Oddsmakers favor Blackhawks over Lightning in Stanley Cup Final

The Chicago Blackhawks appear set to win their third Stanley Cup in five years.

That's the consensus reached by oddsmakers, at least, who have Chicago pegged to come out on top of the upcoming series against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Lightning finished the season with 108 points, and ranked second in goal differential with a plus-51 rating. Their path to the final included series wins over the Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, and New York Rangers.

Chicago, who got the better of the Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, and Anaheim Ducks en route to the final, earned 102 regular season points, and finished fifth with a goal differential of plus-41.

If these odds are any indication, hockey fans are in for a treat either way, with a long series likely on tap.