NHL Atlantic Division Betting Report: Boston Gets Challenger

· Jan 17 - 6 minutes read

As the calendar turns to a new year, we’ve reached the midway point in what can be a long NHL season.

Although some fans may be ready to see the season come to an end after a disastrous year from their favorite team, others may be excited for another postseason and see what kind of surprises it may bring.

NHL Atlantic Division Betting Report: Boston Gets Challenger — Charlie McAvoy #73 of the Boston Bruins-Maddie Meyer/Getty Images/AFP

The Atlantic Division brought plenty of shock to the postseason last year after President’s Trophy winner Boston fell to Florida in the first round, despite numerous NHL picks having the Bruins going far in the playoffs. The Bruins may suffer the same kind of fate following the regular season this year.

Though Boston is currently on top of the Atlantic Division standings at the midway mark, the Florida Panthers aren’t too far behind and could end up taking over first place. There’s still a whole second half of the season to go, so read on to see what got these teams here in the first place and get help to make some NHL predictions for the postseason.

Contenders: The Battle for No. 1

Boston Bruins: The Real Deal? (-130 to Win Division)

The Boston Bruins are at the top of the division and fighting again for the top of the league. However, this isn’t the same Bruins team as it was the year prior, and things are about to get harder.

Though the Bruins were in the top two in both scoring and defense last year, they have dropped in both those units this season. Boston’s defense remains a top-five unit, but its offense has fallen to 12th in the league.

The Bruins also had one of the easiest schedules in the first half of the season, leading the way for a 26-8-9 record, but while they get more games at home, many of those opponents will get a lot tougher.

Florida Panthers: A Chance for the Top (+180)

The Florida Panthers have carried their success from last season into this year, sitting in second place in the division just four points behind Boston.

Florida recently saw its nine-game winning streak come to an end with a two-game skid, but things also get easier for them on the back end. The Panthers get a lot more home games in the second half, where they have a 13-6-1 record, while the competition largely remains the same.

The Panthers have also been one of the best defensive teams, ranking fourth allowing 2.56 goals a game, and despite their 516 penalty minutes being second in the league, Florida’s penalty kill has been dominant, killing 84.8% of chances for fourth in the league.

With its recent run and solid defensive play, along with a favorable schedule, Florida could be a strong NHL bet to grab the top spot from Boston by the end of the regular season.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Playoff Potential (+700)

The Maple Leafs are the final team in the top three of the division. However, their season could still end in a few different ways. Sitting 11 points behind Boston, grabbing first in the division seems more unlikely than falling to a wild-card spot at this point.

Toronto has had a pair of three-game losing streaks bookend a four-game win streak in their last 10 games, and with both Detroit and Tampa Bay hot on its track, it’ll have to figure things out soon to secure that automatic qualification. The Maple Leafs’ offense is fifth in the NHL, averaging 3.51 goals a game to help make up for their average defense, but in their past three games, they have struggled more, averaging 2.67 goals a game.

The Maple Leafs’ schedule is another thing that may also pose an issue to their playoff seeding, as the quality of their opponents gets a lot harder in the second half. After Toronto had some issues beating some inferior teams in the first half, it may be a longer second half of the season.

Detroit Red Wings: Making Some Noise (+10000)

The Red Wings had another disappointing season last year, but that could all change this season as they could finally reach the playoffs once more.

In fourth place and just one point behind Toronto, NHL betting fans have seen Detroit go on a bit of a roll lately, winning six of its last eight games. The Red Wings have seen a boost in their offense this season behind the duo of Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Larkin, helping them average 3.56 goals a game for fourth in the NHL.

However, like Toronto, the future is unclear, because the Red Wings will see a jump in their strength of schedule, as their opponent quality gets harder and their number of home games remains the same.

Bet On NHL Atlantic Division

Pretenders: Another Season Gone

Tampa Bay Lightning: Still A Chance (+3500)

Tied at 49 points with the Red Wings, the Lightning could still make a play and find themselves in a wild-card spot by season’s end. However, Tampa Bay’s goalie play hasn’t been strong, giving up 3.39 goals a game for seventh-worst in the league, so it’ll have to tighten up defensively to turn things around.

Montreal Canadiens: Better Luck Next Year (+20000)

Montreal got the season off to a nice start, winning five of its first eight games, but things dropped off after that. The Habs have the worst goal differential in the division, and with struggles winning both on the road and at home and as one of the youngest teams in the league, they may have a better shot next year.

Buffalo Sabres: Chance for Improvement (+20000)

The Sabres are another team that may be looking into next season, but after five wins in their last eight games, they could still raise their spot in the standings. Buffalo also has a weaker strength of schedule with a good number of home games, which could be a building block toward finishing on a high note.

Ottawa Senators: Time To Build (+15000)

The Senators are in last place in the division and 12 points away from seventh-place Buffalo. Although its offense has been strong, ranking 10th by averaging 3.32 goals a game, Ottawa’s defense has been one of the worst in the league, giving up 3.68 goals a game. In addition, the team owns one of the worst penalty kills. The Senators’ struggles on the road, winning just four games, also point to another year where they’ll head into the offseason quicker than most.