Written by Graeme on Saturday, September 23rd, 2017
Follow @BetNHL
We’re just a few weeks away from the season, and I’m wrapping up our divisional previews with this look at the NHL Atlantic Division today.
The Atlantic Division was won by the Montreal Canadiens last year. The Senators came 2nd, ending 3 years of the Lightning being runners up.
The Atlantic Division hasn’t produced a Stanley Cup winner since pre-realignment in 2009 when the Penguins took it.
With the return of Stamkos, the Lightning are the favourites to take the Atlantic Division with the Leafs and Habs closely behind them.
Let’s take a look at the odds:
Atlantic Division Winners Betting Odds:
- Lightning: 3.30
- Leafs: 4.50
- Canadiens: 4.50
- Bruins: 7.50
- Senators: 8.50
- Panthers: 10.00
- Sabres: 17.00
- Red Wings: 23.00
Those are the average odds across all the sportsbooks. For betting we recommend the following overall best NHL sportsbooks:
Canada: Sports Interaction
USA: Bovada
Everyone Else: Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
And now let’s check out each team and give my thoughts on them.
Atlantic Division Winners Betting Tips
Montreal Canadiens: I must admit I’m happy with the Habs pickups during the off-season. With Drouin it means Galcnehyuk is in the center again and its a pretty sick top line.
Price was good last season but not great – he fell out of the “elite” status in my opinion. However that’s actually a good thing in that the Habs did so well despite Price not being in tremendous form. They proved last season that they aren’t just a one man team. I mean if you look at the key stats I think it’s hard to even call Price a Top 5 goalie last season. There were many games I remember he didn’t step up.
I think the Habs have made the right moves during the off-season, and are a nice enough price(no pun intended) that they are worth the bet to take the Atlantic. I’m sure some will think I’m biased but honestly I became quite disillusioned with the Habs last season. Just the way they were playing I wasn’t really enjoying it. I’m all about the Knights this season and may even update my jersey on here!
Best odds for the Canadiens to win the Atlantic are:
Canada: 4.58 at Sports Interaction
USA: Odds aren’t up yet but we advise Bovada
Everyone Else: 4.50 at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Atlantic Division Betting Analysis:
Toronto Maple Leafs: Living just outside of Toronto let me tell you the hype for the Leafs is insane this year.
After last years performance, and from what my Leafs fan friends are telling me – you might as well just hand them the bloody cup.
However I just think it’s too early for this Leafs team. Honestly despite being a Habs fan I hope they prove me wrong – but I get the feeling they’re going to slump hard.
I’m actually debating betting against them even reaching the playoffs this year – the odds are bloody tempting.
Anyway I just don’t think the price is quite right for the Leafs to take the division. Too much hype has inflated them. It’s only worth betting them if you bet at 888 Sports which is at 5.25 and a price I’m a lot happier with.
Best odds for the Leafs to win the Atlantic
Canada: 5.25 at 888 Sports
USA: Odds aren’t up yet but we advise Bovada
Everyone Else: 5.25 at 888 Sports
Lightning: Initially I’d picked Tampa to win it but after going through everything I changed my mind.
Here’s what I intiially wrote:
I hate it because I feel reliant on Stamkos – but I think he’s just the cherry on the top. They had to deal with that loss last season but almost made the playoffs and they just seems to be getting better and better.
Their power play looks sick and Kucherov just gets better each year. If they can get their defensive pairings figured out and start them clicking – man, Tampa could be sick.
Gotta go with Tampa here. Honestly not sure if the odds make it a good bet or not – but I just find it hard to bet on the others.
However I’ve changed my mind prior to posting. There’s just so many “ifs” around this team and the odds just don’t seem like value. It’s a risky bet for poor odds and I went with the Habs as I felt that’s a better bet.
Best odds for the Lightning to win the Atlantic are:
Canada: 3.30 at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
USA: Odds aren’t up yet but we advise Bovada
Everyone Else: 3.30 at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Boston Bruins: The Bruins just don’t seem like a team that’s going to win it. They’re solid but they have too many off games. Rask just isn’t consistent enough for my liking and they haven’t made any big changes transaction wise. They’re a solid team for sure with 2 really good lines.
I think they’re probably a team to make the playoffs but I can’t see them being consistent enough to win the division.
Best odds for the Bruins to win the Atlantic are:
Canada: 8.00 at Sports Interaction
USA: Odds aren’t up yet but we advise Bovada
Everyone Else: 7.50 at 888 Sports
Ottawa Senators: I personally can’t see the Senators winning the division but their odds almost make me want to make a risky bet on them. They were incredible during the playoffs last year and were a tremendous team overall throughout the season. They were one that flew under everyones radar as well and caused a lot of upsets.
Honestly I dig what they produced last year. I’d advise a small bet on them.
Best odds for the Senators to win the Atlantic are:
Canada: 11.00 at 888 Sports
USA: Odds aren’t up yet but we advise Bovada
Everyone Else: 11.00 at 888 Sports
Florida Panthers: Quite a few changes to this team with a lot of strengthening of the right wing. A lot of players out who they relied on for goals.
They really seem like a wild card this season. I can’t see them winning the division but they may be a surprise bet to make the playoffs.
Best Odds for the Panthers:
Canada: 11.00 at 888 Sports
USA: Odds aren’t up yet but we advise Bovada
Everyone Else: 11.00 at 888 Sports
Buffalo Sabres: The Sabres have to do something at some point right? If Eichel remains healthy they could be a surprise team to make the playoffs. They’ve made some pretty solid moves but I’m just not convinced by their offense yet. I think they’re riding too much on Eichel and it won’t work out well for them. I’d like to be surprised by this team but I can’t get behind them – they need some more electricity in that offense.
Best odds for the Sabres to win the Atlantic are:
Canada: 18.00 at Sports Interaction
USA: Odds aren’t up yet but we advise Bovada
Everyone Else: 17.00 at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Red Wings: It’s expected to be a brutal year for Detroit fans. Honestly this is a year where Detroit should say “F the playoffs” and just take it easy. Not making the playoffs last year will hopefully take the pressure off them now that the streak is broken. Start focusing on youth, and start slowly making changes to set up the teams future and the NEXT 25 year streak.
At 8.00 it’s almost tempting to bet them to make the playoffs though – will be worth watching their mentality over the next little while and seeing if that’s something they’re going for.
Best odds for the Red Wings to win the Atlantic are:
Canada: 23.00 at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
USA: Odds aren’t up yet but we advise Bovada
Everyone Else: 23.00 at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
NHL teams seems to started already and this Pre season seems endless! Why don t they start competing right away?