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According to Bovada, the Islanders are 33/1 odds to win the Stanley Cup in 2014, which ... isn't great but is totally better than the days of 300/1, 150/1, or even 75/1.
Better yet, Bovada has them at 16/1 to win the Eastern Conference! That's not great, but it almost sounds accessible!
But there's a funny catch that comes along with it:
Odds to Win the 2014 Eastern Conference
Boston Bruins 19/4
Detroit Red Wings 17/2
New York Rangers 11/1
Washington Capitals 12/1
Montreal Canadiens 14/1
Toronto Maple Leafs 14/1
Philadelphia Flyers 15/1
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New York Islanders 16/1
Ottawa Senators
Carolina Hurricanes 22/1
New Jersey Devils 22/1
Tampa Bay Lightning 22/1
Buffalo Sabres 40/1
Florida Panthers
Hmmm...if you rank the teams based on their odds, then the Islanders fall just outside the playoff line, in the bubble. That's actually quite plausible -- hold your outrage -- and a fair reflection of the parity in the playoff bubble in any given year.
Anyway, I don't really gamble -- though I understand it is the key to all hockey happiness. But to the extent that is true, I suspect it's because sports thrive on addiction: Addiction to tickets and merchandise, addiction to gambling, and addiction to the alcohol that helps us tolerate (and occasionally celebrate) the miserable teams that buttress our miserable existence.
So, ah, um, do you ever put money down on the Islanders? Do odds like this ever affect you?
Isles Bits
- Frans Nielsen's shootout powers are legend: A look at some of the stars of the shootout - NHL.com
- Brian Strait has shaven his magical powers, apparently.
- In this evolving attempt to account for goal creation and put assists in their place, Michael Grabner is extremely "competitive" and Nielsen is extremely "altruistic." (See the chart.)
- NEW: Looks like Ziggy Palffy is retiring.
Other Bits
- The Smurfs signed Mats Zuccarello.
- The Sharks signed Joe Pavelski for $30 million, five years.
- Why the Bogosian contract should not be compared to the other defensemen who signed long term this summer.
- Fun list here: The 12 greatest hockey commercials of all time | Home Ice - SI.com
- And good fodder in this list: USA TODAY makes 10 NHL predictions for next season, including one for Red Wings | Detroit Free Press
- Seattle expansion in 2014?
- History time: Florida Hockey History: A look back at the Suncoast Suns - Litter Box Cats
- That's not a stick. Now that's a stick: Aussie Nathan Walker gets invite to Washington Capitals rookie camp - NHL.com - News
- Oh, oh Detroit: Broke: Detroit's Bankruptcy And Its New Arena Complex - Winging It In Motown
This song is "Change of Atmosphere," but a different word always lingers in my head: