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2017 Stanley Cup Betting Odds: Washington Capitals are favorites

By Dave Stevenson

Apr 21, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) is helped off the ice after being injured against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first period in game five of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) is helped off the ice after being injured against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first period in game five of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Washington Capitals have the best odds of winning the Stanley Cup going into the second round.

Entering the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Washington Capitals had some of the best odds to win the championship. However, with the elimination of the Chicago Blackhawks, a new team has emerged as the betting odds favorites to lift Lord Stanley. Not surprisingly, this team is none other than the Capitals.

Whoever emerges from the war that is the second round series between Washington and the Pittsburgh Penguins will be the Stanley Cup favorite. This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. Those two teams have proven to be the best teams in the NHL during the regular season. Why are they facing in the second round? Because the league prefers to have one of its two best teams eliminated early. It feels like this should be the Eastern Conference Finals.

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While neither the Caps or Pens should get ahead of themselves, the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators aren’t nearly the same caliber team as they are. Whoever wins the series between Washington and Pittsburgh will be battle tested. They’re the two best teams in the NHL no matter which metric you prefer to use.

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Of course, being the favorite means virtually nothing. It could simply mean Vegas is encouraging people to bet on other teams. What it does mean is the casinos are getting a lot of bets for the Capitals. Only time will tell if the bettors are correct or if they’re wrong.

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The second round series begins on Thursday. It only seems appropriate the Capitals must exorcise their largest demon if they want to win their first Stanley Cup. Caps fans wouldn’t have it any other way.

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