Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings players pose for a team photo with the Stanley Cup after defeating the New York Rangers game five of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center. Reuters/Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been 17 years since the NHL saw a repeat Stanley Cup champion. While most teams still have close to 30 games left in the 2014-2015 regular season, there’s a good chance that streak will continue.

The Los Angeles Kings will have a very difficult time winning their second straight title, and third in four years. They find themselves out of the playoffs with very realistic chance to miss the postseason. L.A. is tied with three other teams, ranking ninth in the West with 56 points, and 12 teams have better than their 18/1 Stanley Cup betting odds.

The Kings have shown that they don’t need a top seed in order to win a championship. Last year, they finished third in the division and sixth in the Western Conference. Two years before that, Los Angeles was the No.8 seed and still managed to win the championship.

The team the Kings beat in the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals has a much better chance of making a return trip to the series. The New York Rangers have rebounded from a slow start to the year, and though they have the No.7 seed in the East, they are just four points behind the division-leading New York Islanders. The Rangers' Stanley Cup odds are 14/1.

Even though seven NHL teams have more points than the Chicago Blackhawks, they are still the favorites to win it all. At 11/2, their odds are just ahead of the Anaheim Ducks’, who have the second-most points in hockey. Chicago has reached the conference finals in four of the last six years.

Seven teams are tied with 12/1 odds. Included are perennial playoffs teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, and Detroit Red Wings. The Islanders also have 12/1 odds, but they haven’t advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs since the 1992-1993 season.

The Red Wings began the season as 22/1 favorites, but have moved up after some strong play in recent weeks. Mike Babcock's squad only has one loss since Jan. 11.

Below are the complete 2015 Stanley Cup betting odds, courtesy of Bovada.lv.

Chicago Blackhawks 11/2

Anaheim Ducks 13/2

St. Louis Blues 10/1

Boston Bruins 12/1

Detroit Red Wings 12/1

Pittsburgh Penguins 12/1

New York Islanders 12/1

Montreal Canadiens 12/1

Nashville Predators 12/1

Tampa Bay Lightning 12/1

New York Rangers 14/1

San Jose Sharks 16/1

Los Angeles Kings 18/1

Washington Capitals 25/1

Minnesota Wild 33/1

Vancouver Canucks 33/1

Winnipeg Jets 40/1

Calgary Flames 50/1

Colorado Avalanche 100/1

Dallas Stars 100/1

Florida Panthers 150/1

Philadelphia Flyers 200/1

New Jersey Devils 300/1

Ottawa Senators 300/1

Toronto Maple Leafs 300/1

Columbus Blue Jackets 500/1

Arizona Coyotes 1000/1

Carolina Hurricanes 1000/1

RELATED STORIES