The Tampa Bay Lightning open as the odds-on favorites to three-peat as Eastern Conference Champions. The Bolts are two-time defending Stanley Cup Champions and can become the first franchise since the New York Islanders in the early 1990s to win three consecutive Cups.

However, several franchises are emerging as dark horses to dethrone the Bolts from their perch over the Eastern Conference. We have our sights set on one team in particular as early underdogs to capture the Eastern Conference Championship.