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Nashville Predators are favorites to win Stanley Cup (right now)

By Corey Francis

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 27: Kevin Fiala #22 of the Nashville Predators is congratulated by teammates Craig Smith #15, Roman Josi #59, and Colton Sissons #10 after scoring a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the third period of a 4-1 Jets victory in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 27, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 27: Kevin Fiala #22 of the Nashville Predators is congratulated by teammates Craig Smith #15, Roman Josi #59, and Colton Sissons #10 after scoring a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the third period of a 4-1 Jets victory in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 27, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 27: Kevin Fiala #22 of the Nashville Predators is congratulated by teammates Craig Smith #15, Roman Josi #59, and Colton Sissons #10 after scoring a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the third period of a 4-1 Jets victory in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 27, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 27: Kevin Fiala #22 of the Nashville Predators is congratulated by teammates Craig Smith #15, Roman Josi #59, and Colton Sissons #10 after scoring a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the third period of a 4-1 Jets victory in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 27, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

One month is complete. Teams are starting to see who they are and what they can do this season. Right now, the Nashville Predators are Stanley Cup favorites.

The opening month of the NHL season reached it’s conclusion last week. Most teams played 12 games to this point, with only the Florida Panthers having less. Lines are starting to settle in and teams are evaluating who they are. When it comes to the Nashville Predators, one thing is clear: they are the favorites to win the Stanley Cup.

Well, at least so far. Now, I know the Cup is not won in October. Nor in November for that matter. The Washington Capitals were a mere 5-6-1 in October last season. Yet, a 6-2-1 start in 2016 set the Penguins up for success later. Getting off to a good start never hurt any team. The start the Nashville Predators are making is certainly a strong one.

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As we sit here on November 5, 2018, the Predators are the top team in the NHL. With 22 points, they are ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning by a single point. The surprising Calgary Flames are three points back, while Minnesota, Toronto, and Vancouver are tied with 18 points.

According to Odds Shark, the Predators hold the third best odds (+850) to win the Stanley Cup, trailing Toronto (+650) and Tampa (+700). Nashville odds are up from the +1100 to start the season.

It is not all sunshine and rainbows for the Predators, but they are making a clear statement to the rest of the league. Nashville is primed to win the Stanley Cup.

Need reasons why? How about these.

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