NHL Stanley Cup odds: Red-hot Bruins gain ground on favored Avalanche

The Boston Bruins are off to a scalding 23-4-1 start and are now the favorite to win this year's Stanley Cup. The Colorado Avalanche are struggling and they are tied for seventh in the Western Conference standings. They are also barely clinging to the playoff spot.

Colorado is the favorite to defend its Stanley Cup title despite a poor start to the season. Boston is second on the NHL Stanley cup odds board at +800. The gap has been eliminated entirely at Caesars Sportsbook. The Avs are 15-10-2 and one point clear of Calgary for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot. Nate MacKinnon is out for at least another three weeks. Gabriel Landeskog is also out.

Sportsbooks are reluctant to adjust Colorado's Stanley Cup playoff odds. Vegas Golden Knights are third best team in the Western Conference. New Jersey Devils have moved up the championship odds board. Pittsburgh Penguins are a perfect 6-0 in December and 11-1-2 in their last 13 games. The Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes are tied for fourth place in Eastern Conference and fifth overall. They are both from the conference. NHL Stanley Cups are decided on the basis of the standings. It is possible to bet on both conferences. For example, betting on one team from each conference: Pittsburgh vs. Carolina, or on a team with a winning record.