Bruins (+460) Close in on Lightning (+420) in Eastern Conference Title Odds; Leafs Drop to +580

• The Presidents’ Trophy-winning Lightning sit tenth in the East at 5-4-2
• Tampa’s average odds to win the Eastern Conference have increased to +420
• Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins (9-1-2) have improved from +500 to +460

Last season, the Tampa Bay Lightning posted an NHL-record-tying 62 wins. But when the Stanley Cup final was played, they were long gone. It was the Boston Bruins who represented the Eastern Conference.

If the playoffs started today, the betting favorite to win the East wouldn’t even qualify for postseason play.

The Lightning are still the chalk in the East, despite a pedestrian 5-4-2 start to the NHL season. But their lead is dwindling.

Across the leading sportsbooks, Tampa Bay averages out at +420 in the Eastern Conference title odds. The Lightning were as short as +340 earlier this month.

2019-20 NHL Eastern Conference Odds

Odds taken on October 30, 2019.

Meanwhile, the Bruins are charging. The odds on Boston to win the East now average out at +460. That’s down from a season-long of +550.

Some sportsbooks actually list the Bruins (+375) as Eastern Conference favorites, ahead of the Lightning (+400).

Lightning Striking Out

A 4-1 setback to the New York Rangers on Monday night left the Lightning 10th overall in the East. It was Tampa Bay’s second straight loss and third in four games.

It was also the third time in four games that the Lightning were held to two goals or fewer. Last season, they led the NHL with 325 goals, averaging 3.96 goals per game.

Tampa Bay lost seven home games all of last season. This season, they’ve already suffered three home defeats.

In 2018-19, the Bolts posted a league-leading +103 goal differential. This season, they are a -1.

Bruin Up Success

A 5-1 drubbing of the San Jose Sharks on Monday was Boston’s fourth successive victory. The Bruins have points in eight straight games (6-0-2). Significantly, a Boston team persistently hampered by secondary scoring in recent seasons got goals from five different players.

At 9-1-2, the Bruins are one point behind Washington for the East lead, but they’ve played two fewer games. David Pastrnak tops the NHL with 12 goals and is challenging for both the Rocket Richard and Art Ross Trophies.

Leafs Keep Falling

The same problems that have plagued the Toronto Maple Leafs these past few seasons continue to haunt them. They’re too easy to play against and they can’t keep the puck out of their net.

Monday morning, Washington captain Alex Ovechkin called out the Leafs for stubbornly refusing to change their ways, even though they haven’t won a playoff series since 2004. Then the Leafs gave up four and lost to the Capitals.

It was the seventh time this season Toronto has surrendered four or more goals in a game.

Don’t Sleep On Caps

It might be too early to push the panic button about Tampa Bay.  In 1995-96, the Detroit Red Wings were the first team to win 62 games in a season. They also failed to win the Cup.

Dance. #Game7 #ALLCAPS // #STAYINTHEFIGHT pic.twitter.com/te5UTtEwYT

— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 30, 2019

Detroit came back the following season, started slowly (5-4-1) and won just 38 games. But that spring, the Wings captured the Stanley Cup.

Speaking of the Stanley Cup, don’t look past the Capitals, less than two years removed from a title. All of the key components are still in place and defenseman John Carlson is performing like a Norris Trophy-winner.

Pick: Washington Capitals (+850)