Golden Knights Overtake Avalanche as Favorite in 2021 Stanley Cup Odds

• The Golden Knights have overtaken the Avalanche as the favorite in the 2021 Stanley Cup odds
• The Florida Panthers have moved into the top-10 after an impressive start
• See the updated Stanley Cup odds along with betting analysis in the story below

The Vegas Golden Knights are now the sole favorite in the 2021 Stanley Cup odds. The expansion franchise has moved past the Colorado Avalanche and into the top spot following a dominant first quarter of the season.

The Florida Panthers have surged into the top-10 of the odds, while the Montreal Canadiens continue to see their odds improve despite some recent struggles.

Do the Golden Knights deserve to be the betting favorite at the quarter mark of the season? Are the Panthers the real deal?

2021 Stanley Cup Odds

Odds taken February 18th at DraftKings

Viva Las Vegas 

The Golden Knights are now the betting favorite to win the 2021 Stanley Cup after opening the season with a 10-3-1 record. Their odds have stayed put at +700, but previous co-favorite Colorado has seen their odds lengthen to +750. Vegas currently sits atop the West Division with 21 points and a stellar .750 points percentage.

There’s not much to complain about for Vegas through the first quarter of the season. They boast excellent possession stats and have the third-ranked penalty kill in the league (85.7%). The power play is lagging a bit behind (20%), but it’s trending in the right direction with four goals scored in the past three games.

Pacioretty power play perfection 👍#VegasBorn | @Raising_Canes pic.twitter.com/p9hKRqCOGZ

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) February 17, 2021

The big story for the Golden Knights has been the superb play of goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. After losing the starting gig to Robin Lehner in the Return-to-Play, Fleury has been sensational this season with a .937 save percentage in nine starts.

The Avalanche trail the Golden Knights in the standings by four points with a game in hand. Colorado leads the division with a plus-14 goal differential and has been getting stellar goaltending from Philipp Grubauer. They’ve likely seen their odds lengthen due to a myriad of injuries, including ones to Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. Don’t be surprised if a healthier Avs team pulls back even with Vegas in the odds in the near future.

Is Florida for Real? 

One team that is gaining significant ground in the odds is the Florida Panthers. Joel Quenneville’s team has gone from +4700 to +2300 after an impressive first quarter that saw them climb to the top of the Central Division with a 10-2-2 record.

The Panthers are certainly exceeding expectations, but it’s still no guarantee they get back to the postseason for the first time since 2016. Florida’s plus-5 goal differential is only third-best in the division, and there are currently three teams within a single point of them in the standings.

With their 10th win of the season tonight at CAR, the #FlaPanthers 10-2-2 record stands as the franchise’s best record over the first 14 games of a season.

The Cats’ 5-0-1 road record is the club’s best record over the first six road games of a season. pic.twitter.com/R0aVwcLyEJ

— Florida Panthers PR (@FlaPanthersPR) February 18, 2021

The Panthers have one of the most underrated superstars in the league in Jonathan Huberdeau, who ranks top-10 in league scoring over the last three years with 190 points in 165 games. Huberdeau is a contender in the Hart Trophy odds, as he currently sits in the top-20. They also have a great story in net with 26-year-old Chris Driedger, who owns a .924 save percentage and has taken over starting duties despite Sergei Bobrovsky still being on the team.

There’s lots to like about Florida, especially the fact that they’ve given up the third-fewest amount of high-danger chances in the league. There’s only one team coming out of this loaded division, however, and it’s hard to bet Florida over Tampa Bay in a seven-game series, especially considering superstar Nikita Kucherov is expected to return for the postseason.

Habs, Leafs Remain Canada’s Best Shot

If Canada wants the Stanley Cup to return North of the border for the first time since 1993, it’s likely going to be through the Montreal Canadiens or Toronto Maple Leafs. Both teams continue to see improvement in their Cup odds and are the only two Canadian clubs within reasonable striking distance of Vegas.

Montreal’s odds have gone from +1700 to +1300 despite losing three of its past five games. The Habs still lead the division with an excellent plus-13 goal differential and 54.64 Corsi percentage. One of the reasons oddsmakers are high on Montreal is because the team is built for the postseason. The Habs were big underdogs in the Return-to-Play, but they knocked off the Penguins in the qualifying round before taking Philadelphia to six games in Round 1.

L'artiste, l'œuvre. 🖼️ pic.twitter.com/NdWwVcpcT0

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) February 14, 2021

Toronto remains a top-five contender after opening its season with a 12-3-2 record. Their odds have only improved from +1100 to +1000, however, as they’ve lost two of their past three contests. While Toronto is loaded with talent and favored in the Divisional odds, it’s unlikely they overtake one of the top Cup favorites until they prove they can make it past the first round.

Much like how it is with Vegas and Colorado, it’s a toss-up between Montreal and Toronto for which team will come out of its respective division. Considering the Habs were priced at +5000 to begin the season, the value on them is quickly disappearing. Given the level, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are playing at and the fact the Leafs will have to get over the hump eventually, the better value likely now lies with the blue and white.