Hunter Skoczylas of DraftKings breaks down and offers betting insight on all eight of the NHL's Eastern Conference teams in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs start Monday, and the race for the Stanley Cup will be intense with plenty of deep, talented teams poised to claim the championship.
But which Eastern Conference team has what it takes to become the next Stanley Cup champion?
DraftKings: Eastern Conference Stanley Cup odds
A look at all 8 teams' chances of winning it all
© Steve Babineau/Getty Images
By
Hunter Skoczylas / Special to NHL.com
RELATED:
DraftKings: Western Conference Stanley Cup odds
The Boston Bruins were by far the most dominant team in the NHL this season, but can they finish the job? Do the young, up-and-coming New Jersey Devils have enough experience to make it to the end?
Read below for a breakdown of every Eastern Conference playoff team's potential success this postseason, including an "X-Factor" for each team that could be the reason they're hoisting the Stanley Cup by the end.
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EASTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW
Boston Bruins (Odds: +350)
Note: If you're new to betting, the Bruins' +350 odds mean a $100 bet would profit $350 for a total payout of $450 if they win the Stanley Cup.
The Bruins put together a truly historic season -- being the fastest team to reach 50 wins and the first to reach 63 in a single season. Boston is the best defensive and second-best offensive team in the League. Combine that with elite goaltending and you're looking at the 2023 Stanley Cup champions. But, of course, the last Presidents' Trophy winning team to capture to Cup was the Chicago Blackhawks in 2012-13, so nothing is guaranteed.
X-Factor: Goaltending
Carolina Hurricanes (+1100)
Note: If you're new to betting, the Hurricanes' +1100 odds mean a $100 bet would profit $1,100 for a total payout of $1,200 if they win the Stanley Cup.
The Hurricanes won the Metropolitan Division and finished with the second most points in the NHL (113) thanks to their young and talented core that is fast, deep and smart with the puck -- resulting in a balanced offense and defensive attack. The Hurricanes goalies have been impressive, allowing the second-fewest goals per game this season. Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta could very easily steal a few of those tightly contested games, but Carolina's path to the Stanley Cup Final features some high-scoring offenses.
X-Factor: Depth
New Jersey Devils (+1200)
Note: If you're new to betting, the Devils' +1200 odds mean a $100 bet would profit $1,200 for a total payout of $1,300 if they win the Stanley Cup.
Despite being one of the youngest teams in the NHL, the Devils finished second in the Metropolitan Division and acquired forward Timo Meier before the NHL Trade Deadline, further boosting their depth. Forward Jack Hughes and the rest of New Jersey's young players will be huge factors throughout the postseason, but the lack of experience could end up hindering a deep run. Devils coach Lindy Ruff has plenty of playoff experience and, although he hasn't won the Cup, his team has the untapped potential to do it.
X-Factor: Coaching and youth
Toronto Maple Leafs (+900)
Note: If you're new to betting, the Maple Leafs' +900 odds mean a $100 bet would profit $900 for a total payout of $1,000 if they win the Stanley Cup.
We all know how it goes with the Maple Leafs in the first round of the playoffs, but they will be forever dangerous as long as forwards Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner are commanding the offensive attack. Toronto posted the sixth-best goal differential and had four skaters score at least 30 goals this season -- something it'll need to carry over into the postseason. The defense and goaltending have been dependable, but it comes down to whether the Maple Leafs can last a full seven-game series against tough opponents like the Lightning.
X-Factor: Offensive attack
New York Rangers (+1200)
Note: If you're new to betting, the Rangers' +1200 odds mean a $100 bet would profit $1,200 for a total payout of $1,300 if they win the Stanley Cup.
The Rangers excel in all areas of the game and were aggressive enough before the trade deadline to acquire forwards Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko, who each have the playoff experience to help boost the morale in the locker room to advance all the way. There have been some consistency issues, especially putting games away, but let's not forget how well goalie Igor Shesterkin played last postseason. If he plays similarly and the Rangers take full advantage of their offensive attack, they will be a tough team to top this postseason.
X-Factor: Playoff Kane and goaltending
Tampa Bay Lightning (+1400)
Note: If you're new to betting, the Lightning's +1400 odds mean a $100 bet would profit $1,400 for a total payout of $1,500 if they win the Stanley Cup.
The Lightning have appeared in the Stanley Cup Final in each of the past three seasons and nearly completed the three-peat before falling to the Colorado Avalanche last season. Still, Tampa Bay finished third in the Atlantic Division this season, and there's no denying they have a ton of talent that has performed above average at all levels of the ice. The Lightning are built for playoff hockey and will have one of the best goaltenders in the NHL in Andrei Vasilevskiy standing tall in net every night. Don't sleep on them quite yet, even after their struggles toward the end of the regular season.
X-Factor: Experience
Florida Panthers (+3500)
Note: If you're new to betting, the Panthers' +3500 odds mean a $100 bet would profit $3,500 for a total payout of $3,600 if they win the Stanley Cup.
The Panthers have taken a step back in terms of success compared to recent years but still finished in fourth place in the Atlantic Division, six points behind the Lightning. The Panthers finished the season very strong, winning six of their final eight games - primarily because of forward Matthew Tkachuk, who finished with 12 points (five goals, seven assists) during that span. Tkachuk will need to be extra active in the offensive zone, especially if Florida's goaltending continues to be subpar (3.32 goals allowed per game; 12th most in NHL).
X-Factor: Matthew Tkachuk
New York Islanders (+5000)
Note: If you're new to betting, the Islanders' +5000 odds mean a $100 bet would profit $5,000 for a total payout of $5,100 if they win the Stanley Cup.
The Islanders could end up being a great playoff story, but it doesn't help that they're the seventh seed and will face the Hurricanes in the first round. The Islanders finished fourth in the Metropolitan Division, an effort led by Ilya Sorokin - one of the NHL's most impressive goalies this season. The Islanders allowed the fifth-most high-danger chances but also fifth-fewest goals this season, so Sorokin's level of play will have a direct effect on their postseason success. Sorokin also has the most shutouts (16) in the NHL since entering the League in 2020-21.
X-Factor: Goaltending
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