For the first time in nearly 18 years, the NHL sports betting Stanley Cup Champion resides in the North Eastern part of the league. Last season, the Boston Bruins shocked many by putting it all together and winning Lord Stanley’s mug. Although they are the class of the North East division, one can’t count out the other four teams in the division, as everyone made huge improvements. Here is a look at the North East division bookie software betting odds.

The Boston Bruins enter the 2011-12 season as a +175 favorite to repeat as champion. Boston amidst letting Tomas Kaberle and Michael Ryder leave via free agency, return essentially the same lineup that helped end a nearly 40 year curse. Tim Thomas at 38 years old isn’t getting any younger, but the hopes of the team remain on his shoulders. If Thomas is unable to perform, look for Boston management to quickly go to backup goalie Tuuka Rask. Look for Thomas and Rask to split the games more evenly this year, before one is anointed the playoff goalie.

A team everyone and their uncle are expecting big things from this season, are the Buffalo Sabres. Entering the season as +500 favorite to win the Stanley Cup, the Sabres have added several premier talents that should help in all facets of their game. Similar to Boston, having a backup goalie in Jonas Enroth who can play 40 games if need be should go a long way in helping keep star goalie Ryan Miller healthy for a long playoff run. The addition of Christian Ehrhoff should also help a power play that struggled early and often last year.

The Montreal Canadians and Toronto Maple Leafs round out the division in terms of teams that can actually make the playoffs this season. The Canadians finally got bigger up front, as the addition of Erik Cole should help the skilled forwards. In Toronto, a healthy Tim Connolly should be just what the doctor ordered to help the Leafs stop a six year playoff drought. Toronto’s fishing game odds of +3000 are the best they have been in quite some time.