Philadelphia Flyers fans were encouraged by their team’s march to the top seed in the Eastern Conference ahead of last season’s playoffs, but thanks in part to goaltender Carter Hart’s struggles this season, the Flyers currently sit in fifth place in the NHL’s East Division, 12 points back of Washington. They are just one point back of fourth-place Boston, who currently hold the last playoff spot in the division, but the Bruins have three games in hand on both Philadelphia and Washington. After Washington come the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh.
Let’s look at latest online NHL betting odds to win the East crown and take a quick look at the division’s eight clubs.
NHL News: Odds to Win the East Division
Team Standings and Odds
| Team | W-L-OTL | Points | Odds |
| Washington Capitals | 23-7-4 | 50 | +130 |
| New York Islanders | 22-10-4 | 48 | +290 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 23-11-2 | 48 | +320 |
| Boston Bruins | 17-9-5 | 39 | +380 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 17-13-4 | 38 | +4500 |
| New York Rangers | 15-15-4 | 34 | +7000 |
| New Jersey Devils | 13-16-4 | 30 | +50000 |
| Buffalo Sabres | 6-23-5 | 17 | +400000 |
Did you know that Washington has a winning record against every other team in their division except the New York Rangers? Meanwhile, the Blueshirts have struggled against just about everyone else.
The Islanders have lost captain Anders Lee for the season with a torn ACL. As the trade deadline approaches, expect the Isles to make a move to bring in someone solid to replace him. Given the Islanders’ defensive emphasis, someone who can finish around the net in clutch situations would fill an immense hole.
The Bruins are a great value bet right now, artificially low in the odds list because of their games in hand. When it comes to the trade deadline, we’re hearing that Kyle Palmieri, P.K. Subban, Taylor Hall and Mattias Ekholm have all been rumored to be on the next bus out of Beantown, but it wouldn’t surprise us to see the B’s stand pat, as their team is playing well.
Pittsburgh could use depth, so as the team approaches the deadline look for the front office to add a worker bee or two, and a depth player on a wing or center. The Pens don’t have much in the way of salary cap room, so it will have to be a smart add to make a difference come the playoffs.
Before we consign Philadelphia to the dust heap, perhaps we should remember that the Flyers went 19-6-1 down the stretch so that they were just a point out of first in the East when COVID-19 put the NHL on pause? They could make a similar run here, but Hart has to start playing more consistently between the pipes.
The New York Rangers are getting a solid season out of Pavel Buchnevich, who leads the club in points (29). Of those 29 points, 22 have come at even strength, as Buchnevich is discovering ways to find space for himself at the game’s speedy pace.
New Jersey has 11 home games left on their schedule, but they have been dreadful at home. That’s definitely not a cause for optimism that they could somehow crack the top four. Instead, it’s time to start looking toward next year.
Buffalo can give Jack Eichel (neck) as much recovery time as he needs, because the Sabres won’t make the postseason, but if he could return and add some splash to the offense, Buffalo fans will have some cause for optimism while watching other teams skate for the Cup.
NHL Betting Odds
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