Former Notre Dame captain Anders Lee scored early in the second period of Wednesday’s Islanders vs. Capitals playoff game. See it here.
The New York Islanders and Washington Capitals began their best of seven series in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday night with the Caps taking a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
Early in the second period it was former Notre Dame captain and Islanders Anders Lee tying the game at two for the sixth seeded Islanders.
Analyzing the NHL futures odds for the 2019-20 Eastern Conference Winner, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.
We have looked at the NHL future odds to be 2019-20 Stanley Cup champions, but who are the contenders to make it to the Stanley Cup Final as Eastern Conference winners? We assess the midseason NHL future odds and make our best bets to be the 2019-20 Eastern Conference champion.
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Monday at 11:20 p.m. ET.
2019-20 Eastern Conference favorites
Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Patric Hornqvist (72) celebrates a goal. (Photo Credit: Brad Mills – USA TODAY Sports)
Pittsburgh Penguins (+550)
The Penguins are +1100 to lift the Stanley Cup in mid-June and have exactly half those adds to win the Prince of Wales Trophy as Eastern Conference champs. Through 52 games, they’re second in the Metropolitan Division and just four points back of the Washington Capitals (+450) with a game in hand.
They’ve overcome injuries to C Sidney Crosby and RW Patric Hornqvist, and while LW Jake Guentzel is sidelined for the remainder of the season, they’re plenty deep enough. Four other players have at least 30 points on the season and Crosby isn’t even included in that group (29 points in 24 games). Backup G Tristan Jarry has emerged from nowhere to form one of the league’s top goaltending tandems alongside two-time Cup-winner Matt Murray. The Pens are well equipped for injuries, giving them an edge over the other top favorites.
Toronto Maple Leafs (+900)
With two teams from each of the Atlantic and Metropolitan divisions having odds of +550 or lower to win the conference, the Leafs are an adequate value as they are battling Florida for the Atlantic’s third seed. Backup G Michael Hutchinson has improved as the season has gone on and is finally able to reliably spell starter Frederik Andersen and give him some much need rest down the stretch run.
Toronto has four players with at least 40 points on the season. D Tyson Barrie has added 30 points, while RW Kasperi Kapanen (10) and C Zach Hyman (14) are among the six players on the team with at least 10 goals. Sending Andersen into the postseason with enough rest has been an issue for the Leafs the last few seasons. If they’re able to address that this time, either with Hutchinson or a trade-deadline acquisition, the Maple Leafs could rely on an offense able to challenge anyone in the conference.
Place a sports bet on the 2019-20 Eastern Conference winner or other NHL games at BetMGM.
2019-20 Eastern Conference longshot
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart could be one of the more rested goalies in the league come playoffs. (Photo Credit: Perry Nelson – USA TODAY Sports)
Philadelphia Flyers (+1800)
At +3500 to win the Stanley Cup, the Flyers are getting better than half those odds at +1800 to emerge from the Eastern Conference. The midseason injury to Carter Hart could prove beneficial in the long run as he’ll head into the home stretch rested, while backups Brian Elliott and Alex Lyon have kept the team in contention in the Metro Division.
Note: Not all teams included as picks to win the Stanley Cup are mentioned here. The odds need to be taken into consideration and we’re looking only for the best values. The Tampa Bay Lightning are a better pick to win it all at +800 than they are to win the Eastern Conference at +400.
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The Rams-Saints, the World Series, Stanley Cup playoffs and NBA all saw plenty of controversy in 2019.
Plenty of controversy in sports in 2019. Unfortunately for officials, they were under the spotlight numerous times for calls that were not made or were considered highly questionable. It’s a tough job but some folks have to do it.
The non-PI call that changed football
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Officials are best off not seen and not heard. The calendar year 2019 opened with a play that resounds now and likely forever. With 1:49 left in the fourth quarter and the Saints at the Ramsâ 13-yard line in the NFC Championship Game, Drew Brees threw a pass in Tommylee Lewisâ direction down the right sideline. Nickell Robey-Coleman came over and clobbered Lewis before the ball got there, clearly interfering with him. No flag. It was one of a few calls Bill Vinovich’s crew missed in the game …
