2013-14 NHL Betting Preview: Bruins Favoured To Win Atlantic Division

Thanks to realignment, there is no shortage of rivalries in the Atlantic Division. Here’s a quick look at each team in the division and what you should expect this season.

Previews courtesy of Sports Interaction. Division odds current as of Sept. 27.

Boston Bruins (+206)
The Bruins shook up the culture of their team by shipping Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverley to the Dallas Stars for Loui Eriksson and added Jarome Iginla from free agency. Those moves should give the B’s more consistent scoring, not to mention more veteran leadership. The back end looks great with the emergence of Torey Krug and Dougie Hamilton in front of Tuukka Rask. This club was banged up and ran out of gas in the Cup final, but they’ll be back in the playoffs and might nab the first spot in the division.

Buffalo Sabres (+2600)
It could get really ugly in Buffalo this year. Goaltender Ryan Miller has already sold his house in Buffalo and appears to be on the way out. When you’re counting on question marks like Ville Leino, Cody Hodgson, Tyler Ennis, Drew Stafford and Tyler Myers to carry the load, the outlook isn’t good.

Detroit Red Wings (+338)
The Red Wings reloaded with some veteran talent by snatching up Daniel Alfredsson and Stephen Weiss, which only adds to a very deep group of forwards to begin with. The defence returns the same group and that should help goaltender Jimmy Howard. Barring serious injuries, the Wings will be battling it out for the No. 1 spot.

Florida Panthers  (+5200)
The Panthers head into this year with an extremely young roster and will take their lumps in this division. The good news is they’ll play an up-tempo style and should give the scoreboard a workout. Look to play the over in Panthers games, but don’t expect them to contend for at least a couple years.

Montreal Canadiens (+462)
The Canadiens didn’t get much bigger in the offseason, but they’ll be a very quick team on the forecheck. Bringing in George Parros will allow Brandon Prust stay on the ice more and Danny Briere is a big addition for the power play. The Canadiens won’t start as fast as they did last year and will be in a dogfight for the third and final playoff spot or possibly a wild card spot.

Ottawa Senators (+513)
Ottawa is about to make some noise after last season’s injury riddled squad qualified for the playoffs. Losing Alfredsson hurts, but Jason Spezza is ready to lead this team and should mesh well with Bobby Ryan. Plus, if Erik Karlsson is healthy, he might be this year’s Norris Trophy winner.

Tampa Bay Lightning (+800)
If the Lightning ever figure out their defence, they will be a team to look out for. Until then, they’re a great over bet with Steven Stamkos, Marty St. Louis, Teddy Purcell and rookie Jonathan Drouin filling the net. Watch to see if Ben Bishop or Anders Lindback steps up and owns the crease. If that happens they could have some value as underdogs early on.

Toronto Maple Leafs (+378)
The Leafs will learn from their Game 7 collapse against the Bruins and will be better for it. The David Clarkson signing gives this team even more character and depth on the front end, while Dion Phaneuf is playing in a contract year from the blue line.