The Chicago Blackhawks have recorded just three wins in their past 10 outings, a slide that has finally weakened their odds to win the Stanley Cup which have dipped to 15/2 at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
It has been a tough second half for the defending Stanley Cup champions, who have claimed just 12 victories in 28 games since ending a midseason 19-4 run that had lifted their championship odds to a season-high 5/1.
Chicago travels to Winnipeg for Friday night’s Blackhawks vs. Jets matchup at MTS Centre already assured of a playoff spot. However, with just five games remaining, and six points separating them from first place in the Central Division standings, the Blackhawks will likely have to settle for a third-place finish and an opening playoff matchup at Dallas or St. Louis.
While the Blackhawks fade, the Blues have quickly gained traction on the Stanley Cup odds, powering to 10/1 at the sportsbooks on the strength of a five-game winning streak that has included four straight shutout victories.
It has taken just one week for the Blues’ odds to rise from 14/1, earning the oddsmakers’ nod on the strength of their current 21-5 run, holding opponents to two or fewer goals in 13 of those contests, according to the OddsShark NHL Database.
Conversely, the Boston Bruins, who visit St. Louis on Friday with just one win in their past seven contests, have quickly fallen out of favor at the sportsbooks, tumbling to a distant 40/1 in NHL futures betting, after peaking at 16/1 earlier this month.
The offensively-challenged Bruins have averaged just 1.5 goals per game over their past 10, bringing to an end a solid 18-10 run that had fueled their rise in both the Atlantic Division standings and the Stanley Cup odds.
The Washington Capitals have clinched the Presidents’ Trophy, and maintain their perch atop the Stanley Cup odds as 4/1 favorites, while the Los Angeles Kings, losers of four straight on the road, maintain strong 7/1 odds.
The Anaheim Ducks continue to battle the Kings for the Pacific Division lead, and closely follow Los Angeles and Chicago with 8/1 odds, ahead of the Stars at 9/1.
The resurgent Pittsburgh Penguins have rapidly climbed from 20/1 to 12/1, surpassing the San Jose Sharks at 14/1, the New York Rangers at 16/1, and the Tampa Bay Lightning at 18/1, while the Florida Panthers trail at 20/1.
The Nashville Predators have improved slightly to 22/1, ahead of the New York Islanders and Minnesota Wild at 28/1, while the Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings join Boston at 40/1, and the Colorado Avalanche are distant 100/1 underdogs.