Steve Starr
- BetOnline‘s opening 2022 NHL Division Futures favor the two-time defending champion Lightning (+150) to win the Atlantic
- The Bruins (+300) lost team legends David Krejci and Tuukka Rask while the Maple Leafs (+300) waved goodbye to fan favorite Zach Hyman
- Florida (+525) is an excellent bet to win the division after adding Sam Reinhart to their exciting young core of forward talent
The NHL is returning to its traditional schedule and divisional alignment for the upcoming 2021-22 season, with the Metropolitan Division and Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference and the Central Division and Pacific Division in the Western Conference.
After a wild NHL Free Agency period, we’ll look at the odds to win each division, starting with the Atlantic where the back-to-back Stanley Cup betting champions in Tampa Bay are once again favored. Also, be sure to check out our NHL betting tips page with resources on NHL MVP betting and more.
2022 Atlantic Division Odds
 |
|
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +150 |
| Boston Bruins | +300 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +300 |
| Florida Panthers | +525 |
| Montreal Canadiens | +2500 |
| Ottawa Senators | +10000 |
| Buffalo Sabres | +12500 |
| Detroit Red Wings | +15000 |
Lightning lose key players
The Lightning (+150) lost Tyler Johnson, Yanni Gourde, Blake Coleman, Barclay Goodrow and David Savard this offseason, but the core of their Cup-winning roster remains in tact. With less depth, tired legs and nothing left to prove, Tampa Bay could go on cruise control during the NHL’s first 82-game regular season in three years, making the Bolts a risky bet.
Boston (+300) is similarly overvalued following the loss of second-line centre David Krejci. While young netminder Jeremy Swayman and free-agent acquisition Linus Ullmark could fill the void Tuukka Rask left behind in goal, the Bruins roster looks worse than the 2020 version after uninspired FA signings like 33-year-old Nick Foligno.
Did Don Sweeney Get Caught Off Guard with The Tuukka Rask and David Krejci Situation? https://t.co/jzl1Ef1uLv
— Dominic Tiano (@dominictiano) August 18, 2021
Toronto (+300) hasn’t won a playoff series since 2004, but they should continue to enjoy regular-season success in the Atlantic after spending last year in the all-Canadian North Division. While Maple Leafs fans were sad to see gritty winger Zach Hyman leave town, the team remains loaded up front with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander.
Panthers ready to pounce
With an impressive 37-14-5 record in the make-shift Central Division in 2020, the Panthers (+525) finished four points ahead of Tampa, six points ahead of Boston and two points ahead of the Leafs. And while their Atlantic Division foes were all bleeding talent this offseason, Florida brought more in, adding 25-year-old forward Sam Reinhart and 42-year-old journeyman Joe Thornton.
The team’s top defenseman Aaron Ekblad will be back healthy after fracturing his left leg last March, and 20-year-old goaltender Spencer Knight should takeover for the egregiously-overpaid Sergei Bobrovsky. At +525, Joel Quenneville’s Panthers are the best NHL futures bet you can make at the moment.
Bennett’s newfound confidence under Florida Panthers coach Joel Quenneville translates to the scoresheet in Florida as well.https://t.co/Xy0aGe5vlg
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) August 21, 2021
Getting absolutely no respect from oddsmakers after their Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Final, the Canadiens (+2500) will find it tough to return to the playoffs without captain Shea Weber, who could be dealing with a career-ending injury. Montreal added David Savard to replace Weber on the blue line and hope Mike Hoffman can provide some more scoring punch, but wagering on the Habs to win the Atlantic is not advisable, even with long odds.
Rounding out the division are the Senators (+10000), Sabres (+12500) and Red Wings (+15000) – teams in various stages of rebuilding. While Ottawa could be a sneaky bet to make the postseason if their young talent blossoms, capturing a division title is outside the realm of possibility for all these clubs.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
