at 7/1 and Atlanta at 8/1. In the Western Conference, Anaheim has been inserted as a slight 3/1 favorite over San Jose (4/1) and Nashville (9/2).
PinnacleSports.com offers the most comprehensive wagering options on each game throughout the entire NHL season including: first period wagering on money lines and totals; spreads, money lines and totals for regulation time only; and spreads, money lines and totals on full games including overtime or shootouts. For more information and a complete list of hockey odds, please visit www.pinnaclesports.com.
Current Odds: All Odds Subject To Change
Odds To Win 2007 Stanley CupBuffalo Sabres 5/1 Anaheim Ducks 11/2 San Jose Sharks 8/1 Nashville Predators 9/1 Ottawa Senators 12/1 Detroit Red Wings 12/1 Calgary Flames 17/1 New Jersey Devils 17/1 Atlanta Thrashers 19/1 Vancouver Canucks 21/1 Montreal Canadians 22/1 Dallas Stars 26/1 Pittsburgh Penguins 29/1 Carolina Hurricanes 31/1 Minnesota Wild 41/1 Tampa Bay Lightning 44/1 New York Rangers 52/1 Colorado Avalanche 55/1 Toronto Maple Leafs 75/1 Edmonton Oilers 80/1 Any Other Team 200/1
Odds To Win Eastern Conference ChampionshipBuffalo Sabres 8/5 Ottawa Senators 5/1 New Jersey Devils 7/1 Atlanta Thrashers 8/1 Montreal Canadians 12/1 Pittsburgh Penguins 17/1 Carolina Hurricanes 18/1 Tampa Bay Lightning 22/1 New York Rangers 26/1 Toronto Maple Leafs 40/1 Any Other Team 75/1
Odds To Win Western Conference ChampionshipAnaheim Ducks 3/1 San Jose Sharks 4/1 Nashville Predators 9/2 Detroit Red Wings 7/1 Calgary Flames 9/1 Vancouver Canucks 16/1 Dallas Stars 18/1 Minnesota Wild 24/1 Colorado Avalanche 35/1 Edmonton Oilers 50/1 Any Other Team 81/1