Ah, the fresh smell of new playoffs. The 2010 Stanley Cup tournament began Wednesday night with five games, including the 2010 champion Blackhawks in action against the Canucks.
How did the odds-makers view the 16 participants in this postseason? From Bodog, here are the last odds released before faceoff:
Odds to win the 2011 Stanley Cup
Vancouver Canucks 3/1
Washington Capitals 11/2
San Jose Sharks 7/1
Philadelphia Flyers 8/1
Boston Bruins 17/2
Detroit Red Wings 9/1
Pittsburgh Penguins 11/1
Anaheim Ducks 20/1
Tampa Bay Lightning 20/1
Chicago Blackhawks 22/1
Buffalo Sabres 25/1
Los Angeles Kings 30/1
Montreal Canadiens 30/1
Nashville Predators 30/1
Phoenix Coyotes 30/1
New York Rangers 35/1
The Sabres at 25-to-1 are an interesting long-shot, based on their momentum.
What's that you say? You'd like to see more wacky odds for the postseason? Well, of course you do.
Let's start with the MVP of the playoffs, shall we?
Who will win the Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff MVP?
Alex Ovechkin (WAS) 10/1
Daniel Sedin (VAN) 10/1
Henrik Sedin (VAN) 10/1
Roberto Luongo (VAN) 15/1
Tim Thomas (BOS) 25/1
Sidney Crosby (PIT) 25/1
Patrick Marleau (SJ) 25/1
Joe Thornton (SJ) 25/1
Pavel Datsyuk (DET) 25/1
Jeff Carter (PHI) 30/1
Mike Richards (PHI) 30/1
Dany Heatley (SJ) 30/1
Alexander Semin (WAS) 35/1
Milan Lucic (BOS) 35/1
Henrik Zetterberg (DET) 35/1
Nicklas Backstrom (WAS) 40/1
Claude Giroux (PHI) 40/1
Danny Briere (PHI) 40/1
David Krejci (BOS) 40/1
Jordan Staal (PIT) 40/1
Marc-Andre Fleury (PIT) 40/1
Ryan Miller (BUF) 50/1
Antti Niemi (SJ) 50/1
Jimmy Howard (DET) 50/1
Corey Perry (ANA) 50/1
Ryan Getzlaf (ANA) 50/1
Steven Stamkos (TB) 55/1
Zdeno Chara (BOS) 60/1
Carey Price (MTL) 60/1
Nicklas Lidstrom (DET) 60/1
Ilya Bryzgalov (PHO) 60/1
Martin St Louis (TB) 65/1
Patrick Kane (CHI) 65/1
Jonathan Toews (CHI) 65/1
Michal Neuvirth (WAS) 70/1
Shane Doan (PHO) 70/1
Henrik Lundqvist (NYR) 75/1
Thomas Vanek (BUF) 75/1
Pekka Rinne (NAS) 75/1
Marian Gaborik (NYR) 90/1
Dwayne Roloson (TB) 100/1
Ryan Kesler (VAN) 100/1
Dustin Brown (LAK) 100/1
Jonathan Quick (LAK) 100/1
Teemu Selanne (ANA) 100/1
Tomas Plekanec (MTL) 125/1
Patrick Sharp (CHI) 125/1
Marian Hossa (CHI) 125/1
Dustin Penner (LAK) 125/1
Drew Doughty (LAK) 125/1
Shea Weber (NAS) 125/1
Drew Stafford (BUF) 150/1
Michael Cammalleri (MTL) 150/1
Brian Gionta (MTL) 150/1
Vincent Lecavalier (TB) 150/1
Patric Hornqvist (NAS) 150/1
Sergei Kostitsyn (NAS) 150/1
Brandon Dubinsky (NYR) 200/1
Keith Yandle (PHO) 200/1
So is 25-to-1 on Sid a sucker bet or a wise investment?
From Bodog, what are known as the "special" wagers on the playoffs:
How many games will the Stanley Cup winning team play in the 2011 NHL playoffs?
Over/Under 23.5
Will a division winner win the 2011 Stanley Cup?
Yes -275
No +215
How Many First Round Series will be decided in 7 games?
Over 2 +110
Under 2 -140
How many 5 through 8 seed will advance past the first round?
Over 2.5 -150
Under 2.5 +120
How Many First Round Series will be decided in 4 games?
Over 1 Even
Under 1 -130
How many games will go to overtime in the 2011 NHL Playoffs?
Over/Under 17.5
Will any game go to triple overtime in the 2011 NHL Playoffs?
Yes - 200
No +150
How many points will be scored by the point scoring leader in the 2011 NHL Playoffs?
Over/Under 28.5
How many goals will be scored by the goal scoring leader in the 2011 NHL Playoffs?
Over/Under 13.5
What will be the most individual penalty minutes accumulated in the 2011 NHL playoffs?
Over/Under 43.5
Will any player score a hat trick in the first round of the NHL Playoffs?
Yes -300
No +225
Some of these are fascinating. Will Corey Perry of the Ducks score over 13 goals in the postseason, facing the stingy (and upset-minded) Predators in the first round?
And will we see more than 17 overtime games?