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

• 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.

#Leafs trade Par Lindholm to the Winnipeg Jets for Nic Petan

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) February 25, 2019

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

*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.

John Tavares is pretty good pic.twitter.com/ntLguwjCSz

— Flintor (@TheFlintor) February 26, 2019

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.

How well did the @MapleLeafs‘ second period go?

Four goals… you tell us. pic.twitter.com/4mvbM28ZzU

— NHL (@NHL) February 26, 2019

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.

Jake Muzzin demolishes Corey Perry with a big hit near the Ducks bench. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/24Gv0zXeq8

— Maple Leafs Hotstove (@LeafsNews) February 5, 2019

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.

???#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/TmtbJHQLlK

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 26, 2019

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.

Frederik Andersen is the eighth goaltender to record 100+ regular-season wins with the @MapleLeafs franchise and required the fewest appearances to do so. #NHLStats #BUFvsTOR pic.twitter.com/NZwYMM3Q1y

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 26, 2019

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.

Comeback kids. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/CeYAlUtmd0

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 24, 2019

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.