The 2015/16 NHL season is just around the corner and fans across the North America will be arguing over the chances of their respective teams finishing the season with Stanley Cup glory. The Ottawa Senators are one team that will be hoping to create history this season.
Having joined the NHL in the 1992/93 season, the Senators have yet to win a Stanley Cup championship since their inception. They are not one of the favourites to win the trophy this season but stranger things have happened.
The Senators managed to reach the Stanley Cup Final back in the 2006/07 season but were defeated 4-1 by the Anaheim Ducks in the best of seven series to deny the Canadian side their historic place in NHL folklore. Bookmakers are offering odds as long as 40/1 on Ottawa winning the Stanley Cup this season. Chicago Blackhawks are the stand-out team to watch as the 8/1 favourites to win it this season and will be looking to win back-to-back titles after their success last season.
They have got more favourable odds of winning the Eastern Conference at 20/1. Their recent history in the Eastern Conference has not been outstanding but gives cause for hope. They have reached the playoffs in seven of the last ten seasons and if you’re in the reckoning for the playoffs then there is no reason why you can’t look to spring a surprise a make a push to win the conference the following season. This conference is too close to call. New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning are the slight 11/2 favourites but other contenders include Pittsburgh Penguins at 6/1 and Montreal Canadiens at 13/2.
However, some bookmakers are listing them at a price of 8/1 to seal first place in their Atlantic Division. (You can find a list and reviews of Canadian-friendly sportsbooks at OnlineGambling.ca). This is a far more realistic proposition. The Senators have finished 1st in their division four times since 1998/99. They have also finished 2nd a further five times since that same year. Tampa Bay Lightning at 9/4 and Montreal Canadiens at 3/1 are the two teams that the Senators will have to watch if they want to win this division.
The odds being touted by bookmakers on success on any level for the Senators this season suggests that a trophy is not likely but that’s the beauty of sportsbetting. The bookies do not always get it right. After Los Angeles Kings prevailed as NHL Stanley Cup champions in 2014 there is a feeling of defying the odds in the air.
One factor remains that gives Senators fans hope. That factor is goaltender Andrew Hammond. His incredible run at the end of last season was nothing short of remarkable. Successful teams are built on solid foundations from the back. If last season is any indication, Hammond may be able to provide that foundation. Since he became the Senators number one stopper, he has got a statistic of only 1.79 GAA and a .941 save percentage. Oh and they also have Craig Anderson too.
The form of the Senators over recent years does not offer much hope for optimism. They have only progressed past the Eastern Conference Quarter Finals once in the past eight seasons and they have not added any big names to their roster for the upcoming season. That said, a few of their younger players are a season wiser and a season more experienced. That alone could see them feel like new signings. Hammond is perhaps the best example of one of those players.
This lack of big name additions will likely mean that they will be faced with another season of mediocrity relying on the experience of captain Erik Karlsson, right winger Mark Stone, left wing Mike Hoffman, and centre Kyle Turris to earn the points.
The Senators are already being written off by a number of pundits and bookmakers. However, you need to take a little deeper look. There is quality throughout this Senators side and if they can get through to the Conference Playoffs and get a bit of momentum behind them then there is no reason they cannot go all the way. If they can be picked up at odds of 40/1 to win the Stanley Cup at this stage then an each way bet is worth considering at the very least.
Part of the joy of sportsbetting and betting on hockey is the level of uncertainty. Knowing that you could back an underdog and they could go all the way and not only win for themselves but win you some money in the process. That’s what draws the fans in. It adds a level of excitement even when things are on a neutral playing field. Even if you’re not a Senators fan, if you place a bet on them to win the Atlantic Division or the Eastern Conference or the Stanley Cup itself then you suddenly partially become a Senators fan.
Come the end of this season, the Senators could well have a lot more fans!
