NHL Eastern Conference Winner Odds: Can Tampa Bay Make It Three in a Row?

NHL Eastern Conference Winner Odds: Can Tampa Bay Make It Three in a Row?

In the last two seasons, the Tampa Bay Lightning have won the Eastern Conference over the New York Isalnders. While it's unlikely that the Islanders make it back to the Eastern Conference Final, or even the playoffs for that matter, oddsmakers like the chances of Tampa Bay being able to get back there and to win.

With the trade deadline 18 days away, the build up for the NHL playoffs is really going to get started. Today, let's take a look at the odds for which team is expected to come out of the Eastern Conference:

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Tampa Bay Lightning +380 (Bet $100 to win $380)

Is it a surprise to anyone to see the Tampa Bay Lightning at the top of the Atlantic Division? Like we previously mentioned they've won back-to-back Stanley Cups and have been to the playoffs in seven of the last eight seasons. This team is just stacked with talent from top to bottom.

Nikita Kucherov just returned to the lineup to go along with Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point, Viktor Hedman, and the best goalie in the sport in Andrei Vasilevskiy. Even their depth guys like a 36-year-old Corey Perry are producing at a high level.

With their star power and the proven track record, as cliche as it may be, they are a good pick to go back to the Cup this year.

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Florida Panthers +400 (Bet $100 to win $400)

The Florida Panthers will just outscore you. They are first in the NHL in goals for with 218 so far this year, and they have five players with over 18 goals on the season already just past the halfway point. Like Tampa, Florida too has the star power on their roster and Sergei Bobrovsky in net has turned back the clock five years with his play this season.

The Panthers have been a team on the rise the last two years but they got bounced in the Qualifying round in the bubble in 2020 and they lost in the first round last year to Tampa Bay in six games.

They've clearly taken a step in the right direction but will they be able to go from first-round exits to Stanley Cup Final this time? That's the question at hand.

Toronto Maple Leafs +500 (Bet $100 to win $500)

Is this the year they finally do it? No, not win the Eastern Conference I'm talking about winning a playoff round. The Leafs have made the playoffs for five straight years but have gotten bounced in the first round of the playoffs each time. It's certainly not for lack of talent.

Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, William Nylander, and Morgan Rielly is an insane core. The depth due to all these high-priced players is what comes into question every year in the playoffs.

To their credit, it does help that Jack Campbell has established himself as their number one goalie. We'll see if this is the year that they finally get over the hump but they still have a ton to prove.

Carolina Hurricanes +550 (Bet $100 to win $550)

The Hurricanes are another team that's been good for a while they just haven't been able to get over the hump. They lost in the Conference Final in 2019, the first round in 2020, and the second round in 2021. They too have to get past the Tampa Bay Lightning which is something they haven't figured out quite yet.

Carolina is sixth in the league in goals for and second in the league in goals against. They are one of the most well-balanced teams in the entire sport and if you're looking for value outside of the top, this might be the team to back.

Frederik Andersen has been excellent for them in net this year with a .930 save percentage and a 2.03 goals against average. What was once one of their bigger weaknesses, goalie play, is one of the team's best strengths.

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Eastern Conference Winner Odds

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