They have played 15 games in the National Hockey League season, and the Arizona Coyotes are right above the .500 mark on the season. The Coyotes come into Wednesday night with a 7-6-2 record, which is good enough for 16 points, and fifth in the Central Division. If the postseason started today, which it does not, the Coyotes would be one point out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Arizona Coyotes currently have +13000 to win the Stanley Cup, which is still near the bottom of the entire league.
Arizona has scored 3.33 goals per game, and allowed 3.07. The Coyotes have been one of the worst in the league at shots on goal, with just 28 per game. Arizona is also one of the most penalized teams in the league, with more than 14 minutes per game. The Coyotes have a few things to clean up, but the postseason is not out of the question after the first month plus of the season.
Clayton Keller is the top scorer for the Coyotes. He leads the team with 7 goals, and is second with 9 assists. Logan Cooley has been great distributing the puck around this season, as he has 10 assists, with just 1 goal. Nick Schmaltz, Sean Durzi and Matias Maccelli also have double digit points through the first 15 goals.
Finally, the goalkeeper for the Coyotes has been decent. Connor Ingram has been the better of the team early on, as he is allowing 2.87 goals per game. Karel Vejmelka has started 8 games, and is 2-5-2, allowing more than 3 goals per game.
Let’s look at some of the favorites at Caesars Arizona to take down the 2024 Stanley Cup:
Colorado Avalanche +850
The 2022 Stanley Cup Champions still have electric scoring players, and a defense that can lock up with the best of them. It has not been an amazing start for Colorado, but at 9-5-0, the Avalanche are second in the Central Division. Colorado snapped a poor streak of play with a recent win in Seattle. Colorado is scoring more than 3.3 goals per game on the season, and Nathan MacKinnon is still that guy.
Carolina Hurricanes +950
At 9-6-0, the Hurricanes are trailing the Rangers and Washington in the divisional hunt, but this is still a team to keep an eye out for. The Hurricanes went to Tampa over the weekend and blanked the Lightning. After a couple days off, they are looking to keep that momentum going with a home game. The Hurricanes have six guys with double digit points early in the season. Goaltender Frederik Andersen is out for awhile, but Antti Raanta, and Pyotr Kochetkov should be able to fill the void.
Vegas Golden Knights +1000
Last year’s champions seem to not be skipping a beat this season. Vegas is off to a 12-3-1 start on the season and leading the Western Conference. Vegas is ninth in the league in goals scored, and boasts the third best defense in the league. The Golden Knights are led by William Karlsson, and his ability to score and dish out assists, while Jack Eichel keeps coming up big for the Knights. Vegas is looking to bounce back after a surprising shut-out loss to Washington,
Dallas Stars +1100
Currently third in the Western Conference, and top in the Central Division. This Dallas team is a rough and tough, physical and athletic team. Dallas is a legit contender with their goal scoring and ability to slow down opposing offenses. The Stars are 10th in goals scored with 3.4 per game, and rank sixth defensively, allowing 2.53 per game. The Stars top scorers have been Joe Pavelski, Jason Robertson, Matt Duchene, and Roope Hintz. Those four are combining for 23 goals and 31 assists.
New Jersey Devils +1100
The Devils are off to a slow start. It’s a bit of a surprise they have not fallen in the odds. New Jersey is still 11/1 to win it all. Currently, the Devils are 7-6-1 and on the outside looking in for the postseason out of the Eastern Conference. New Jersey is giving up too many goals, nearly 4 per game. The offense is getting it done, with 3.64 per game, but defensively, they have to be better to have an opportunity to rise up in the Eastern Conference.
Boston Bruins +1100
The top team in the East is the Boston Bruins. The Bruins have just one regulation loss in 15 games. With 26 points, they lead the National Hockey League. Boston is scoring 3.33 goals per game, but have the best team defense in the league, allowing just 2 goals per game. Goaltending for the Bruins has been incredible. Jack Swayman has made 7 starts, and allowed just 12 goals during those. He is 6-0-1 on the season. Keep this up defensively, and they will be skating well into the summer.
Toronto Maple Leafs +1100
The Maple Leafs are also +1100 to win it all. Toronto is 8-5-2 to open the season. The Maple Leafs are a different team than Boston. Toronto is a higher scoring team, and not anywhere near as good defensively. If they are going to get help from a trade, they will need to get some defensive assistance.
Others in Contention:
- Edmonton Oilers +1300
- New York Rangers +1300
- Los Angeles Kings +1600
- Florida Panthers +2100
- Tampa Bay Lightning +2100
All odds above are courtesy of Caesars Arizona.
Enjoy the rest of the season and good luck if you are placing bets on futures to win the 2024 Stanley Cup!
