After topping the NHL standings by a wide margin last season, the Tampa Bay Lightning return to action as clear favourites to repeat as Atlantic Division champions at +110 odds on the NHL betting futures at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
Tampa Bay equaled an NHL record with 62 regular season wins in 2018-19, finishing with 128 points. This time around, the two-time defending Atlantic Division champions sport -125 odds of compiling over 108.5 points, and have held steady as +750 favourites on the Stanley Cup odds.
After posting consecutive 100-point seasons for the first time in team history, the Toronto Maple Leafs sit second on the Atlantic Division odds at +275, just ahead of the Eastern Conference champion Boston Bruins, who follow closely at +325 on those NHL odds. The two other Canadian-based clubs in the Atlantic Division sit well off the pace, with the Montreal Canadiens set at +4000, and the Ottawa Senators lagging as lengthy +50000 longshots.
Over in the Metropolitan Division, a tight five-way race has emerged, led by the Washington Capitals, who are listed as +350 favourites to claim a fifth-straight division crown. Fresh off a fourth-straight 100-point season, the Pittsburgh Penguins sit second at +425. However, Sidney Crosby and company are expected to face fierce competition from the Carolina Hurricanes, who trail closely at +475 on the division betting futures after finishing just one point back of the Penguins last season.
Coming off their best season in 35 years, the New York Islanders are a +500 wager to win their first division title since 1988, joining the New Jersey Devils, who hope to rebound from last season’s last-place finish.
Over in the West, the Calgary Flames sit off the pace on the Pacific Division odds at +450 despite finishing atop the conference standings last season. The Vegas Golden Knights lead the way as strong -105 chalk, followed by the San Jose Sharks at +425. And while the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks are both expected to show improvement this season, both clubs sit well back of the favourites at +1100 and +1200, respectively.
And in the Central Division, the Colorado Avalanche continue to maintain their perch as +250 division favourites despite having failed so far to come to terms on a new contract with restricted free agent Mikko Rantanen.
Facing an array of personnel issues, including stalled contract negotiations with RFAs Patrick Laine and Kyle Conner, as well as Dustin Byfuglien’s possible retirement, the Winnipeg Jets sit back at +500 on that board. The Dallas Stars are surprising +400 second favourites on the Central Division odds, just ahead of the Nashville Predators and Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues, who sit knotted at +425.
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