Jan 31, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski (8) and Chicago Blackhawks center Brad Richards (91) battle for possession of the puck during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 last night to claim their third Stanley Cup in the past six seasons. With the victory, the 2014-15 NHL season is officially closed and it’s time to take a sneak peak at who is favored to hoist the Cup next year.
Not surprising to fans of the San Jose Sharks, Las Vegas doesn’t expect it to be the Sharks. According to Sports Insights and Sportsbook.com, San Jose is a plus-6,000 to win the Stanley Cup next season. This means that a $100 bet on the Sharks would pay out $6,000.
Furthermore, San Jose is plus-3,000 to win the Western Conference so they will have their work cut out for them next season.
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To put that into perspective, the Sharks are viewed as having the same odds as the Edmonton Oilers to win the Stanley Cup as of today. Not exactly the kind of news you want to hear if you’re a fan of team teal.
Also, the folks over at Bovada, are equally as skeptical about the Sharks’ chances. Currently, San Jose is listed with 40/1 odds, tied with the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks, but behind the Oilers at 33/1.
The Blackhawks are the odds-on favorite at 7/1, while the New York Rangers are the favorite out of the Eastern Conference at 8/1.
None of this should come as a surprise as San Jose finished fifth in the Pacific Division and 12th in the entire Western Conference with 89 points as they missed the postseason for the first time in 11 seasons. Doug Wilson and new head coach Peter DeBoer have to find a starting goaltender, some re-enforcements on the blue line and more depth in the forward ranks if the Sharks are going to contend next season.
If you’re a believer in Wilson and DeBoer, then place your bets now; otherwise, it looks like Vegas expects another long season of disappointment for the San Jose Sharks.