Sportsbook odds favor the Washington Capitals to win the Stanley Cup. The Capitals have wrapped up the top seed in the Eastern Conference and even though they lost on Sunday to Calgary, they clinched the top seed when Jew Jersey lost to Philadelphia. The Capitals are the favorite at the Internet sportsbook to win the Cup even though they have some goaltending issues.
Sportsbook odds list Washington at +265 to win the Stanley Cup. Chicago is the second choice at +350. Other teams with single-digit odds at the sportsbook are the Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks and Phoenix Coyotes. The last day of the regular season is April 11th so the playoffs are fast approaching.
The Capitals are respected in odds at the sportsbook because they have Alex Ovechkin. He scored his 46th goal of the season in the loss to Calgary and also had an assist as he reached the 100-point mark for the fourth time in his five-year career. It was only the fifth loss at home in regulation this season for the Capitals. “We didn’t have any energy,” Washington coach Bruce Boudreau said. “It looked like we were skating in quicksand. Their sense of urgency was so tremendous. They’d been embarrassed in Boston. We didn’t meet their push.”
Washington will hope to get a better effort next time out from goaltender Jose Theodore. He didn’t get the loss but was pulled after allowing three goals on nine shots. The Caps came back to tie the game so the loss went to Semyon Valamov who gave up the fourth goal. “For the first time in a long time,” Boudreau said, “it looked like Theo was struggling a little bit.” Even though the Caps rarely lose at home vs. the NHL sportsbook odds, the Washington fans booed them after the first period. “When you’ve lost four out of 35 at home, give the guys at break,” Boudreau said. “I could see it if we were doing this on a regular basis.”
Washington is getting ready for the playoffs so the loss vs. the odds at the Internet sportsbook was not a big one anyway. “You just put that one behind you and live for the next day,” Washington right wing Mike Knuble said, “It’s no indication of anything. It’s just one of those games you’re probably due for. It’s probably good for us at this point.”