2013 Eastern Conference Betting Odds
The lockout is over and hockey is back and the sportsbooks have the NHL future lines posted for the NHL's Eastern Conference. The Pittsburgh Penguins sre the betting line favorite to win the Eastern Conference this season with odds of 4.5 to 1. Let's take a look at the contenders with their future lines listed from Bovada
The Penguins were ousted from the playoffs early last season and they look to rebound this season. They were the highest scoring team in the league last season and Evgeni Malkin led the NHL in points and was 2nd in goals. Sidney Crosby is in shape and healthy and he needs to stay that was this season. C Jordan Staal and DF Zbynek Michalek were dealt in the off-season and those are big losses. G Marc-Andre Fleury was solid last year and needs to play well in the playoffs.
The Rangers lost in the Eastern Conference finals last season and their offense sputtered in the series, which is why they gave up several players to land 5-time All Star Rick Nash. New York lost some key players and along with Nash they brought in Taylor Pyatt, Jeff Halpern and Arron Asham. The Rangers are stacked and are solid on both sides of the ice and how the new players mesh will be key for the Rangers this season.
The off-season has not gone well for the Flyers, who not only lost Jaromir Jagr and Matt Carle, but also they failed to land any of the big names they went after. Sean Couturier and Brayden Schenn were both solid as rookies last season and All-Star Claude Giroux will be counted on for another good campaign.. The offense should not be the problem, but the defense is a concern since they failed to add any big names to the back line. G Ilya Bryzgalov was up and down last season and needs to be more stable in between the pipes.
The Bruins flamed out of the playoffs early last season and in this off-season they stood pat with the team they have. Boston ranked 2nd in the league last season in scoring and that will not be a concern, but the goaltending will be since Tim Thomas is taking the season off. Tuukka Rask will take over in goal and will have to play well.
The Capitals and Hurricanes each have the same odds to win the East at 15.00. Washington has the stars, but they struggled last season on offense and need to prove they can win once the playoffs come around. The Canes made some good off-season moves and they need them to pan out, especially on defense since Carolina gave up more goals than they scored last season.
The Devils made it to the finals last season and while they re-signed several key players, including G Martin Brodeur, and brought in Krystofer Barch they lost captain Zach Parise, who signed a huge contract with Minnesota. Still the Devils are solid and may be a good pick at
2013 Betting Odds to Win the Eastern Conference
All odds below were avaialble at 5Dimes on January 17th 2013. Click Here to get the up to the minute Eastern Conference Future odds.
- Pittsburgh Penguins 4.50
- New York Rangers 5.50
- Philadelphia Flyers 7.00
- Boston Bruins 9.00
- Washington Capitals 15.00
- Carolina Hurricanes 15.00
- New Jersey Devils 17.00
- Buffalo Sabres 17.00
- Tampa Bay Lightning 17.00
- Toronto Maple Leafs 21.00
- Ottawa Senators 26.00
- Florida Panthers 26.00
- Montreal Canadiens 26.00
- Winnipeg Jets 34.00
- New York Islanders 76.00
