I admit it. I didn’t see this one coming. The Ducks have been known as a team that chokes in the playoffs. Since their cup win in 2007, they haven’t done a whole lot in the postseason, and I didn’t think that this year would be any different. In fact, I had the Flames beating them in the first round. Foolish me.
Anaheim Ducks 2017 Stanley Cup Odds Favorites
But here we are, the Ducks are the first team to punch their ticket to the second round of the NHL playoffs and hockey betting experts everywhere are scrambling to re-look at this club.
On paper, the Ducks are stacked. But it was the injuries to goaltending star John Gibson and the dark playoff past that prevented many from jumping on board. But boy am I ever on board now. You look at a vintage Ryan Getzlaf at center, racking up the points, with second line center Ryan Kesler playing out of his mind on both ends at the ice.
The difference this year appears to be the acquisition of Patrick Eaves. He is having an incredible run scoring goals, and he hasn’t slowed down since they got him from the Dallas Stars. He has really provided the Ducks with the scoring winger they have missed since Bobby Ryan was moved to Ottawa.
The final piece appears to be Rikard Rakell, a sniper who has over 30 goals despite missing the first month of the season. For some reason, Rakell’s stellar season has gone under the radar. He has produced in the postseason thus far as well, giving this team exactly what they need offensively.
The Ducks have always had great defense. They really do have an embarrassment of riches on the blue line. So the sky really is the limit for this club.
As I predict the Oilers-Sharks series will go the distance, it means that the Ducks will be the most rested team heading into the second round of play. That’s huge when you consider how many veterans they have on their roster. With the Hawks on the brink of elimination and the Wild also on the ropes, the Ducks may have home ice advantage the rest of the postseason!
So consider Anaheim Ducks 2017 Stanley Cup odds as a viable hockey picks option moving forward.
Matthew Ross is a sports commentator and a radio host on TSN 690 Radio in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Follow him @MatthewWords.
