Sharks Now Favored to Win 2019 Stanley Cup After Bruins & Blues Stumble
By Robert Duff in NHL Hockey
Updated: April 14, 2020 at 4:32 pm EDTPublished:
- Sportsbooks favor the San Jose Sharks to win the 2019 Stanley Cup
- The Sharks lead the Colorado Avalanche 1-0 in their second-round series
- Both the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues dropped to 1-1 in their series following Game 2 losses
Should you go swimming with the San Jose Sharks? The closeness of the competition pursuing the Stanley Cup is evidenced by the the fact that the outcomes of one day’s games significantly impact the odds in a sportsbook’s Stanley Cup futures book.
Stanley Cup odds adjusted after the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues went down to defeat in Game 2 of their second-round series on Saturday and oddsmakers have now moved the Sharks in as the chalk.
| Team | 2019 Stanley Cup Odds |
|---|---|
| San Jose Sharks | +290 |
| Boston Bruins | +450 |
| St. Louis Blues | +500 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +650 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +650 |
| Dallas Stars | +750 |
| New York Islanders | +850 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +1000 |
Odds taken on April 28, 2019.
The Sharks own a 1-0 lead in their second-round series with the Colorado Avalanche following a decisive 5-2 victory in Game 1 of the set.
Stanley Cup Parity
One thing you’ve got to give the NHL – when it comes to the Stanley Cup, anybody can win it all.
Teams often say all that matters is getting into the playoffs. While that wreaks of cliche, it’s been proven to be fact this spring.
All four Wild Card teams advanced for the first time ever, marking the first postseason in NHL history in which all division winners were eliminated in the opening round.
More #NHLStats: https://t.co/9RsOjQsUl9 #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/jG8goUSPJ6
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 25, 2019
For the first time since the league went to a four-division format in 1974-75, all four division winners went out in the first round, including the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning and defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals.
Even with 5 lower seeds advancing, 3 of the top 6 teams from the regular season remain in contention for the #StanleyCup.
The @NHLBruins (No. 3) are now the top-ranked team, ahead of the @NYIslanders (No. 5) and @SanJoseSharks (No. 6). https://t.co/MMYbLOmvXP #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/Dl1ypi1jkD
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 25, 2019
The top two teams in the NHL regular-season standings were bounced in Round 1 for the first time since 1963-64.
Meanwhile, all four wildcard teams avdanced to the second round.
Will Sharks Make History?
San Jose is one of three teams left in the hunt for Lord Stanley’s mug who have never lifted a Stanley Cup in triumph. The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Blues are the others.
Second Round teams account for only 27% of playoff series wins over the past 20 postseasons, with the eight remaining clubs winning 80 of 293 series since 1999. https://t.co/eD6j9CQQic #NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/CJfEV2CI7L
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 25, 2019
The Capitals were first-time Stanley Cup winners last spring, and there’s been four others since 2004 – the Lightning (2003-04), Carolina Hurricanes (2005-06), Anaheim Ducks (2006-07) and the 2011-12 Los Angeles Kings.
Jumbo Joe vs B’s Would be Magic
Most sportsbooks list the Sharks (+130) in the Western Conference and the Bruins (+180) in the Eastern Conference as favorites to meet in the Stanley Cup final.
The man. The myth. The legend. #PlayoffMode pic.twitter.com/iNQ7tzdGOk
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 27, 2019
With 1,566 regular-season games under his belt, Sharks center Joe Thornton is second on the NHL’s all-time list of players who’ve played the most games without winning a Cup.
We've said it before, and we'll say it again: let the wookiee win. #PlayoffMode pic.twitter.com/4vuPyS79JP
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 27, 2019
Thornton was selected first overall by the Bruins in the 1997 NHL entry draft.
Shouldn’t You Rub Out the Chalk?
Based on the first round, which saw five upsets in eight series, maybe it’s not the year to be playing favorites. The Sharks rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat Vegas and worked OT in Games 6 and 7.
#SJSHARKS WIN GAME 1!!!! pic.twitter.com/mWvbL25dZO
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 27, 2019
San Jose coach Pete DeBoer plays a short bench and relies heavily on 30-somethings.
The Sharks figure to run out of gas. We suggest putting your money on the Bruins or the Blues to win the Cup.
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
