The Boston Bruins came within two games of winning last year’s Stanley Cup title after holding a 2-1 lead over the eventual winners and reigning champion Chicago Blackhawks. The crushing loss might have been enough to send any team into a tailspin, but the Bruins spent the offseason upgrading the team and adding depth and offensive strength. It’s rare for any group to make back-to-back finals appearances—it has happened only once this century—yet if any team were destined to do it, the Bruins might be that team.

The oddsmakers at Sportsbook.ag expect Boston to be a contender this season and have installed them as the third favorite to win the Stanley Cup title and the second favorite to win the east. Let’s take a closer look at a few Boston Bruins’ futures odds and figure out just how good the team will be this season.

Title Odds

Chicago Blackhawks: +500
Pittsburgh Penguins: +550
Boston Bruins: +800
Los Angele Kings: +1000

The NHL season is much more volatile and has more parity than a sport like the NBA where the heavy favorite usually wins the title. Boston may be only the third-best team in the eyes of the oddsmakers, but that is no guarantee that the other ‘best’ teams will make it to the finals. The Bruins definitely have value at +800 and will be a major contender throughout the season. However, bettors will probably have more value wagering on the Eastern Conference finals odds or even the division winner odds.

Eastern Conference Odds

Pittsburgh Penguins: +250
Boston Bruins: +400
New York Rangers: +500
Detroit Red Wings: +700

The Eastern Conference seems destined for another Bruins versus Penguins matchup. Last season Pittsburgh went into that series feeling like the superior team yet managed to score only two goals during the entire four-game series. Pittsburgh will be searching for a measure of revenge this season. And if the teams happen to meet in the Conference finals again, there is one thing we know for certain—the Bruins can beat the Penguins. The only wild card with these futures odds is, of course, the newly-implemented Conference realignment, which moved the Detroit Red Wings to the East. It adds another contender for Boston to deal with and could throw a wrench into the team’s title hopes.

Atlantic Division

Boston Bruins: +175
Detroit Red Wings: +300
Montreal Canadiens: +450
Toronto Maple Leafs: +450

The Detroit Red Wings might be a major player to win the Atlantic Division mainly because they will be the surprise team in the East. Switching conferences may have its advantages for Detroit, and they should provide good competition for Boston. Last season the Canadiens scored more points than Boston, but they are not expected to be a playoff team this year. On paper the Bruins are a very talented group, and if injuries do not derail the team’s championship aspirations, they should be able to make a deep playoff run. Wagering on the Boston to win the Atlantic Division has great value, and it probably the best Bruins future on the board.

Read more articles by George Monroy