Odds-maker likes Jets as serious Cup contender

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/03/2019 (2429 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Some fans may be losing faith in the Winnipeg Jets — but odds-makers aren’t sleeping on the squad despite their recent struggles and the tough road ahead.

The latest numbers rolled out Friday by BetOnline have the Jets as Western Conference favourites to sip from the Stanley Cup in June. Only the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning at 4-1 are ahead of Winnipeg (9-1). The Jets are tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Jets are coming off a forgettable February in which they went 4-6-2, their first losing month since February 2017. Winnipeg was 3-6-2 in its past 11 games, including two straight losses, heading into Friday night’s meeting with the Nashville Predators at Bell MTS Place. And it is currently without the services of injured defencemen Dustin Byfuglien, Josh Morrissey and Joe Morrow.

Nashville came to Winnipeg one point ahead of the Jets, having played three more games. Winnipeg had lost four straight games to division rivals. It was also the second of nine straight games against teams currently occupying a playoff spot.

Speaking of the Predators, they are 12-1 to win the Cup. Toronto (9-1), Calgary (10-1), San Jose (10-1) and Boston (12-1) are the other front-runners. The New York Islanders (14-1), St. Louis Blues (16-1) and defending Cup champion Washington Capitals (16-1) round out the top 10.

In terms of specific Western Conference odds, BetOnline has a bit of a contradiction with the Calgary Flames and the San Jose Sharks the co-favourites at 4-1, followed by Winnipeg at 9-2. Nashville (5-1) and Vegas (7-1) are next.

2019 Stanley Cup: odds to win (as of March 1)

Tampa Bay Lightning — 4-1

Toronto Maple Leafs — 9-1

Winnipeg Jets — 9-1

Calgary Flames — 10-1

San Jose Sharks — 10-1

Boston Bruins — 12-1

Nashville Predators — 12-1

New York Islanders — 14-1

St. Louis Blues — 16-1

Washington Capitals — 16-1

Vegas Golden Knights — 18-1

Columbus Blue Jackets — 20-1

Pittsburgh Penguins — 22-1

Montreal Canadiens — 28-1

Carolina Hurricanes — 33-1

Colorado Avalanche — 50-1

Dallas Stars — 50-1

Arizona Coyotes — 66-1

Minnesota Wild — 66-1

Philadelphia Flyers — 66-1

Buffalo Sabres — 100-1

Vancouver Canucks — 100-1

Chicago Blackhawks — 150-1

Edmonton Oilers — 150-1

Florida Panthers — 150-1

Anaheim Ducks — 250-1

Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators — off the board.

— staff