Rangers have better Stanley Cup odds than Islanders

The New York Rangers have a better chance to hoist the Stanley Cup later this summer than the New York Islanders, according to NHL betting odds posted at William Hill.

The Blueshirts are listed at 50/1 while the Islanders are 60/1.

The Islanders finished with 80 points in 68 games during the 2019-20 regular season, which commissioner Gary Bettman deemed complete on Tuesday.

The surging Rangers had 79 points in 70 games when the season was paused due to the coronavirus on March 12. The league stacked the teams on a points-per-game basis, placing the Islanders as the seventh seed in the best-of-5 play-in round, and the Rangers as the No. 11 seed in the 24-team playoff.

William Hill lists the Boston Bruins as the 11/2 favorites to lift the Stanley Cup, followed by the Vegas Golden Knights at 6/1, Tampa Bay Lightning at 13/2 and the two most recent champions, the Washington Capitals and St. Louis Blues, both at 8/1.

Though the Rangers and No. 6 Carolina Hurricanes both are listed at 50/1 to win the Stanley Cup, the Hurricanes are -150 favorites (risk $150 to win $100 or anything in that ratio) to win their opening-round series, which would be played in one of two yet-to-be-determined hub cities. The Rangers are +130 underdogs (risk $100 to win $130). The Rangers went 4-0 in the season series against Carolina, winning 3-2 and 5-3 at Madison Square Garden and 4-2 and 5-2 in Raleigh, N.C.

The Islanders and No. 10 Florida Panthers are both listed at 60/1 to win the Cup. The Panthers are a slight -115 favorite and the Islanders the -105 underdog. Of course, with the games slated for a neutral site with no spectators, the higher seed is deprived of the advantages of true home ice and fan support. The Islanders were 3-0 against Florida this season, winning 3-2 in a shootout at Nassau Coliseum, 2-1 at Barclays Center and 3-1 in Sunrise, Fla.

There are still numerous hurdles for the league to navigate before the tournament can be played, including agreement with the players association on issues of health and finances, as well as clearance from all levels of government.

NHL 2020 playoff betting odds to win the Stanley Cup

Boston Bruins: 11/2
Las Vegas Golden Knights: 6/1
Tampa Bay Lightning: 13/2
Washington Capitals: 8/1
St. Louis Blues: 8/1
Colorado Avalanche: 17/2
Philadelphia Flyers: 12/1
Dallas Stars: 15/1
Pittsburgh Penguins: 15/1
Nashville Predators: 25/1
Edmonton Oilers: 25/1
Toronto Maple Leafs: 25/1
Calgary Flames: 30/1
New York Rangers: 50/1
Winnipeg Jets: 50/1
Vancouver Canucks: 50/1
Arizona Coyotes: 50/1
Carolina Hurricanes: 50/1
New York Islanders: 60/1
Columbus Blue Jackets: 60/1
Florida Panthers: 60/1
Minnesota Wild: 60/1
Montreal Canadiens: 100/1
Chicago Blackhawks: 100/1

Play-in series matchups

Hurricanes (-150) vs. Rangers (+130)
Islanders (-105) vs. Panthers (-115)
Penguins (-190) vs. Canadiens (+170)
Maple Leafs (-170) vs. Blue Jackets (+150)
Oilers (-155) vs. Blackhawks (+135)
Predators (-130) vs. Coyotes (+110)
Canucks (-135) vs. Wild (+115)
Flames (-110) vs. Jets (-110)

Odds to win East No. 1 seed

Bruins:+180
Lightning: +220
Capitals:+350
Flyers:+400

Odds to win West No. 1 seed

Golden Knights: +225
Blues: +250
Avalanche: +260
Stars: +350