Canadiens (+6200) & Sabres (+11300) See Odds to Win Atlantic Nose Dive

• The Montreal Canadiens are 7-13 in their last 20 games and have seen their division odds plummet
• Buffalo has gone 7-12-1 over its last 20 games, fading in the race for a playoff spot and division title
• Boston sits comfortably atop the Atlantic Division with a 10-point lead over the second-place Maple Leafs

Having finished one win shy of the Stanley Cup last season, the Boston Bruins began the 2019-20 season on a mission, and it has shown. The Bruins jumped out of the gate in a hurry, seizing early control of the Atlantic Division and have barely let up since.

Beneath the reigning Eastern Conference champions, however, teams have been falling off the pace. Recent slumps by both the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres have seen both slip in the Atlantic Division odds, with the Habs down to an average of +6200 and the Sabres faring even worse at +11300.

Odds to win 2020 Atlantic Division

Odds taken December 31

Montreal Miscues

After missing the playoffs by just a couple of wins last season, the Canadiens were hoping to build off that this term. But after a bright start to the season, which saw their division odds peak at an average of +620 on November 21, the Habs have fallen away.

The tumble started with an eight-game losing streak over the second half of November, a run which saw them pick up just three of a possible 16 points. And the team has been barely better than .500 since, going 7-5.

Most troubling for the team’s chances has been the play of Montreal’s highest-paid player, goaltender Carey Price, who has a .901 save percentage this season, way off his career .917 mark. At 32 years old, the former Hart Trophy winner has faced a heavy workload, starting 32 of the team’s 39 games so far this season. Unless Price returns to form and steals a few games, the Canadiens have little hope of getting back into the race for the division crown.

Baffled in Buffalo

Earlier in the year, the Sabres sat atop the NHL standings with an 8-1-1 record out of the gate. Unfortunately for both their division and playoff chances, Buffalo has picked up nine more wins in the 30 games that have followed.

Sabres need 54 points from their last 46 games (including the one they're leading at the minute) to have a better-than-not chance of making the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/kFAjWzbkCE

— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) December 21, 2019

A combination of injuries and lack of scoring depth – the team’s 117 goals so far put it in the bottom half of the league in that department – have really been an Achilles’ heel for the club.

After winning just one of their last seven games – a 3-2 victory over the Western Conference’s last-placed team, the Los Angeles Kings – the Sabres seem to show little aptitude for turning things around.

The Battle at the Top

While Montreal and Buffalo seemingly continue to slide from contention, things might get a little more interesting at the top if both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning can continue their recent resurgence.

And now three @MapleLeafs goals in just 59 seconds, folks.

59 seconds. 😳 pic.twitter.com/Li73Ivlwca

— NHL (@NHL) December 23, 2019

Under new head coach Sheldon Keefe, who replaced Mike Babcock back in November, the Leafs have gone 12-5 and have rediscovered their high-octane offense, led by the likes of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

Meanwhile the Lightning, last year’s Presidents’ Trophy winners with an NHL-record-tying 62 wins, have gone 6-3-1 in their last 10.  Though they currently sit 13 points back of the Bruins, they do have three games in hand and have the proven ability to force their way back into contention.

While Boston remains the cream of the Atlantic crop, both the Leafs (+900) and Lightning (+550) have enough talent to force their way back into the mix and should be considered if you’re looking for value.