Las Vegas isn't counting out the Blue Jackets.
The team that eliminated them in the first round just lifted the Stanley Cup for the first time in its history. Now, as the offseason shifts into high gear over the next couple of weeks, the sportsbooks are already forecasting next summer's championship picture.
Bovada (Las Vegas) released its 2019 Stanley Cup odds shortly after the Washington Capitals dispatched the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 5 at T-Mobile Arena. Surprisingly, the defending champions aren't among the top-five at 14-to-1.
Here's how the early odds shake out:
Tampa Bay Lightning: 9-to-1
Boston Bruins: 10-to-1
Toronto Maple Leafs: 10-to-1
Vegas Golden Knights: 10-to-1
Winnipeg Jets: 10-to-1
Pittsburgh Penguins: 11-to-1
Nashville Predators: 11-to-1
Washington Capitals: 14-to-1
Edmonton Oilers: 18-to-1
Anaheim Ducks: 22-to-1
Chicago Blackhawks: 22-to-1
Columbus Blue Jackets: 25-to-1
Among the interesting favorites are the Chicago Blackhawks, a 76-point team in 2017-18 that is reportedly gearing up for a big summer. They're looking at a tough road to get back to the playoffs in the Central Division, where they'll be slugging it out with Winnipeg, Nashville, Dallas, Minnesota, Colorado and St. Louis. That's pretty daunting.
The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, check in with the 11th-best early odds from Bovada.
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