Let's start with the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Los Angeles Kings. Somewhat surprisingly, Betfair have not made the Kings favourites to retain the crown, and they can in fact be supported at generous looking odds of 8/1. This is a team that has won two of the last three Stanley Cups and when you consider it's going to be basically the same personnel going for the crown this year, I'd make a strong case for the Los Angeles Kings being favourites for the title once again. Experienced coach Darryl Sutter has done a fantastic job with his squad of players since replacing Terry Murray mid way through the 2011 campaign. His first game in charge resulted in a victory over the Anaheim Ducks, and he hasn't looked backed since. The Kings victory over the New York Rangers really cemented Sutter's place as a Los Angeles Kings legend and I expect him to lead the team to further success.

Another side who deserve serious respect when it comes to this 2014/15 NHL season are the Boston Bruins. The 15/2 second favourites to win the Stanley Cup at betfair.com, the Bruins are one of the most consistent sides in NHL, having won their Division championship for the last four years in succession. The Bruins have also won the Stanley Cup as recently as the 2010-11 season and definitely have what it takes to be competitive again this year. A number of tragedies in the New England region including the Boston Marathon Bombing and the Newtown Shooting may well have put too much pressure on the players to try and make a positive for the area by winning last year's Stanley Cup, and things are likely to be a little easier this time around.

There are a whole host of other teams with outside chances of winning the 2014/15 Stanley Cup but I'd rather have the three sides I've already mentioned playing for me than anyone else in the 30 team field. As far as a complete no hoper goes, Betfair believe that this year's wooden spoon will be going the way of the Buffalo Sabres. On offer at odds of 150/1, the Sabres did win a Division championship back in the 2009-10 season but have done very little of note since. A number of changes were made after the start of last season, with former coach Ted Nolan being named as interim boss. As things stand, the position of captain is currently vacant and it looks like being another long hard season for the New York side. Stay tuned to Betfair.com for all the latest betting odds on the upcoming NHL matches and race for the Stanley Cup.