What is an online sports betting sleeper? Obviously, it’s not a contender. The Flyers aren’t a sleeper; they’re a great team. It’s not necessarily a team that gets little respect, either; the Canucks don’t get tons of fanfare but they’re clearly a good team. A sleeper is ultimately a team flying under the radar – an afterthought in most fans’ eyes. Here are five NHL teams expected to miss the playoffs that could shock you.

5. Toronto Maple Leafs

They’re not a sleeper in the sense of the media coverage they get, but they are a sleeper in that everyone outside Toronto expects them to flop. The rebuilding process won’t work overnight, but the pieces are in place for a turnaround. Toronto’s top four defenseman are among the best in the league and this team’s physicality could cause matchup problems for small teams like Montreal and Buffalo.

4. Tampa Bay Lightning

Like the Packers in NFL betting, the Lightning probably need another year of seasoning before they contend for a playoff berth again. However, you never know; Tampa has plenty of new talent. Alex Tanguay should mesh nicely with fellow French Canadians Vinny Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis while Victor Hedman and Matthias Ohlund instantly give Tampa a new top two on defense. Mike Smith in goal is the wild card. Watch for 30-plus goals from Steven Stamkos.

3. Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers were overrated last year; now they’re underrated. They have a stalwart to rely on in goal with Nikolai Khabibulin joining up; they have enough talent on the blueline with Sheldon Souray, Tom Gilbert and company. The wild cards are the forwards. Edmonton has speed and playmaking ability to spare but seriously lacks size, physicality and goal-scoring ability. It didn’t make much sense to deal Erik Cole.

2. Los Angeles Kings

Are they this year’s Blackhawks or Blues? L.A. has stockpiled young talent for several years – Kopitar, Brown, Johnson, Doughty, Schenn – and may be on the verge of a breakout. If their goaltending holds up, mark my words: they’ll steal the eighth seed from Columbus. I’m loving their hockey odds.

1. Ottawa Senators

Philly instituted the ultimate quick turnaround two years ago; is it Ottawa’s turn? The Dany Heatley trade combined with the Alex Kovalev signing suddenly gave Ottawa two legit scoring lines with Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson, Milan Michalek and Jonathan Cheechoo joining Kovalev. If Pascal Leclaire stays healthy, he may be the best goalie Ottawa’s ever had. The Sens will return to the playoffs – at the Rangers’ expense. It’s smart betting management to bet over their projected win total.