We are six weeks into the NHL season and we have some movement for who may win their respective conferences, on top. Teams such as Tampa Bay and St. Louis have left their mark and have put the league on notice with their stellar play. I’ll be providing my upgrades on where teams stand and share my input on teams’ chances to make the Stanley Cup final. Like I’ve been talking about the Tampa Bay Lightning for six weeks it looks. The Bolts have been hands-down the best team in the league, with Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov lighting up the league at the top two point scorers. Opening at +750 in Bovada, the Lightning could be needed for +333 and a lot can go wrong from today before the Stanley Cup final, nobody should hate on you for falling any loot on Tampa.
Pittsburgh opened as the East favorite at +375 and though they have been up-and-down to start the season (now fifth in the East), Sid the Kid and his crew know when to turn it on and could easily go on a course to get their third straight Stanley Cup. The Penguins can be had for +550 and the cause of bettors to pause continues to be their defense this year. Pittsburgh is enabling 3.6 goals per game and is the sole possible playoff team with a negative goal differential at a whopping -17. Yikes!
If you’re searching for an adversary (with value) to dethrone Pittsburgh, look no farther than the Big Apple. The Rangers opened the season at +2300 and bettors that got them at these chances must be salivating in their prospects of a payout. The Rangers have won six in a row (8-2 SU at the last 10) after an abysmal October and are currently valued at +1400.
The actual shocker is New Jersey. Opening at +4500, the Devils have made the largest leap — after being ranked dead last to win the East — to +1400. Devils rookies Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt and Will Butcher have been outstanding to start the season and have pushed the Devils into second in the East. Martin Brodeur is not walking through the door but they could make some noise come playoff time.

Read more here: http://www.kaoliao.ac.th/2019/10/19/pac-12-defensive-power-rankings-2/