2009 NHL Eastern Conference Preview

When betting on the NHL and who is going to win the Eastern Conference this season, now is the time to check out the NHL future odds and bet on the team you want to go all the way to the Stanley Cup.

Out in the NHL Eastern Conference, the favorite is the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins listed at +500 to take the Stanley Cup. With Sid the Kid and Evgeni Malkin on the same team, it is hard to bet against the Penguins.

Two teams that could challenge Pittsburgh are the Washington Capitals (+800) and Boston Bruins (+900). When betting on the NHL, and looking for a team to that could possibly slide into the top group, check out the New Jersey Devils (+1500) and Philadelphia Flyers (+1400).

If your NHL betting strategy involves getting a big payoff, then look no further than the Atlanta Thrashers and New York Islanders. Atlanta comes in at +10000 and the Islanders are at +15000 to win the Cup.

Here are some of the big questions surrounding the 2009-2010 Eastern Conference.. Will the Pens extend their postseason magic into the regular season? How about the Philadelphia Flyers? Can defenseman Chris Pronger and goalie Ray Emery push them over the top?

Here’s a look at the 15 teams that make up the NHL Eastern Conference:

2009 NHL Atlantic Season Previews

2009 New Jersey Devils Season Preview

The New Jersey Devils’ success this year will rest on G Martin Brodeur, who is not getting younger, and whether some of the youngsters (Travis Zajac and Nicklas Bergfors) can help out Parise and Patrik Elias on the offensive side of the puck.

New Jersey Devils 2009 Season Preview – New Jersey Devils 2009 Season Schedule

2009 New York Islanders Season Preview

At the end of this season, it will mark thirty years since the New York Islanders began their dynasty with the first of four straight Stanley Cups. That’s about as safe a prediction as we can make about this years team.

New York Islanders 2009 Season Preview – New York Islanders 2009 Season Schedule

2009 New York Rangers Season Preview

It will be tough for the New York Rangers to top the strong Atlantic Division, but another playoff berth is possible in ’09. Lundqvist gives them a chance to win every night and if Gaborik can stay healthy, the offense should improve.

New York Rangers 2009 Season Preview – New York Rangers 2009 Season Schedule

2009 Philadelphia Flyers Season Preview

The Philadelphia Flyers will be one of the NHL’s toughest teams this season and they will be a team that can beat teams in more ways than one. With newly-acquired Norris Trophy winner Chris Pronger anchoring the defense, we expect the Philadelphia Flyers to battle the Pittsburgh Penguins for top of the Atlantic Division.

Philadelphia Flyers 2009 Season Preview – Philadelphia Flyers 2009 Season Schedule

2009 Pittsburgh Penguins Season Preview

With 3 consecutive trips to Stanley Cup finals it might be a too much to ask for most teams, but with superstars Sidney Crosby and Malkin leading the way it is hard to count out Pittsburgh from doing it again this season.

Pittsburgh Penguins 2009 Season Preview – Pittsburgh Penguins 2009 Season Schedule

2009 NHL Northeast Season Previews

2009 Boston Bruins Season Preview

The Boston Bruins are not going anywhere this season. Count them in as the Northeast Champions again in ’09-’10 as long as the they stay health. Blake Wheeler, Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci are all young and improving, which is very scary for the rest of the league.

Boston Bruins 2009 Season Preview – Boston Bruins 2009 Season Schedule

2009 Buffalo Sabres Season Preview

The low budget conscious Buffalo Sabres work harder then most teams every night, and every season, a few more veterans depart. But this business model can only get you so far, which is what this franchise has discovered since letting Daniel Briere, Brian Campbell and Chris Drury slip away. They are on the playoff bubble again this season.

Buffalo Sabres 2009 Season Previews – Buffalo Sabres 2009 Season Schedule

2009 Montreal Canadiens Season Preview

The new Canadiens Moen and Gill add some much needed size, but outside of that combo and seldom used enforcer Georges Laraque, the Canadiens are very small. Montreal GM Bob Gainey must be under the philosophy that speed will be the determining winning factor and not size. If that opening series collapse against the Bruins last spring is accurate, Bob Gainey the roy is wrong.

Montreal Canadiens 2009 Season Preview – Montreal Canadiens 2009 Season Schedule

2009 Ottawa Senators Season Preview

Ottawa Coach Cory Clouston had the Senators playing well and winning down the stretch last season, but all that was accomplished when the pressure of making the playoffs was off. Can they carry that into ’09? We predict the winter months don not look like they will be much better.

Ottawa Senators 2009 Season Preview – Ottawa Senators 2009 Season Schedule

2009 Toronto Maple Leafs Season Preview

Fights on the Ice? You bet. Scoring in the box score? Not so much. The Toronto Maple Leafs are better and tougher behind their own blue-line but the lack of offence production could mean another year out of the playoffs. Phil Kessel will help our once he returns, but he will not have Marc Savard feeding him the puck in Toronto.

Toronto Maple Leafs 2009 Season Preview – Toronto Maple Leafs 2009 Season Schedule

2009 NHL Southeast Season Previews

2009 Atlanta Thrashers Season Preview

The Atlanta Thrashers are improving, but not playoff bound. Ilya Kovalchuk is in his last year of his contract, which means his name will be brought up as the trade deadline nears. The Thrasher defense and goal tending is still a sore subject for Atlanta leaving them out of the playoffs.

Atlanta Thrashers 2009 Season Preview – Atlanta Thrashers 2009 Season Schedule

2009 Carolina Hurricanes Season Preview

The Carolina Hurricanes have a bright future, but most likely will not challenge the Capitals for the top spot in the Southeast. Under Maurice’s coaching Carolina has a deep and gritty team with a solid goalie. They are built for the playoffs.

Carolina Hurricanes 2009 Season Preview – Carolina Hurricanes 2009 Season Schedule

2009 Florida Panthers Season Preview

The Florida Panthers, like young players Booth, Stephen Weiss and Keith Ballard, are improving. But we do not think the Panthers will have enough to end a streak of eight consecutive seasons without reaching the playoffs.

Florida Panthers 2009 Season Preview – Florida Panthers 2009 Season Schedule

2009 Tampa Bay Lightning Season Preview

The Tampa Bay defense has been beefed up, with the additions of Ohlund, Hedman and veteran free agents Kurtis Foster and Matt Walker. But with ownership infighting hurting the teams progress, it is hard to believe that Tampa Bay has much of a chance making the playoffs. Count on Lightning being struck down again.

Tampa Bay Lightning 2009 Season Preview – Tampa Bay Lightning 2009 Season Schedule

2009 Washington Capitals Season Preview

The Washington Capitals have a legitimate chance of representing the East in the Stanley Cup. They learned from last years’s playoffs and should be better this time around with that experience. We think the Capitals on brink of greatness.