Bovada’s latest odds had the New York Rangers as 13-4 favorites to win the Stanley Cup. The Chicago Blackhawks were 4-1. The Anaheim Ducks came in at 9-2.

It all looked logical except the Tampa Bay Lightning sitting at 15-2.

You can make a case that the Lightning should be one of the favorites in the Cup chase:

-During the regular season, the Lightning were 5-0 against the Montreal Canadiens, their next opponent. They were 3-0 against the Rangers and 6-1-1 against the teams remaining in the Western Conference. They were 1-2 against Washington.

-The Lightning were the best 5-on-5 team in the first round by a wide margin. Their power play (6.7%) hasn’t found its rhythm and when that happens, the Lightning could be unstoppable.

-Center Tyler Johnson is the hottest forward in the playoffs, scoring six goals in Tampa Bay’s seven games. His danger level is flowing over the top. He always looks like he’s two strides away from a breakaway. Think Pavel Bure in his heyday.

-Their confidence is strong after winning a Game 7 against the Detroit Red Wings. Goalie Ben Bishop, average at best for the first six games, was strong in the deciding game.

-The Lightning haven’t played their best hockey. Steven Stamkos hasn’t scored a goal yet, and he is one of the NHL’s most consistent goal scorers. He is likely to have an offensive explosion. They have a mobile defense, the league’s most dynamic offense and some grit. As long as Bishop plays as well as he did in Game 7, the Lightning meet the requirements to win it all.

Your games tonight

Washington at New York Rangers, 7:30, NBC Sports Network: The Rangers are better than they were when they reached the Stanley Cup Final last season. But the Capitals are overflowing with confidence.

Calgary at Anaheim, 10, NBC Sports Network: The Flames don’t have good karma in Anaheim’s Honda Center, going 0-15-5 there in the regular season since 2004. They did win one playoff game there in 2006.

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