The Washington Capitals claimed the 2017-18 Stanley Cup on Thursday night, which obviously means it’s time to see who the favorites are to win the whole damn thing next year.

Washington, despite their series win against the Las Vegas Golden Knights, are not among the top five teams with the best odds (via Bovada) next season. They come in at eighth.

The Nashville Predators, who finished the 2017-18 season with the best record in the NHL, have the sixth best odds to win the Stanley Cup next season.

Opening odds to win the 2018-19 #StanleyCup (Bovada): Lightning +900

Golden Knights +1000

Maple Leafs +1000

Bruins +1000

Jets +1000

Predators +1100

Penguins +1100

Capitals +1400 Complete list: https://t.co/dWnDXJ3dLH pic.twitter.com/46QxTxApXL — OddsShark (@OddsShark) June 8, 2018

I’m surprised the Preds don’t have better odds, to be honest. This is still a team that dominated for much of the season. And they aren’t losing anyone next season. They don’t have any tough contract decisions to make until AFTER the 2018-19 season (Pekka Rinne and Ryan Ellis will be unrestricted free agents).

The Preds had a rough stretch in the playoffs this year. But that couple of weeks shouldn’t define Nashville as a franchise.

I think the Preds will once again be a force to be reckoned with next season and I believe they should be considered one of the top two or three teams to win the 2018-19 Stanley Cup.

Featured image via Sporting News