2021 NHL Betting Predictions Mention Defending Champions in the Favorites

The new, 2020-21 NHL season will start next week, on the 13th of January. The shortened regular season will be followed by the playoff scheduled for July. Tampa Bay Lightning are the defending champions and one of the main favorites in the 2021 NHL betting predictions. Let’s see their main rivals and their chances to win the 2021 Stanley Cup.  The 104th edition of the National Hockey League, or as more known, NHL will start next week. The late start is due to the amended previous season which finished only in September. The regular season with 56 games is planned to run between 13 January - 8 May. Participating teams will be divided into four divisions with the top four teams advancing to the playoff. Tampa Bay Lightning are the defending champions after defeating Dallas Stars in the Stanley Cup finals in six games. The team which won their second title is in the favorites again along with Colorado and Vegas.

2021 NHL betting predictions favor Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche have 9 division titles beside two Stanley Cup victories. But in recent years the team couldn’t achieve such successes. Last season they finished second in the Western Conference and got to the second round of the playoffs. But they were defeated there 4-3 by the Dallas Stars. They have a solid core of players with the likes of Nathan MacKinnon, who finished as a runner-up in the league MVP award. Or Cale Maker on defense. They can lead the team to even further this season with the odds of +650 to win the cup.

Online sportsbooks in the US mention last year’s winners, Tampa Bay Lightning in the top favorites again. They produced a poor result in the 2018-19 season when they were knocked out in the first round of the playoff. But last season the team managed to go all the way and win their second Stanly Cup. In the 2021 season they will try to win it again under the lead of their captain, Steven Stamkos who is back to 100% after his injury. Lightning have to miss another key player though in the regular season. Forward Nikita Kucherov while he recovers from hip surgery. Their odds to win the title again is +800 in the 2021 NHL betting predictions.

Vegas and Boston can also win the title

Vegas Golden Knights have started to play only three years ago, in the 2017-18 season but have already achieved great successes. They played in the 2018 Stanley Cup finals and finished as a runner-up. Last season they got to the Conference Finals which they lost against Dallas 4-1. Still impressive from the team which signed Alex Pietrangelo from St Louis to strengthen their defense. But Knight won’t have an easy job after playing in the same division as Colorado and St Louis Blues. Their odds to win their first Stanley Cup is +950 on BetOnline.  Online gambling sites in the US also mention Boston Bruins in the favorites with the odds of +1200. Even though the team lost in the second round of the playoff last season. The Bruins have experienced players and signed veteran forward Craig Smith to deepen their squad. Their No1 goalkeeper Tuukka Rask will also return from injury. Toronto Maple Leafs have the same odds to win their 14th Stanley Cup trophy, the first since 1967. The Canadians were knocked out in the qualifying round of the playoff last season. But they have one of the best players in the league, Auston Matthews who can be a big assistance to achieve a great result.

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