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By Max Meyer

Another exciting NHL season is about to start tonight, and the question on everyone’s mind is whether anyone can dethrone the two-time defending champions.

The Lightning have already struck twice, winning the past two Stanley Cups. Can they go for a historic threepeat in this campaign, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since the Islanders notched four in a row from 1980-83?

Even with the back-to-back trophies, the Lightning aren’t the Stanley Cup favorites this time around at Caesars Sportsbook. That position would belong to the Avalanche, who reside at +550. The Lightning have the second-lowest odds at +700, with the Golden Knights right behind at +750. The Avalanche and Golden Knights opened as co-favorites on July 5 at +550 each, with the Lightning nearby at +600.

Interestingly, the Lightning rank outside the top 5 among all teams for both total number of tickets and total dollars wagered for Stanley Cup futures. Tampa Bay has accumulated 5% in each, which is the sixth-highest percentage in both.

“Colorado is a loaded team, so I’m not surprised to see Tampa behind them,” said Craig Mucklow, Vice President of Trading for Caesars Sportsbook. “It’s really tough to threepeat in sports, but Tampa just isn’t getting the same action as the other top teams. They’re just not a public team for some strange reason. Hockey has been so open on the futures historically, so the public is more likely to bet longshots.”

The Maple Leafs (11/1), Bruins (14/1) and Hurricanes (18/1) are the only other teams with odds below 20/1. At 20/1 is the Islanders, who actually lead the way in total dollars wagered at 15% among all Stanley Cup futures at Caesars Sportsbook. They’re the only team that has captured a double-digit percentage in that category, as the Avalanche rank second at 9%.

There are three teams each at 22/1 (Panthers, Penguins, Oilers), 25/1 (Wild, Capitals, Rangers), 30/1 (Canadiens, Stars, Flyers) and 40/1 (Blues, Flames, Jets). A pair of current 50/1 longshots have seen noteworthy odds shifts and betting intrigue leading up to the season—the Kraken and Blackhawks.

The NHL’s newest franchise in Seattle opened at 100/1 at Caesars Sportsbook, and one Nevada bettor even put $1,000 on Kraken 200/1 to win it all for a total potential payout of $201,000. That is the largest total potential payout on any 2021-22 Stanley Cup futures wager as of now at Caesars Sportsbook. The Kraken are tops in total number of tickets at 10% and third in total dollars wagered at 8%.

“It’s been somewhat similar to the Golden Knights’ first season, the public is buying into the fairytale with the expansion team,” Mucklow said. “Based off the Kraken’s expansion draft, I think they’re building for next year, but the public seems to think differently. But the liability for the Kraken is still nowhere near what it was for the Knights. The Knights had longer odds and they got the homer cash from locals while Seattle doesn’t have legalized sports betting.”

Meanwhile, the Blackhawks went from 80/1 to 50/1 after a busy offseason that was highlighted by the acquisition of star goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. An Indiana bettor placed $3,000 on Blackhawks 50/1 for a total potential payout of $153,000, which is the largest 2021-22 Stanley Cup futures wager at Caesars Sportsbook. Chicago is fifth in total number of tickets (6%) and fourth in total dollars wagered (7%).

Five more teams are below 100/1: the Canucks (60/1), Devils (60/1), Predators (60/1), Sharks (80/1) and Kings (80/1). The longest odds belong to the Sabres and Red Wings at 200/1 apiece, while four others sits in triple digits—the Senators (125/1), Blue Jackets (125/1), Ducks (150/1) and Coyotes (150/1).

Check out Caesars Sportsbook’s latest trends for 2021-22 Stanley Cup futures below.