A new season in the NHL gets underway this week in the quest to win this year’s Stanley Cup title. The St. Louis Blues stunned the betting world last year by winning it all after missing the playoffs the year before.
The fact that anything can happen in the playoffs keeps things wide open for a number of teams this year in both the Eastern and Western Conference. Using the NHL futures odds at BetOnline sportsbook, here is a look at the best value on the board to win the East and West title.
NHL Eastern Conference Futures
The Tampa Bay Lightning was almost unstoppable in the 2018/2019 regular season with 62 wins and 128 total points. Unfortunately, that dominance did not carry over to the playoffs in a stunning early exit against the Columbus Blue Jackets. They have the best odds to win the East this year at +400, and they are also +700 favorites to win the Stanley Cup.
The Lightning are still the most talented team in the NHL on both ends of the ice. The ability to use last year’s disappointment in the postseason as a motivational tool this time around will determine how far Tampa Bay goes.
The two second-favorites to win the East this season at +700 odds are the Boston Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs as Tampa Bay’s main competition in the Atlantic Division.
Boston made it all the way to the NHL Finals, but this team is starting to show its age. The Bruins will once again contend for the conference title, but they are going to need a few breaks along the way. Toronto has the talent to take that next step, but off-ice issues could stand in the way.
The most interesting team to watch in the East this season could be the Florida Panthers also playing out of the stacked Atlantic Division. They are listed as +900 four-favorites to win the East behind some outstanding teams in their own division. Led by legendary coach Joel Quenneville, the Panthers can compete for a Stanley Cup if everyone plays to expectations.
The top two teams on the list from the Metro Division are Washington and Pittsburgh at +1000 odds. They are probably the only two Metro teams that have a chance to beat the best from the Atlantic.
NHL Western Conference Futures
The race to the Stanley Cup out of the West will once again be a tight one with as many as eight teams having a legitimate shot at winning the conference. For example, the Vegas Golden Knights are the favorites at +550, and the Calgary Flames are eighth on the list at +1000 betting odds.
The Knights are +1200 second-favorites to win a NHL title along with Toronto. After shaking up the league as an expansion team in 2018 on their way to the conference title, they took a slight step backward last season. Heading into its third season, Vegas appears ready to get back on top in the West. Much of its chances will hinge on veteran goalie Marc-Andre Fleury’s ability to carry this team in the postseason.
The second-favorites to win the West are the Colorado Avalanche at +600 odds. Following a breakout season where they won 38 games while posting 90 points, the Avalanche has the early support of the betting public to take another big leap forward this season. If you are looking for a solid value play ahead of the regular season, taking Colorado now before it drives down those odds with its elevate game in the regular season.
The logjam at the top of the list continues with the Blues as +700 third-favorites to repeat followed by Winnipeg at +800 odds. Three teams have +900 odds to win the West (Dallas, Nashville and San Jose).
Eastern/Western NHL Conference Future Odds as report by MyBookie Sportsbook!!
2019/20 EASTERN CONFERENCE – TO WIN
- TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING +325
- TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS +400
- BOSTON BRUINS +500
- WASHINGTON CAPITALS +1000
- FLORIDA PANTHERS +1000
- PITTSBURGH PENGUINS +1200
- NEW YORK ISLANDERS +1400
- CAROLINA HURRICANES +1000
- PHILADELPHIA FLYERS +1600
- COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS +2200
- MONTREAL CANADIENS +1800
- NEW JERSEY DEVILS +1400
- NEW YORK RANGERS +2200
- BUFFALO SABRES +3500
- DETROIT RED WINGS +4500
- OTTAWA SENATORS +15000
2019/20 WESTERN CONFERENCE – TO WIN
- VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS +375
- COLORADO AVALANCHE +475
- ST LOUIS BLUES +600
- CALGARY FLAMES +900
- SAN JOSE SHARKS +900
- WINNIPEG JETS +1100
- NASHVILLE PREDATORS +800
- DALLAS STARS +700
- EDMONTON OILERS +1700
- ARIZONA COYOTES +2000
- CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS +1700
- VANCOUVER CANUCKS +2000
- MINNESOTA WILD +2500
- LOS ANGELES KINGS +4000
- ANAHEIM DUCKS +4000
