Red Hot Capitals Still Given +1500 Odds to Win Stanley Cup

• The Washington Capitals are the reigning Stanley Cup champions and lead the Metropolitan Division by two points
• The Caps have just the ninth-best odds to win the Stanley Cup
• Is Washington worth it? Or is there a wiser investment elsewhere?

When it comes to the Washington Capitals, who wouldn’t want to revisit the “Summer of Ovie”?

Seriously, after last summer’s three month party, everyone should love the fact Washington is 14-5-1 since February 1st. Those 29 points have them two up on the Islanders in the Metropolitan Division.

But they still aren’t getting any Stanley Cup love.

2019 Stanley Cup Odds

*Odds taken 03/13/19

The Caps have risen up the odds thanks to their hot play. They’ve gone from +2000 on February 26th, to the +1500 they sit at. It’s the highest they’ve been since January 8th.

Despite the swing, however, Washington still sits just ninth among the top ten in our 2019 Stanley Cup Odds Tracker.

Does it mean you should ignore them?

Capitals a Boom or Bust Stanley Cup Pick

You definitely shouldn’t ignore them. In fact, if things fall the right way, they could be one of the savvier picks.

But they could also fall flat on their face.

As the Metro Division postseason race heats up, #ALLCAPS are using these final regular season games as a chance to learn pic.twitter.com/axbWgXDWdA

— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 13, 2019

The key is winning the Metro division. If everything stayed the same over the last month of the NHL season, here’s Washington’s path to the Eastern Conference Final.

Washington’s Path to the 2019 Eastern Conference Final

For simplicity’s sake, this is assuming the highest seed in each prospective match-up wins.

With some tweaking, however, Washington’s path becomes harder.

Washington’s Worst Case Scenario Playoff Path

If the Penguins hold onto third in the Metro and the Caps fall to second, they’ll square off in round one. While that could happen, the teams are separated by just four points.

There’s a chance the Caps fall to third with the Pens jumping them for second and the Islanders winning the division.

Do you want to see the @penguins and @Capitals meet in the first round? #NHLNow pic.twitter.com/12iqtBiwnA

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) March 10, 2019

That gives Pittsburgh home ice in round one. Wherever they are, those series are never easy. Granted, there is one oddity about Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby meeting in the playoffs.

Capitals vs Penguins Playoff Results

That’s right. The winner has always gone on to win the Stanley Cup.

Thing is, that has never happened in the first round. Even though they may have the better team, can the Caps run the gauntlet again after an early match-up with Pittsburgh?

It’s made even tougher because even if they get past the Pens, they’re on the road for the rest of the playoffs.

Capitals Remaining Schedule Determines their Fate

Washington is the hottest team in the NHL right now, but they will control their own destiny.

That’s because, of their 12 remaining games, they play the Lightning three times, the Hurricanes twice, and the Islanders once. They also have the Flyers twice and the Canadiens once.

Hottest #NHL teams: Last 10GP

Capitals 9-1-0
Bruins 8-1-1
Coyotes 8-2-0
Lightning 8-2-0
Hurricanes 7-2-1
Sharks 7-2-1
Maple Leafs 6-2-2
Oilers 6-2-2
Penguins 6-2-2
Wild 6-2-2 pic.twitter.com/XICfU2JBW4

— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) March 11, 2019

Despite all of that, the Caps are still a solid pick. Last year’s experience will be massive for them, and they’re playing their best hockey at the right time.

They also have the easier path coming out of the Metro division.

And if we can’t convince you on the Caps? Try the Predators and Jets. Even though they’ll have to go through each other, the Cup favorites provide great value in the West.