The Carolina Hurricanes are the New Jersey bookmaker’s latest favorites to win US ice hockey’s Stanley Cup
They hoisted themselves into top spot on Wednesday with their 3rd-straight win against the New York Islanders.
A win again today (Friday) in this best-of-seven Eastern Conference final, will take them into an unassailable 4-0 lead.
If the bookies are impressed it’s because it’s only the second time Hurricanes have been three-up in any playoff battle. They previously achieved the feat in the second round against the New Jersey Devils in 2005/06. They lost the next game, however, before going on to beat the Devils 4-1.
Significantly, they went on from there to win Stanley Cup for the first and only time.
Hurricanes can set a franchise record Friday
In their current form, the Canes have every chance of setting a franchise record by going 4-0 up on Friday. They will also put themselves in a good place to win their second Stanley Cup.
It’s no wonder then that sportsbooks like New Jersey’s FanDuel (+320) and 888sports (+340) currently see them as the next Stanley Cup Champions.
Of course, the Hurricanes exceptional record in NHL playoffs could only have helped Carolina gain the confidence of the bookies.
Dating back to 2006, they’ve won seven of their last eight Stanley Cup playoff finals. Also, their last three playoff triumphs have taken them to three conference finals (2002/06/07) and two Stanley Cup appearances (2002/06). The last one, of course, brought them Stanley Cup honors.
One worrying fact for the bookies; the Islanders are one of only four teams in NHL history who have overcome a 3-0 deficit and won a post-season series. They did this in the 1975 quarterfinals against Pittsburgh Penguins.
Right now, that fact doesn’t seem to be of much concern, however. Most bookmakers gave the Islanders no chance of winning the Stanley Cup.
As likely Stanley Cup winners, here is how the Canes and the Islanders stood with 888sports on Friday morning.
Carolina Hurricanes (+340)
Boston Bruins (+360)
Saint Jose Sharks (+450)
St Louis Blues (+500)
Columbus Blue Jackets (+700)
Colorado Avalanche (+800)
Dallas Stars (+800)
New York Islanders (+4000).