Alright, I know - it’s barely November. But we hockey betting sharps are always looking for favorable NHL odds, even if they’re in the NHL futures department. NHL betting hasn’t given us too many surprises thus far, as most teams that were projected to be sitting at the top of their division are doing just that. However, there have been a few curveballs which have skewed the NHL betting lines quite a bit, creating excellent value all over the place on your sportsbook.

Let’s take a look at the top five Stanley Cup contenders after the first month of play!

5. New York Rangers

This is the aforementioned curveball in the oddsmakers’ plans for the NHL. Logically, the loss of a franchise player in Jaromir Jagr, an agitator in Sean Avery and a season veteran in Brendan Shannahan should have meant that 2008 would be a drastic rebuilding year for the Blueshirts. Avery was essentially replaced by Minnesota Wild cast-off Aaron Voros, who at press time had nine points in fourteen games. How are they doing it? Who knows. All you need to know is that with an All-Star goaltender in net (Henrik Lundqvist), anything is possible, making them a great value pick in Stanley Cup futures.

4. Buffalo Sabres

Just score, baby! That’s the strategy the Buffalo Sabres have employed, and it’s paying dividends thus far. While fans were quick to write off Thomas Vanek, NHL betting sharps were aware of his explosive potential. True to the scouting report, Vanek has soared out of the gate with nine goals already this season. The Sabres have the advantage of three solid scoring lines, and an enforcer trio of Adam Mair, Andrew Peters and Patrick Kaleta that has teams shaking in their skates.

3. Montreal Canadiens

If you believe in the magic and mystique of ‘Les Habitants,’ then this is the season to bet on them. As good and as explosive as the Canadiens were last season, they’re even better this year. The addition of veteran sniper Robert Lang has solidified the third line, to the point that it’s arguably the best checking line in the NHL. That kind of depth and skill - combined with the stellar goaltending of Carey Price - is a Stanley Cup formula.

2. San Jose Sharks

I expect some hate mail because of this one, from angry NHL bettors who have laid it on the line with the Sharks over the past…decade, or so. However, this very well may be the year that the Sharks go all the way, and in fact, because of their past follies - the NHL betting lines are pretty juicy!

1. Detroit Red Wings

Some things never change - particularly the Red Wings being favored on Stanley Cup futures and NHL lines virtually every year from 1997 to the present day. They’re just too darn good - and their one question mark from the offseason, backup goaltending, has been solved with Ty Conklin. Whatch’a gonna do when the Red Wings come after you?