The NHL is a brutal league. Between the hard hits, relentless schedule, and some teams’ complete inability to stay competitive, it’s a wonder any fanbase sticks around. Yet here they are, year after year, cheering for teams that seem about as likely to win the Stanley Cup as a roulette ball landing on double zero three times in a row.
And you know what? For a handful of teams, those Stanley Cup odds really are that bleak. If you’ve ever thrown your money on the roulette table and watched it vanish into the abyss, you’ll understand how it feels to support some of the league’s perennial basement-dwellers. Let’s break down why, for some NHL franchises, winning the Cup is less likely than pulling off a gambling miracle.
Roulette and Hockey: The Spin of the Wheel
Roulette is a simple enough game: throw a ball onto a spinning wheel and hope it lands on your number. For the purposes of this comparison, double zero is our target—a rare outcome with some of the worst odds in the casino. It’s the same kind of odds that some NHL teams face when it comes to winning the Stanley Cup.
Now, landing on double zero once is rare. Twice? Insanely rare. Three times? You’ve probably got a better chance of seeing the Arizona Coyotes hoist the Cup. In fact, if you’re backing some of these lower-tier NHL teams, you’re almost better off trusting your luck to the roulette wheel.
The Coyotes, Blue Jackets, and Other Perennial “Rebuilders”
Ah, the Arizona Coyotes. How many seasons have we heard that they’re “building for the future”? They’ve been building something for a decade, but whatever it is, it sure doesn’t look like a Stanley Cup contender. The odds of them lifting the Cup are about as favorable as a roulette ball defying physics and hitting double zero multiple times in a row. The team’s consistently low expectations mean fans are stuck in a never-ending loop of hoping for miracles that just don’t happen.
Next up: the Columbus Blue Jackets. Every year, their fans think, “Maybe this is the season,” but that season never comes. It’s like betting your life savings on the roulette wheel, watching it spin, and watching it land on anything but your number. Hope dies hard, but it dies all the same.
And let’s not forget about the Buffalo Sabres, who haven’t seen playoff success since 2011. Sabres fans, you might want to hit the casino instead because your chances of winning big at the roulette table are about the same as your team making a deep playoff run.
Teams Stuck in the Middle: The “Red/Black” Squads
Now, there’s another group of teams who are betting on red or black—safe-ish, but not all that exciting. Sure, the Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets are competitive enough to maybe sneak into the playoffs, but winning the Stanley Cup? Let’s just say they’re like picking red in roulette—it might work out for you but don’t expect fireworks.
These teams float somewhere between mediocrity and occasional playoff relevance, but they lack that X-factor that truly sets contenders apart. Yeah, they’ll give you hope, but at the end of the day, it’s about as satisfying as breaking even at the casino.
The Powerhouse Teams: Betting on Single Numbers
Of course, if you’re backing teams like the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, or Tampa Bay Lightning, it’s like betting on a single number in roulette but actually having a decent shot at hitting it. The odds are still long, but you know you’ve got a contender. These teams have the firepower, star talent, and coaching to make a serious Cup run, and their fanbases aren’t relying on dumb luck. It’s more calculated risk, which is why the Stanley Cup odds for these teams are pretty solid year in and year out.
When you’re backing a powerhouse like the Avalanche, you know you’ve got a shot. It’s like betting on your lucky number—there’s a rush, there’s tension, but deep down, you’re thinking, “I might actually hit this.”
So, What’s Worse: NHL Longshots or Roulette?
If we’re talking pure odds, backing some of the NHL’s perennial losers is probably worse than playing roulette. At least in online roulette, you know your fate in a few minutes and can make another play. In the NHL, you’re stuck watching your team flounder for an entire season, hoping they don’t blow it… again.
For some NHL teams, like the Coyotes or Blue Jackets, you might as well take your money, head to the nearest casino, and plop it down on double zero. At least then, you’ll have the thrill of seeing your chances evaporate in seconds instead of being dragged out over an 82-game season.
Conclusion: Maybe Try the Casino?
In the end, whether you’re a hockey fan or a roulette addict, sometimes the odds are just stacked against you. But here’s the kicker: at least the roulette table doesn’t pretend it’s “rebuilding” or “planning for next year.” It’s honest with you—win or lose, that wheel’s gonna spin. Some NHL teams, on the other hand, will keep selling you the future while you sit there hoping for the impossible.
So, if you’re tired of watching your team flail around aimlessly for another season, maybe try your luck at the casino. It might be the same thrill as hoping for a Stanley Cup win—but with better odds.
