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The addition of one defenseman and the subtraction of another may be the deciding factor in the race for the Eastern Conference crown in the 2017 NHL playoffs.
The Washington Capitals are hoping a trade for Kevin Shattenkirk will put them over the top and get them back to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1998 as the +225 betting favorites (wager $100 to win $225) to win the East at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.
Shattenkirk was acquired from the St. Louis Blues before the trade deadline, and both teams have been better since that deal was made.