The Boston Bruins ran away with the Atlantic Division in 2022-23, compiling 65 wins and 135 points, both NHL regular-season records.
However, the pendulum has swung in hockey’s most competitive division heading into October, offering prospective bettors plenty of intriguing options.
Let’s examine the latest Atlantic Division odds and make our best bet wager and sleeper pick heading into 2023-24.
Atlantic Division Winner Odds 2023-24
NHL odds used for these best bets are from Monday, July 24, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Toronto Maple Leafs (+215)
- Boston Bruins (+330)
- Florida Panthers (+400)
- Tampa Bay Lightning (+600)
- Buffalo Sabres (+900)
- Ottawa Senators (+1100)
- Detroit Red Wings (+2500)
- Montreal Canadiens (+20000)
As we enter the dog days of the NHL offseason, at least for the time being, the Toronto Maple Leafs (+215) hold the single-shortest odds to win the Atlantic.
The Leafs are followed closely by last year’s winners, the Bruins (+330), the Florida Panthers (+400), and the Tampa Bay Lightning (+600), each of whom are excellent value selections.
Further down the board are three teams on the rise in the vastly improved Buffalo Sabres (+900), Ottawa Senators (+1100), and Detroit Red Wings (+2500). The rebuilding Montreal Canadiens conclude our list at (+20000).
Atlantic Division Winner Best Bet
Toronto Maple Leafs (+215)
After 19 seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs finally won a playoff series. Two weeks later, they were ousted in five games by the Panthers, spelling significant changes both on and off the ice.
After eight seasons with the organization, including the last five as general manager, Kyle Dubas departed to Pittsburgh and was quickly replaced by Brad Treliving.
The Leafs also saw major shake-ups on the ice with the departures of Ryan O’Reilly, Michael Bunting, Justin Holl, Luke Schenn, and Noel Acciari, among others.
Their replacements? Max Domi, John Klingberg, Ryan Reaves, and Tyler Bertuzzi, each brought in to change the grit of a team that continues to underachieve in the postseason.
- See where Toronto sits in our NHL Eastern Conference betting odds.
Last season saw the Maple Leafs rank among the league’s top teams in a variety of offensive and defensive metrics. Toronto ranked fifth in xGoals% (54.12), fifth in Goals-Against/60 (2.15), and sixth in High Danger Shots For (196), per MoneyPuck.
These elite advanced statistics will only be boosted with the additions of Domi and Bertuzzi, rounding out their forward core.
I anticipate the Maple Leafs having yet another stellar regular season in 2023-24 en route to the Atlantic Division crown.
Atlantic Division Winner Sleeper Pick
Buffalo Sabres (+900)
After playing competitive hockey until the final week of the 2022-23 regular season, the Sabres are an excellent sleeper selection to win the Atlantic.
Led by Tage Thompson’s 94-point campaign and the resurgent Jeff Skinner, Buffalo notched its highest point total (91) in over a decade.
However, the Sabres massively struggled in their own end, ranking 27th in Goals Against Above Expected and 28th in both Shots on Goal Against and Save% on Shots on Goal.
As a result, Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams added Connor Clifton and veteran Stanley Cup-winner Erik Johnson to the Sabres’ defensive core to further complement the likes of Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Mattias Samuelsson.
After years of mediocrity and instability on and off the ice, this Sabres team is finally ready to compete for a playoff berth. At 9-1 odds, they’re an excellent selection to surprise some people and take the top spot in the Atlantic.