NHL East Division Predictions and Odds 2021

• The NHL has announced a realignment of their four divisions for the 2021 season that will allow the league to play their expected 56-game season amidst the rules and regulations put into place by all governing bodies regarding the COVID-19 pandemic
• The East division seems to be the most competitive division of the 2021 season, with all eight teams capable of earning a playoff spot at seasons-end
• There is a solid chance that not one, but both wildcard teams for the Eastern conference will stem from the East division

East Division 2021 Odds

Odds taken from DraftKings Sportsbook, updated on March 30, 2021.

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NHL East Division Predictions 2021

Joining the Central division in the Eastern Conference this season, sponsored by Mass Mutual, will be the East division. And let us say loud and clear right here, right now that this is by far the most difficult division to place bets on. This is the only division out of the four that, statistically, doesn’t seem to have clear-cut favorites to make the playoffs. This division screams wildcard potential each of the eight teams could find themselves capable of earning a spot in the postseason.

The Boston Bruins seem to be the only lock for the playoffs. They boast incredible offense with stars like David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and Jake DeBrusk, although they may start the season without Pastrnak or Marchand. They also have, arguably, the best goaltending tandem in the league with Tuuka Rask and Jaroslav Halak, who combined to have the most shutouts last season as well as the best collective save percentage in the league.

Beyond Boston, it’s anyone’s guess.

The division boasts the 2018 Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals who have stars such as Alexander Ovechkin and John Carlson.

There are the Pittsburgh Penguins, who won back-to-back Cups in 2016 and 2017 and have superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Then there’s the Philadelphia Flyers who came on strong at the end of last season, defeating making it to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs before being knocked out by the New York Islanders in seven games.

The Islanders made the conference finals last season and the New York Rangers are such a big dark horse that many may not even consider them a dark horse but more as an actual contender. And the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres can do this. A Stanley Cup is unlikely but a playoff spot wouldn’t necessarily be an upset. The slight edge here to the Buffalo Sabres.

We wouldn’t be surprised if both Eastern Conference wildcard spots are filled with East division contenders.

For more division predictions have a look at:

• NHL West Division Predictions and Odds 2021
• NHL North Division Predictions and Odds 2021
• NHL Central Division Predictions and Odds 2021