A breakdown of the Eastern Conference in the NHL: A season overview and current progress.

With a few weeks of the NHL season now in the books, teams have settled into their routines, setting the stage for an evaluation of their potential this year. We'll explore the Eastern Conference first, with a focus on the West later.

Last season, the East was hailed as the NHL's powerhouse, bolstered by high points during regular play. Despite that, the West ultimately triumphed thanks to the Vegas Golden Knights. Many of our partners betting sites have already set their odds for the NHL, so be sure to check them out for your Stanley Cup wagers.

The Presidents’ Trophy winners shattered NHL records with a 135-point season. Linus Ullmark took home the Vezina Trophy as the top goalie, yet the playoffs saw them bested by the Florida Panthers, coupled with setbacks from losing captain Patrice Bergeron to retirement and other teammates.

Against expectations, they launched this season on a high note. While they've faced relatively weaker teams, their status as an Eastern powerhouse remains intact, suggesting the path to the Stanley Cup may go through TD Garden.

Leading the Metropolitan Division with 113 points last season was a remarkable feat for a team without a standout points leader over 71. Yet, their defense wasn't enough to avoid a sweep by the Panthers in the Eastern Finals. They're showing early promises in offense but allowing more goals than expected.

Dmitry Orlov's transition from the Bruins hasn’t been smooth, highlighted by a challenging performance against the Ducks, clocking in at -5 in just 15:25 of ice time. Having spent a decade with the Capitals, he’s struggling to adapt elsewhere. The defensive lineup needs to elevate to last season’s standards.

Despite lacking experience, the Devils compensate with sheer talent. Setting a new team record for points last season, they’re off to a strong start again. Jack Hughes is thriving, but their defensive lapses are noticeable behind the offensive fireworks.

Both Vitek Vanecek and Amira Schmid have yet to find their form in goal, which is critical since keeping up with Hughes’ pace may prove difficult. They must strike a balance, but youth is on their side to make quick adjustments.

The elusive Stanley Cup is still out of reach, yet a series win over Tampa Bay Lightning lifted a major burden. Ilya Samsonov’s underwhelming start has paved the way for Joseph Woll to shine.

Auston Matthews began powerfully with consecutive hat-tricks, though his momentum has slowed. They've got the depth for a serious run, but a nagging barrier, whether mental or physical, seems to hinder their championship aspirations.

As the Rangers kick off the season in full stride, they tackled their season’s longest road trip with aplomb, victoriously outscoring opponents 17-7 over five games. This success should boost confidence moving forward.

Their powerplay has been formidable, with Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin leading the scoring. Igor Shesterkin's slower start is countered by Jonathan Quick’s solid backup performance, positioning the Rangers as a serious contender.

Following three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearances, their latest campaign began steadily despite Andrei Vasilevskiy’s absence for much of the season’s first half. Maintaining a .500 record will suffice until the stalwart goaltender returns post-surgery.

Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov strike fear with their offensive prowess, yet the team's core is aging fast and must strike now. Although rivals seem stronger, they remain a playoff fixture, reaffirming their recent dominance.

They’ve consistently hovered in the playoffs but never materialized as true Stanley Cup threats. However, boasting Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov in goal gives them a distinct advantage amidst offensive struggles.

Mathew Barzal is yet to hit his stride, but Bo Horvat is appearing more comfortable with the Isles after a rocky start post-trade from Vancouver Canucks. Playoffs seem likely, though they're far from reaching the NHL pinnacle.

Though they were the previous season’s Presidents’ Trophy winners and just clinched a playoff spot, they advanced to the Eastern Conference’s very last team, eventually succumbing to the Vegas Golden Knights in the finals.

Sam Reinhart is on track for another 30-goal season, and Evan Rodrigues has been a solid acquisition, improving since his Buffalo days. The depth of their talent could propel them for another impactful campaign.

Missing the playoffs by a mere point last season, they’re highly motivated to secure a spot this time around. The challenge on defense, outscoring opponents, was apparent.

Improvements in defense are visible, but offensive efficiency needs attention. Tage Thompson had a breakout 94-point season but is starting slower this year. For a playoff return since 2011, the Sabres need their star to rediscover his form.

Last season marked their first playoff absence since 2005-06. Reilly Smith arrives from the Stanley Cup-winning Golden Knights, settling well alongside Evgeni Malkin. However, this aging team risks a full rebuild.

Another playoff exclusion looms unless stars can shoulder the team. Sidney Crosby continues adding accolades, but his efforts aren’t enough with uninspired 3rd and 4th lines.

Last season’s additions of Claude Giroux and Alex DeBrincat underwhelmed. With DeBrincat now in Detroit, the Senators hope Vladimir Tarasenko will spark a playoff push.

Young talents like Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle provide future hope, alongside Jakob Chychrun's positive late-season acquisition impact. However, goalie issues loom, risking another playoff miss without resolution.

Starting strong this season, they're captivating neutral fans. Offensively thriving, Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Larkin’s top-line chemistry is delightful as DeBrincat finds his footing in his ‘home’ team.

Defensive struggles have led to high-scoring games, making them exciting to watch. With promising Moritz Seider and Lucus Raymond just 21 and 22 years old, a playoff return seems plausible.

Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s goal record continues as the Caps face scoring difficulties, heightening pressure on their captain.

Last season's sub-.500 finish mirrored an aging roster similar to the Penguins, coasting on past triumphs. Spencer Carbery, the NHL’s youngest head coach, promises long-term success, yet playoff chances remain dim.

It’s the second round for John Tortorella, known for sparking mixed opinions. After guiding the Columbus Blue Jackets to four straight playoffs, Flyers fans aspire for similar success.

Carter Hart's excellent start in goal this season revives hope. The 25-year-old needed a reprisal of his rookie form, and rookies like Bobby Brink are becoming NHL-ready, promising a respectable Flyers season.

A tough Atlantic Division season left them at the bottom last year, worsened by 751 man-game injuries, the league’s highest. A promising start sees Jake Allen thriving in goal, benefitting Canadiens provided he stays confident.

With Nick Suzuki and Cole Caulfield more seasoned but with future potential, optimism grows in Montreal. Martin St. Louis’s influence, particularly on the smaller but dynamic Caulfield, could make this team more competitive.

They placed last in the East last season, only edging out the league-worst Anaheim Ducks for points. The 2023 lineup appears incomplete on both ends, foreshadowing a challenging season for Columbus fans.

Johnny Gaudreau's first year with the team wasn't great, and it looks like his second could be even rougher. Meanwhile, Patrick Laine's been having a hard time staying in the action since he joined in early 2020-21. Columbus is in a chaotic state, but there's a sliver of hope with young talents like Adam Fantilli, who's shown potential in his limited appearances so far.

The Eastern conference is shaping up to be an exhilarating contest again. The Bruins remain the leading team despite some roster changes, while last season's main contenders are on the prowl once more. For the Devils and Hurricanes to have a serious shot, they need to fortify their defense, although Jack Hughes might just have the capability to single-handedly steer the Devils towards the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Plenty of people are buzzing about the Red Wings as a dark horse, but don't overlook the Canadiens, who've had a commendable start to the season. Should injuries be on their side for once, they could find themselves surprisingly in the mix at enticing odds.