The Tampa Bay Lightning won Stanley Cup for the second successive season in 2021. However, Vegas oddsmakers made Colorado Avalanche the opening favorite to lift the trophy in 2022.
View the latest betting odds for the NHL Stanley Cup.
Stanley Cup Odds 2022
NHL Stanley Cup 2022 Leading Contenders
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning failed to live up to expectations in the playoffs in the 2019 season, but they’ve made that experience count by winning the last two Stanley Cups.
Boston Bruins
The Bruins have to be considered among the favorites for the Stanley Cup. The key question is whether they will be able to retain that regular season momentum after a lengthy lay-off, particularly given that some on their roster are at the veteran stage of their careers.
Vegas Golden Knights
Despite the franchise itself having little history, there is a wealth of playoff experience on the Knights’ roster. On the downside, they could miss playing any games in front of their own fans in their Las Vegas fortress.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avs performed admirably in the regular season given the number of injury absences they had to contend with. They should have a healthy roster for the restart, although there is a concern as to a relative lack of postseason experience.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers were one of the form teams in the NHL in the two months prior to the suspension, but will the lengthy break have stopped their momentum?
The enforced break enabled the Flyers to benefit from the injury recoveries of James van Riemsdyk (hand), Nate Thompson (knee sprain) and Philippe Myers (fractured patella in right knee).
St. Louis Blues
The former Stanley Cup champions finished top of the Western Conference last season despite the lengthy absence of Vladimir Tarasenko due to a shoulder injury. He should be back though to augment a team that will be high on self-belief and team spirit. Retaining the trophy isn’t beyond the realms of possibility for the Blues.
Washington Capitals
Stanley Cup winners in 2018, the Caps still retain many of the same names on their roster today. Any team able to call upon Alex Ovechkin has to be a contender, while the addition of another veteran Russian in Ilya Kovalchuk before the shutdown adds to their firepower.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins are definitely capable of challenging for the Stanley Cup, with them possessing plenty of quality on their roster in the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Dallas Stars
The Stars were very strong in defense during the regular season, but struggled for goals themselves in attack. The lack of firepower was probably their undoing as they finished as gutsy runners-up to the Tampa Bay Lightning last year.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs has an offense that can cause problems for any opposition team. They could also give another opportunity to their prolific teenage prospect Nicholas Robertson.
Edmonton Oilers
Although the Oilers are not seen as one of the favorites for the Stanley Cup, they undoubtedly have a potential game-changer on their roster in Connor McDavid. They can also count on Hart Trophy candidate Leon Draisaitl, but is the supporting cast good enough?
Nashville Predators
The Predators might not be the force they were a few seasons back and they generally failed to impress during the regular season. However, they still have an experienced and talented roster and they will be hoping they can gain some momentum in the new season.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who is the Stanley Cup named after?
The Stanley Cup is named after Sir Frederick Arthur Stanley, lord of Preston and the 16th earl of Derby who donated the cup. It was originally given in the 1892–93 season, and is the oldest trophy in North America that can be won by professional players. Frederick Arthur, Lord Stanley of Preston was a governor-general of Canada.
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Who won the Stanley Cup in 2021?
On July 7, Tampa Bay Lightning won the trophy for the second successive season by beating the Montreal Canadiens by 4-1
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Who has won the most Stanley Cups?
- Montreal Canadiens - 24
- Toronto Maple Leafs - 13
- Detroit Red Wings - 11
- Boston Bruins - 6
- Chicago Blackhawks - 6
- Edmonton Oilers - 5
- Pittsburgh Penguins - 5
- New York Islanders - 4
- New York Rangers - 4