DraftKings announced Wednesday that it reached an agreement to become the official sports betting, daily fantasy sports and iGaming partner of the NHL as well as the exclusive NHL sportsbook and DFS provider for Turner Sports.
Regarding the working relationship between DraftKings, Turner Sports and the NHL, DraftKings CEO Jason Robins said:
"The NHL has some of the most passionate fans in all of sports and we are delighted to be working with the league once again, while developing a rich and engaging viewership and content experience that matches this fanbases' enthusiasm through our deal with Turner. Over the years DraftKings has become a brand synonymous with sports, with a fan-first approach through real-money gaming options, and we look forward to collaborating with the NHL alongside Turner Sports and Bleacher Report to provide hockey fans with what's next in sports."
The partnership is in conjunction with Turner Sports' new multimedia rights agreement with the NHL, which will have 50 regular-season games air on TNT during the 2021-22 season as well as the Stanley Cup playoffs and Stanley Cup Final.
NHL Chief Business Officer and Senior Executive Vice President Keith Wachtel also commented on the new arrangement, saying:
"As we embark on what promises to be a thrilling 2021-22 NHL season, our partnership with DraftKings, as well as with Turner Sports, will provide for new and exciting experiences to deepen our fan engagement. We're proud to welcome back DraftKings to the NHL family, and look forward to collaborating together with Turner Sports—one of our valued media partners—to develop unique and exciting content for our fans."
The partnership will allow Turner Sports to utilize DraftKings betting and daily fantasy information and content on its telecasts and across all Bleacher Report digital platforms.
The 2021-22 campaign represents a new beginning for the NHL, as its 16-year run with NBC came to an end following the 2020-21 season.
Now, the NHL has broadcasting rights deals with both Turner Sports and ESPN for the foreseeable future.
Regular-season games will air on TNT every Wednesday night throughout the 2021-22 season, and the slate will kickoff this Wednesday with the New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks vs. Colorado Avalanche.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are the defending Stanley Cup champions, but it's the Colorado Avalanche that are the betting favorites to win the 2021 title.
The Avalanche are listed at +650 to raise the Cup this season ($100 bet wins $650), just ahead of the Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights, according to DraftKings:
Colorado was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs last season but were without some key players in the loss to the Dallas Stars. The team should be back to full strength in 2021 while adding Devon Toews, Brandon Saad and more this offseason.
Of course, the Avalanche also have two of the top young players in the NHL in Hart Trophy finalist Nathan McKinnon and Calder Trophy winner Cale Makar. It could make this a dangerous squad this season.
The Lightning also aren't going to go away after cruising to a title last year, although losing Nikita Kucherov to hip surgery will hurt after he led the team in both goals and assists last season.
There is likely enough depth to overcome the lost production, but the loss has created question marks going into the year.
The Detroit Red Wings are the biggest long shots at 300-1 to win it all after finishing with by far the fewest points in the NHL last season.
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Leon Draisaitl may have won the 2019-20 Hart Trophy, but his Edmonton Oilers teammate Conor McDavid is the favorite to take home the NHL MVP this season.
DraftKings Sportsbook currently lists McDavid as a +450 favorite to take home hockey's top honor. However, Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon has actually drawn in the largest number of bets at +550.
Draisaitl is apparently far from the bettors' minds, as he does not show up among the favorites or most-bet options. No player has repeated as the Hart winner since Alexander Ovechkin in 2007-08 and 2008-09.
McDavid previously won the Hart Trophy in 2016-17 at the age of 20 and has finished in the top five in voting each of the last four years.
MacKinnon has finished second in the Hart voting twice in the last three years, and it's considered a matter of time before he ultimately adds the MVP to his mantle.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA).
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The Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues are listed as co-favorites to win the 2019 Stanley Cup ahead of the Eastern and Western Conference semifinals.
Here's a look at the complete list of updated betting lines released Thursday, which show a tightly packed field with even the long shot Dallas Stars (+900; bet $100 to win $900) owning odds of better than 10-1 to win the NHL championship:
The opening round of the playoffs was littered with upsets.
All four No. 1 seeds—the Tampa Bay Lightning, reigning champion Washington Capitals, Nashville Predators and Calgary Flames—were eliminated.
The Bolts' exit was the most shocking. They dominated during the regular season with a 62-16-4 record for 128 points, just four shy of the all-time NHL record held by the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens.
Then, out of nowhere, Tampa ended up being swept out of the first round by the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Washington became the last top seed knocked out of the playoffs Wednesday night when it suffered a Game 7 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
The chaos from the first round leaves the championship chase wide open heading into the conference semifinals.
It's rare to say at this stage of a postseason that every team remaining holds a legitimate chance of winning the title, but that's the case in the NHL this year, and the odds reflect it.
Round 2 kicks off Thursday night as the Blue Jackets take on the Bruins and the Stars battle the Blues.
