NHL: Colorado Avalanche Show Why They are Stanley Cup Favourites

Favourites at the start of the new season, and now even shorter for glory, the Colorado Avalanche are showing us all why so many believe it is only a matter of time before they lift the biggest prize on hockey.

The Avalanche have won their last seven games, and have put together a 16-game home winning streak. They are top of the Central Division, and clear in the Western Conference standings too.

The overall lead in the NHL is not something they have, but they could get that tonight, and have three games in hand over those around them.

Avalanche Strong Favourites for Western Conference

From a betting perspective, it is no good looking for odds on the Avalanche to win the Central Division anymore, they are long odds on, four points clear at the top and have four games in hand that they can use to extend that lead.

With Vegas for competition, the betting for the Western Conference offers more value, but Vegas are eight points behind Colorado, and the Avs have three games in hand on them.

Given how Colorado are playing right now, that gap will likely be 10+ with those games in hand, can Vegas really claw that back, now that we are half way through the season? The Avs look tremendous value to win the Western Conference, because no one else looks to have the quality to keep up with these two.

Can They Win the Stanley Cup?

Not only are the Avalanche favourites for the West, they are also favourites for the Stanley Cup, priced up at 5/1 with William Hill. Knocked out of the second round over the past two seasons, questions have been raised about their ability to get the job done in the post season, but no one is saying they don’t have the quality to win it.

Currently on a seven game winning streak and a 16-game home winning streak, the team is playing well at the moment. However, we are also seeing signs of them playing poorly but finding a way to win, a sign of a championship team.

It’s been 21 years since they last won the cup, this team looks full of superstars, just like that one did, is this their year?

Until they prove themselves in the post season, people will have their doubts, but in terms of talent, everything is there to lift Lord Stanley’s Trophy in June.