Will the Stanley Cup reach 25 straight years of being lifted by American teams?

It didn't take long for Vegas to release its annual Stanley Cup odds. Perhaps that's due to the fact that the gambling mecca now has more of a stake in the NHL given the presence of the Vegas Golden Knights. More likely though it's simply because, as the adage goes, the city never sleeps. So yes, it was about two hours after the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Cup for the second time in a row that we were peppered with news that Vegas had already picked the Penguins to make it three in a row in 2018. 

If the Penguins (or any other American team) win 16 games in the playoffs next year, the streak of teams based south of the border will reach 25 years. There are people who own apartments and cars who have never seen a Canadian team hoist the cup. For heck's sake, there are millionaires who haven't witnessed this phenomenon. 

However, Vegas oddsmakers indicate that the streak may end this year, as one Canadian team was given the second-highest odds (behind the Penguins, of course). Let's take a look at each Canadian team in descending order. 

Vancouver Canucks
Odds: 200-1

Yeah. That's tough to swallow. Hilariously, the odds actually opened at 100-1, but were moved back for the latest odds after the moves the Canucks made in the offseason, one supposes. Of course, other teams (Red Wings, Devils, Coyotes) were also moved back, so Vancouver fans shouldn't take the designation too hard. Honestly, it's pretty fair. 

Good Bet? Is there some value in throwing down, like, five bucks on these odds? There has to be, right? Uh, no. Sorry. 

Winnipeg Jets
Odds: 50-1

In this era of hot takes and ridiculous predictions in the hopes of making a big call, there's little at risk when you make the wrong prognostication. Which is a goddamn shame, because The Hockey News should be put to the cross for this. They put it on the cover! Save your money and bet it all on the Jets next year, because that's when it's going to happen. If it doesn't, you know which Toronto-based publication to blame. 

Good Bet? They'll be better, but not this year, no. Or next year. Maybe the year after that though (oh wait, The Hockey News has that year reserved for the Sabres).

Calgary Flames
Odds: 30-1

The Flames are actually an interesting team here, because they have enough young or in-their-prime talent to make the playoffs and put a scare into a few teams. Last year they were invited to the offseason party, but they didn't have time to hit the liquor store on the way and figured they could just sort of bum drinks off people there. They were promptly swept by the Ducks, but it's worth noting that the addition of Travis Hamonic to the blueline makes this team's top four defencemen as good as any in the league. Mike Smith was a weird gamble to take, but if he can regain his past form...

Good Bet? It's actually not the worst you could do. But no, the odds aren't good enough to swallow having to bet on, and by extension, cheer for, the Flames.

Ottawa Senators
Odds: 30-1

Talk about getting no respect. All the Sens did was push the Penguins to double overtime in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final. They were one goal away from advancing to the Cup Final. They were rewarded with worse odds than the Blue Jackets, a team the Penguins beat in five games in the first round. 

Good Bet? Much of the Sens' run was improbable and wasn't based on skill outside of Erik Karlsson. But, it happened. With Guy Boucher's defensive style and Craig Anderson's propensity to get hot at the right time, could it happen again? Probably not, and the loss of defensive stalwart Marc Methot hurts. But it's decent bang for your buck. 

Montreal Canadiens
Odds: 16-1

This one we don't fully get. Yes, the Habs will make the playoffs and they will always be in contention with Carey Price tending the net. But the offseason they just had didn't make the team better. If anything, it was stagnant, at least in regards to this year. Yes, they brought in Jonathan Drouin and Karl Alzner, effective players. But they lost Alexander Radulov, Nate Beaulieu and Andrei Markov, two stalwarts for the club last year. Going forward, these were effective moves, but for this season alone, it's hard to see the team improving hugely on a season that saw them get bounced in the first round. 

Good Bet? Last year, the Habs won their division. This time around, with improved clubs in Toronto and Tampa Bay, they'll be hard pressed to do the same. Expect slight regression for the bleu, blanc et rouge, even if they are a perennial lock for the playoffs. Too much talent in the eastern conference to predict that they will emerge. 

Toronto Maple Leafs
Odds: 14-1

Yep, it's happening. The Toronto Maple Leafs are becoming a team to watch. Tied for seventh best odds, the Leafs are undeniably good now. Yeah, I know. It's weird. You don't know what to say to your Leafs fan buddy who's trying to slide into your DMs with an innocent "yo" that you both know is quickly going to turn into "Marleau, eh?" 

Good Bet? Sigh. It's not bad. This is a team that took a juggernaut Capitals team to six games, and they're practically guaranteed to place better in the regular season standings. They play the Canucks twice, the first of which is in Vancouver on December 2. Best to avoid Rogers Arena that day. The game is at 4 p.m. because of course it is. 

Edmonton Oilers
Odds: 8-1

Woah. The Edmonton Oilers have the second best odds to win the Cup. For a lot of people, this will feel strange. For those who remember the 80s, it'll feel familiar, if still a little unsettling. No, there's not much that could have prevented this after the ridiculous lottery ball luck the Oilers managed through the last few years. Connor McDavid turns 21 in January and he's already the second best player in the league. The Oilers are going to be unstoppable for a long time. Settle in. 

Good Bet? Yeah. And this is also a really fun team to watch, which is always a bonus because betting on a boring team sucks. Sorry. Go Kassian?