We’ve moved through the Western Conference with a look at the Pacific Division and Central Division best bets. It’s now time to move over to the Eastern Conference, starting with the Atlantic Division. The Atlantic Division boasts the Eastern Conference Champion Florida Panthers and Presidents’ Trophy-winning Boston Bruins from last season. We’ll see how those teams fare along with the rest of the Atlantic as we take a look at one best bet for each team. Here is my Atlantic Division Betting Preview!
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NHL Atlantic Division Betting Preview: One Best Bet For Each Team
Boston Bruins
Over 101.5 regular season points (-105)
Yes, the Bruins lost Patrice Bergeron to retirement. And the same with David Krejci. And they had a few players leave in free agency or via trade for cap reasons. They’re still the Boston Bruins.
Here are the Bruins’ recent point totals:
- 2022-23: 135
- 2021-22: 107
- 2020-21: 73 in 56 GP (106.8 point pace)
- 2019-20: 100 in 70 GP (117 point pace)
- 2018-19: 107
They’re getting over 100 points again this season, and you can find them to make the playoffs at -280 if that’s up your alley.
Toronto Maple Leafs
To Win Atlantic Division (+200)
The Leafs won the division back in the shortened 2020-21 season but came up just short in each of the last two years. They finished those seasons with 115 and 111 points, though, and are poised for another great year.
With the Bruins taking a bit of a hit, the Lightning’s depth questionable (we’ll get to that), and the Panthers coming off the wear and tear of a long playoff run, it should be the Leafs’ division for the taking. Could it also be their year to win the Stanley Cup at 11/1?
Tampa Bay Lightning
To Miss The Playoffs (+225)
The Lightning have the potential to be a very volatile team this season. The Bolts are very top-heavy after losing key depth pieces year after year. They still have their big guns up front, on defense, and in net, but looking at their bottom-six forwards and bottom-four defensemen leaves much to be desired.
Tampa Bay can probably still push through for a playoff spot, but it’s a very competitive division, and a price of +225 is too good to pass up.
Florida Panthers
To Miss The Playoffs (+180)
Florida has been the State of Hockey in recent years, but I expect that to come crashing down this year. Now, I don’t expect both teams to miss the playoffs, but this is once again a good price for a beat-up Panthers team.
Both top defensemen, Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour, will be out through at least December due to shoulder injuries from the playoffs. Carter Verhaeghe is also questionable for the start of the season.
It’s also important to remember that this team miraculously squeezed into the playoffs last year after a mostly disappointing season.
Buffalo Sabres
To Make The Playoffs (+100)
With one of the Lightning or Panthers missing the playoffs, the Sabres have a chance to step up and go dancing for the first time since 2011.
Tage Thompson emerged as a superstar last season. Jeff Skinner remembered how to play hockey. Rasmus Dahlin headlines a great group of young defensemen. Devon Levi is a Calder Trophy candidate between the pipes.
There is a lot to like about this Buffalo team.
Ottawa Senators
To Make The Playoffs (+130)
OK, so if the Sabres don’t make the playoffs, the Senators have to. They aggressively made moves over the past two offseasons to make their team a contender.
Claude Giroux, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Jakob Chychrun have joined the likes of Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, and Thomas Chabot. Ottawa also has the depth to go up against some top teams.
Detroit Red Wings
Under 86.5 Regular Season Points (-106)
The Yzerplan has gotten a bit confusing in Detroit, and both the Sabres and Senators have leapfrogged the Red Wings in the Atlantic. Detroit made a few confusing moves this offseason, and yet their point total is set at 86.5 after finishing with 80 points last year.
This is a tough team to forecast for, but with the top teams in the division remaining competitive and the likes of Buffalo and Ottawa improving, I could see Detroit taking a step back.
Montreal Canadiens
Worst Regular Season Record (+750)
At least it’s clear what the Canadiens want to do: TANK!
There is a solid core in place with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, along with a few veteran guys up front, but the defense is young and unpolished. The goaltending situation in Montreal is even worse, with Jake Allen and Samuel Montembeault set to patrol the crease.
With how strong the Atlantic Division is, Montreal has a good chance to finish at the bottom of both the conference and the league.
