The 2022-23 NHL season is underway, giving hockey fans in the state of California something to cheer about. California might not be a state that screams “ice hockey,” but there are a couple of teams in the state that have a pretty solid following.
The Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings would both fall into that category, despite being two franchises that have a very different history. Anaheim has struggled to find much success in the postseason while the Kings went through a dominant period.
Both teams, along with the San Jose Sharks, will be competing for the right to lift Lord Stanley’s Cup at the end of the season. Those betting odds have been out since the previous season ended, and they will continue to be updated as this year moves along.
It’s not easy to win the Stanley Cup, and looking at the odds for the California teams to win the Pacific Division is another option as well.
Ducks Might Win the Lottery
Winning the lottery is usually a great thing, even if you are a professional sports franchise. If you do win the lottery, though, that means that something went very wrong the season before.
Anaheim is going to have a great shot at winning the NHL Draft Lottery in 2022-23, as they are expected to struggle. The Ducks have odds set at just +15000 to win the Stanley Cup this season, and it’s been a slow start.
The Ducks have picked up just three points through their first eight games, and they will have a huge hole to make up. San Jose is another team that is expected to struggle in 2022-23, as the Sharks have odds set at +20000 to win the Stanley Cup.
Kings Have a Chance
The Los Angeles Kings entered the 2022-23 season with some optimism, and they could be in the hunt to win the Stanley Cup. Things haven’t started off great for the Kings through nine games, as they have racked up just eight total points.
The odds for the Kings to win the Stanley Cup are set at +4500, and a better bet might be to look at them in the Pacific Division. Los Angeles is listed at +1500 to win the Pacific, which is behind three other teams that are pretty good.
Western Conference is a Gauntlet
If any of the teams from the state of California are going to go all the way and win the Stanley Cup, then they are first going to have to get out of the loaded Western Conference. There is one team that is expected to control the Western Conference this year, but that team is going to get plenty of competition as well.
The Colorado Avalanche are the big favorites to win the Western Conference at +200, and they are also the Stanley Cup favorites at +380. Colorado is the defending champion, and they brought a majority of their roster back for another run.
The Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Vegas Golden Knights are all expected to be in the mix as well.
