BetMGM: Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers And Florida Panthers Emerge As Early Stanley Cup Favorites

When NHL odds opened after the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup in June, only two teams — the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes — were shorter than +1000 to win this year’s Stanley Cup. Now, the Panthers and Oilers join them at the top of the odds table.The NHL season is barely a month old, but four teams have emerged as Stanley Cup favorites. Now, the Panthers and Oilers join them at the top of the odds table as of Oct. 21.Carolina Hurricanes (+700)The defending champions are continuing their momentum from last year, with a league-leading 17 points in 11 games. Related storiesSebastian Aho is tied for 10th amongst all scorers with 14 points. But two others (Andrei Svenikov and Jackson Blake) are tied for 24th with 11 points. And four players (Aho, Svechnikov, Logan Stankoven and Mark Jankowski) have scored six goals. Of course, Carolina’s defense and goaltending has been the biggest key to its success, with Pyotr Kochetkov and Brandan Bussi combining for a 2.45 GAA, which is ranked fifth in the league.Colorado Avalanche (+700)The defending Presidents' Trophy champions are currently the fourth-best team in the Central Division. But let's face it: this is the Central we're talking about. And this is the Avs, whose reputation has them as the team to beat in the West.Led by Nathan MacKinnon, who is tied for sixth in the league with 16 points, Colorado is averaging 4.10 goals per game. Only Edmonton is averaging more goals so for this season.On the defensive end, goalie Mackenzie Blackburn has a sub-.900 save percentage and has been just ok so far. But Scott Wedgewood is 1-1-1 with a .912 save percentage, raising questions as to who will be in net when the season comes to an end.Edmonton Oilers (+800)With a 7-1-1 record, Edmonton currently has the second-best record in the Western Conference. Obviously, the Oilers are being led by Connor McDavid, who leads the NHL with 26 points in nine games — a pace that could see him finish with 242 points. They also have defenseman Evan Bouchard, who is tied for second amongst all scorers with 18 points, as well as Leon Draisaitl, who tied for sixth with 16 points. So much for the talk that coach Mike Babcock would have the Oilers playing a boring defensive system. Maybe that will come when the playoffs arrive.Florida Panthers (+800)Despite an early injury to captain Aleksander Barkov, the Panthers are holding down the first wild card spot in the East and head into Wednesday night's game against the Senators on a three-game winning streak.The Tkachuk brothers are off to a hot start, led by Matthew, who is tied for 10th in the league with 14 points. But it's Brady, who already has a pair of hat tricks, who has been the big difference-maker.All eyes will be on Brady's much-anticipated return to his former team in Ottawa, where he was captain before getting traded to Florida. With the way the Senators have been playing — 6-3-0 — it could be an early look at a potential first- or second-round match-up when the playoffs roll around.Please play responsibly. Alberta (18+) and Ontario (19+) only. If gambling is affecting your mental health or well-being, 211 Alberta is here to help. Call or text 211 or visit ab.211.ca. In Ontario, visit ConnexOntario.ca or call 1-866-531-2600 or text CONNEX to 247247.For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free.