NHL futures: Is the new favorite to win the Stanley Cup a safe bet?
This probably comes as no surprise, but the Edmonton Oilers are the new betting favorite to win the Stanley Cup. But should you pause and think twice before putting your money on them to win it all?
Thanks to a record-chasing 16-game winning streak, Connor McDavid and Co. catapulted multiple teams to top DraftKings' list of future champions and head into the NHL All-Star break as 7-1 favorites to hoist Lord Stanley's Mug. At the rate they've been going since last dropping a game on Dec. 19, it's easy to see why fans could be buying into the magic and putting their money down.
Are the Oilers as safe of a bet to win the Stanley Cup as they appear to be heading into the break?
While Edmonton's 16-game winning streak has made them a betting favorite, it hasn't completely catapulted them to the top of the standings. Remember, they were actually on par with the San Jose Sharks as one of the worst teams in the league back in November. While a coaching change certainly seemed to be just what the doctor ordered, the current streak has only brought them up to 59 points, which makes them third in the Pacific Division and just a couple of points better than a wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
There is a belief that the Oilers' winning ways are sustainable. It will absolutely have to be if they want to ensure a ticket to postseason play.
That would be an amazing feat given what their schedule looks like coming out of the break. Edmonton's opponents over the winning streak have been a mixed bag, with their more impressive victories coming against tough but inconsistent clubs like the New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings. Plus, the Oilers didn't win all of those games handily, like a 2-1 shootout win against a sub-par Montreal Canadiens squad. When Edmonton returns to action after the break, however, they start on the road against the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights and will also travel to face a surging Dallas Stars team.
A win against the Golden Knights would be huge for the Oilers' odds, especially since BetMGM points out they would face each other in the first round of the playoffs if the postseason started right now. But if they struggle against this Pacific Division foe, bettors will likely be wishing they had wagered elsewhere.
Still thinking the Oilers are a safe bet now that they are the betting favorite to win the Stanley Cup? Consider waiting until a couple of games after the All-Star break to throw your money down.
More must-reads: