The Washington Capitals finished with the fewest goals allowed in the NHL this season. They also won another Metropolitan title in the toughest division in hockey, not to mention another Presidents trophy. However, those accomplishments ring hollow in the face of another postseason getting underway. The Capitals are all-in on yet another opportunity to win the Stanley Cup as the favorites in the Eastern Conference. Will Washington finally break through and win that elusive championship? Here is a look at the odds to win the Eastern Conference for all eight playoff teams.
Washington Capitals
Odds To Win Eastern Conference: +250
The Capitals ranked third in the NHL in goals per game and first in goals allowed per game. They ranked third in powerplay percentage and seventh in penalty kill percentage. Nicklas Backstrom is one of the league’s most complete forwards and Washington has some tremendous scoring depth led by Alex Ovechkin, T.J. Oshie, Evgeni Kuznetsov and Justin Williams. Perhaps most importantly, Braden Holtby is a Vezina trophy-caliber netminder. The Capitals are also healthy heading in to the postseason while some of their top contenders are dealing with injuries. There is no doubt the time is now for Washington to win it all. The Capitals deserve to be the favorites in the Eastern Conference.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Odds To Win Eastern Conference: +350
The Penguins are right there with Washington among the NHL favorites in the East. However, they will be without All-Star defensemen Kris Letang while Evgeni Malkin and Patrick Hornqvist are among their key forwards nursing lingering injuries. Sidney Crosby has played at an elite level again this season but he won’t be able to win it all on his own. Pittsburgh will also need young goaltender Matt Murray to perform at a high level the way he did last season. Injuries will hurt the Penguins, but their Stanley Cup experience should be a significant asset.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Odds To Win Eastern Conference: +400
Columbus is coming off an impressive season in which it posted a 50-24-8 record. However, the Blue Jackets have never made it past the opening round. Their final stretch of the regular season didn’t inspire confidence either as they went 3-6-2 over their final 11 games. Columbus has a lot to be proud about following an excellent season. However, they would feel like a bit of a reach at +400 odds to win the East. It seems like success for them would be getting to the second round or beyond. It’s hard to back them knowing how cold they are going into the NHL playoffs.
Montreal Canadiens
Odds To Win Eastern Conference: +650
At +650 odds, Montreal might be the smart sleeper pick to win the East. Carey Price has proven how dominant he can be when the stakes are the highest over the years. He will also have the benefit of playing behind the best defense core the Canadiens have had in recent years. Montreal posted a 16-6-1 record under Claude Julien since February 21st. The Canadiens also swept their season series against the New York Rangers. With a deep forward core, more formidable defense and the best goaltender in the world, Montreal could be a strong sleeper pick to win the East this postseason.
New York Rangers
Odds To Win Eastern Conference: +700
The Rangers are listed right behind Montreal in terms of the sports betting odds to win the East. However, New York went 0-3 against the Habs during the regular season. If they beat Montreal, they would likely meet either Washington or Pittsburgh in the second round. Henrik Lundqvist didn’t look like an elite goaltender this season as he posted a very pedestrian 2.74 goals against average and a .910 save percentage. It’ll be very difficult for the Rangers to go deep into the playoffs without stellar production from him. It’s ironic that after all of these years where Lundqvist was their best part and they needed more help around him that he’s finally become the weak link. New York is a lot higher on this list than it deserves to be.
Ottawa Senators
Odds To Win Eastern Conference: +900
The Senators might very well be the weakest team to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. With Erik Karlsson dealing with a lingering injury that forced him to miss the final few games of the regular season, their chances in the East are that much more limited. Craig Anderson and Mike Condon are a big reason why Ottawa has made it this far. However, with obvious holes up front and on defense as well as some substantial injury concerns, the Senators aren’t worth betting on to win the East. Take a closer look at some of their matchups in the first round because there might be some value there. There’s no value on them to win the East. It’s not happening.
Boston Bruins
Odds To Win Eastern Conference: +1400
Boston won’t be favored to beat the Senators in the opening round. However, they could easily upset Ottawa in the first round. The problem is that a first round upset would likely mean a second round matchup against Washington or Pittsburgh. The Bruins went 1-3-2 against those teams this season. Boston was fortunate to squeak in to the postseason. Don’t expect them to make it past the second round in the East. In previous years, they have been a threat to win it all. This year, getting to the playoffs was already a success.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Odds To Win Eastern Conference: +1400
A potential Cinderella team in the East, the Maple Leafs will be playing with house money come playoff time. Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander have led an incredible turnaround in Toronto. There is no doubt about their offensive talent. However, even at long odds it’s likely not worth it to take a shot on the Maple Leafs to win the East. Toronto has already accomplished a lot just by getting back to the postseason. However, beating Washington in the first round is an improbable task. The Maple Leafs deserve a ton of credit for getting this far. However, the dream likely ends against the Presidents trophy-winning Capitals in the first round.
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