The National Hockey League is one where fans know to expect the unexpected. In hockey, anything can happen, and the team that starts the season as favourites doesn’t always perform to that level. On the same note, there are often underdogs who defy the odds to move up the standings, surpassing the expectations of fans and gambling sites.
The current NHL season is approaching, and many fans are looking ahead. Many are questioning which team will be this year’s big breakout, and we are here to help answer that question. Below are five squads with middling to low odds of winning the Stanley Cup that could break out in a major way.
Buffalo Sabres
Fans have been waiting for that Buffalo Sabres breakout for years, and this could finally be the time. Even though Canadian betting sites aren’t giving them great odds this season, the Sabres have the talent to make some serious noise. Led by a young core of rising talent, including Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Tage Thompson, and Dylan Cozens, this team can be really good immediately. Goaltending has been a problem in recent years, but the Sabres have one of the top goalie prospects in the league in Devon Levi. This could be the year the franchise’s long playoff drought is broken.
Ottawa Senators
Another franchise that has endured many unfortunate years in a row is the Ottawa Senators. The Senators have undergone a long rebuild, but there is a chance that cycle is bucked this season. The Senators have the talent to be great. Tim Stutzle, Josh Norris, and Brady Tkachuk are potential superstars and already great players. They also have pieces like Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot, and Jakob Chychrun, who can help them reach a new level. Goaltending is a concern, but the addition of Vladimir Tarasenko shows this team thinks it can compete.
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks have very low odds of winning this season, according to oddsmakers. But there can be no questioning that this team has the ability to surprise some people. Vancouver has several elite players, including new captain Quinn Hughes and franchise centrepiece Elias Pettersson. They also have Thatcher Demko in net. While Demko has been inconsistent, he has shown the ability to perform well in the past. If the team’s depth pieces step up, there is no reason that the Canucks can’t shock some people. They have the skill players to be a real threat.
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings have been one of the NHL’s most consistently successful franchises over their duration, but the last few years have not been fun. The odds seem stacked against them, but GM Steve Yzerman may have built a team that can sneak back into the playoff picture. They added Alex DeBrincat to a group that includes Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, and Dylan Larkin. There is enough talent to win on any given night. Goaltending will be a question mark, but the team has two young talents who can ascend to the top role: Ville Husso and Sebastian Cossa. It will be interesting to see how this team performs.
Washington Capitals
Fans aren’t used to seeing the Capitals on lists like this. The Capitals have been contenders for pretty much the duration of Alexander Ovechkin’s career, but many don’t see this current team as even a playoff threat. They have the lowest odds of any team mentioned here. However, don’t forget that Ovechkin is still one of the great scorers in the league, and this team has players like Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Tom Wilson, who can jolt back to form from bad performances. Don’t bet against this experienced group.