Leafs (+420) Closing Gap on Lightning (+340) in Eastern Conference Champion Odds

• One week into the season, the Leafs’ average odds to win the Eastern Conference improved from +510 to +420
• Toronto has been eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs in the last three seasons
• The Leafs haven’t won a postseason series since 2004

You can tell it’s October because the Leafs are falling everywhere except in the eyes of their fanbase.

The Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t won the Stanley Cup since 1967. They haven’t won a playoff series since 2004. Yet the start of the NHL season always causes optimism to blossom in the land of the Buds, and this year is no different.

One week into the season, the Leafs average odds to win the Eastern Conference title improved from +510 to +420.

2020 NHL Eastern Conference Championship Odds

*Odds taken on 10/08/19.

Eastern Conference Risers

Only the New York Rangers (+1900 to +1700) and Washington Capitals (+990 to +870) displayed more significant improvement in their conference title odds than Toronto.

A 2-0-1 launch to the season has inspired confidence in the betting public that the 2018 Stanley Cup champion Capitals are a team to once again be reckoned with. Washington is among six Eastern Conference teams to see their odds of winning the conference title and advancing to the 2020 Stanley Cup final show improvement.

The young Rangers have missed the playoffs two seasons in a row but a 2-0 start to their campaign is cause for optimism.

Mika Zibanejad is the second player in @NYRangers history to record eight points through the first two team games in a season, joining Rod Gilbert in 1976-77 (0-8—8). #NHLStats #NHLFaceOff pic.twitter.com/ulCaeXfdN8

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 6, 2019

They’ve been led by the spectacular performance of forward Mika Zibanejad, currently the NHL scoring leader with eight points in two games.

Eastern Conference Sinkers

The sun sets in the west, but for these NHL Eastern Conference clubs, bettors are quickly throwing shade in their direction.

The Carolina Hurricanes went to the Eastern Conference final last spring. They’ve broken from the gate 3-0. Yet, shockingly, Carolina’s average odds of winning the East have gotten worse (+1100 to +1400).

Friendly reminder that the Carolina Hurricanes are undefeated and are currently sitting at the top of the league. That is all. #LetsGoCanes

— Cardiac Cane (@CardiacCane) October 7, 2019

It could be that the recent trade of defenseman Justin Faulk to the St. Louis Blues, one year after high-scoring winger Jeff Skinner was shipped off to Buffalo, is being viewed as an indication that the small-market Hurricanes are more committed to staying under budget than they are to winning.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have already lost Evgeni Malkin and Nick Bjugstad to long-term injury. If anything, their odds to win the East figure to keep growing longer.

Seriously, what can't @antomantha8 (Anthony Mantha) do!?!? 🙌 #NHLFaceOff pic.twitter.com/faIIY0UmHm

— NHL (@NHL) October 7, 2019

The Detroit Red Wings are 2-0 and have five goals from Anthony Mantha. They also have eight of their nine goals from the top line of Mantha, Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi. Depth is going to be a huge issue in the 82-game regular season.

Don’t Let Leafs Fool You

Yes, Toronto is a young, exciting team with a high-powered offense. And true, Auston Matthews already has five goals and will be near the top of the Rocket Richard Trophy odds as long as he’s healthy.

They also blew a 4-1 third-period lead and lost 6-5 in OT to Montreal on Saturday. Facing the hard, heavy Blues, Toronto came out on the short end of a 3-2 game.

Auston "Russell Westbrook" Matthews pic.twitter.com/Fde99s5SzS

— Michael (@mic_mazz) October 4, 2019

Toronto is first in the NHL in five-on-five goals for (11) and 30th in five-on-five goals against (10). The Leafs still aren’t built to succeed in the playoffs.

Bet them now, and they’ll break your heart in April.