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After Quiet Deadline, Leafs Stanley Cup Odds Worst They’ve Been Since Acquiring Tavares

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in NHL Hockey

Updated Mar 28, 2020 · 12:52 PM PDT

John Tavares Toronto Maple Leafs center
John Tavares and the Leafs are struggling down the stretch, but should bettors put much credence in what have become inconsequential games for a team that's already locked into a first-round series with the Bruins? Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire.
  • The Toronto Maple Leafs’ average Stanley Cup odds are now +1100, the longest they’ve been in eight months
  • Toronto is loaded offensively and will benefit from an easy schedule down the stretch
  • Are the Leafs worth a wager at their current price?

While most NHL teams spent Monday scrambling to add that one missing piece before the trade deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs mostly stood pat, with the exception of a minor swap of fourth line players.

The Leafs resisted the urge to add a player that could jeopardize their future cap situation, despite recently falling behind the red-hot Bruins for second in the Atlantic.

Now, with the prospect of starting the playoffs without home ice advantage, Toronto’s Stanley Cup odds are the longest they’ve been since signing John Tavares last summer.

2019 Stanley Cup Odds

Team Odds to Win 2019 Stanley Cup
Tampa Bay Lightning +300
Calgary Flames +800
Winnipeg Jets +800
San Jose Sharks +1000
Boston Bruins +1200
Nashville Predators +1200
Toronto Maple Leafs +1200

*Odds taken 2/27

While some sportsbooks have them at +1200, the Leafs are still commanding a much shorter price of +700 elsewhere. But their average Stanley Cup odds have fallen from +770 to +1100 in just two weeks, in part due to a rough patch that saw them lose three straight.

Don’t Panic Yet LeafsNation

Toronto boasts one of the most talented rosters in the NHL. They have a top-five Vezina trophy candidate in Frederik Andersen, a top-five Norris trophy candidate in Morgan Rielly, and and top-five Hart trophy candidate in Tavares.

They have nine players who have scored at least 13 goals this season, two more than any other team, and only the Lightning have lit the lamp more often than the Leafs in the Eastern Conference.

Critics will point to a weak back end as their Achilles heel, but they made a big splash last month acquiring Jake Muzzin, and once he starts logging more ice time than weak links like Ron Hainsey and Nikita Zaitsev, Toronto’s play in its own end should dramatically improve.

A Soft Schedule Down the Stretch

The Leafs are fresh off back-to-back wins over the Canadiens and Sabres, and have the lowly Oilers on deck.

12 of their final 20 games are against teams outside the playoff picture, and their two remaining tilts against the Lightning are both on home ice.

They’re on pace for 105 points, which would equal the franchise record, and they have a better goals for and goals against average than a season ago.

Let it ride on the Leafs

Before they can win the Stanley Cup they’ll first have to win a playoff series, something they haven’t done since 2004.

Their loaded offense and solid goaltending should be able to cover up any deficiency the defense may present, and if you want to back this team you won’t see a better price this year.


There’s a reason why Toronto was a +470 co-favorite to win the Cup less than three months ago, and once they rattle off a few more wins over some inferior opponents, their current odds will be nothing more than a distant memory.

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