The Tampa Bay Lightning are set to start the 2019-20 NHL season as the Stanley Cup favorites.
The Florida franchise won the Atlantic Division last season before being swept 0-4 by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round of the NHL playoffs.
Bookmakers have the Lighting as 6/1 favourites to go all the way this season prior to the start of the 2019-20 NHL season on Wednesday 2 October.
Tamp Bay Lightning finished last season with 128 regular-season points – 21 more than the second-place team in the Eastern Conference. However, after their quick exit from the playoffs, the Lightning upgraded their roster. That included signing forward Pat Maroon, who helped the St. Louis Blues win the first Stanley Cup in franchise history back in April.
Another key addition was veteran defenseman and three-time all-star, Kevin Shattenkirk.
The defending champions find themselves down a bit on the NHL odds board. The Blues are ninth favourites to defend their trophy, heading into the season at 18/1.
Last season’s Stanley Cup runners-up, the Boston Bruins, can be found at 10/1 as second favourites heading into the new season. The Toronto Maple Leafs are next in line at 11/1.
