The National Hockey League is almost here!
Preseason hockey is well under way, with the regular season set to drop the puck on Tuesday, October 10th!
Before the season kicks off, let’s discuss the divisional odds and best future bets for each!
Plenty has changed since last offseason, so let’s get into all of it.
NHL Divisional Odds Breakdown
We won’t go into too much detail, but we will give a quick synopsis of each division. And of course, we’ve got our pick and a dark horse for each division.
Let’s do it!
Can Matthews, Marner and the Leafs make the ECF this year?
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
- Toronto Maple Leafs +190
- Boston Bruins +375
- Florida Panthers +375
- Tampa Bay Lightning +650
- Buffalo Sabres +800
- Ottawa Senators +1100
- Detroit Red Wings +2000
- Montreal Canadiens +10000
Pick to Win: Toronto Maple Leafs (+190)
The Boston Bruins ran away with the Atlantic last year, so everyone has their sites set on taking that title from them. As we can see, the Leafs are the betting favorite by a wide margin going into the season.
The Leafs are certainly stacked. Along with Matthews, Marner, Tavares and Nylander, they also acquired Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi. They were tied for 6th averaging 2.67 goals against per game, and cleared buffed up their offensive fire power.
In this very tough division, I expect very few points to separate 3rd-6th in this division, and I could easily see 5 teams sneaking their way into the playoffs.
However, I do think this is the Leafs year to win the division, and dare I say, make a Stanley Cup run.
Dark Horse: Buffalo Sabres (+800)
Call me crazy, but I think both the Sabres and even the Senators could knock off one of the big dogs and end up in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
These teams have good young cores, and made some off season acquisitions.
The Sabres added winger Jordan Greenway who easily helps with physicality and veteran leadership. Plus Devon Levi is bound for greatness.
The Senators added well sought after Vladimir Tarasenko. Pairing him with Brady Tkachuk could be deadly to defenses. Additionally, Joonas Korpisalo brings much needed help to the goaltending.
Will Carolina stay healthy late in the season?
Metropolitan Division
- Carolina Hurricanes +175
- New Jersey Devils +240
- New York Rangers +375
- Pittsburgh Penguins +650
- New York Islanders +1100
- Washington Capitals +2200
- Columbus Blue Jackets +6600
- Philadelphia Flyers +6600
Pick to Win: Carolina Hurricanes (+175)
The other division in the East is the Carolina Hurricanes to lose this year. They made a playoff run last year despite being banged up, and this year they have arguably the best defensive core in their conference, with the additions of Tony DeAngelo and Caleb Jones.
The Devils could take the crown from them. New Jersey added Tyler Toffoli to help Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier on offense, but goaltending remains a big question mark. The Across the river, the Rangers added Blake Wheeler and Jonathan Quick, hoping to make another Eastern Conference Final.
The Islanders will go as far as Ilya Sorokin can carry them, and defense is the name of their game. However, I think the Penguins could be sneaky.
Dark Horse: Pittsburgh Penguins (+650)
Sidney Crosby’s career is coming to a close, and I’m sure he wants one last Stanley Cup Trophy. They added veteran Reilly Smith and defenseman Erik Karlsson. This sincerely helps the goaltending issues that the Penguins have, and I think they will be fun to watch this season.
Just like the Atlantic, this division is top heavy but very competitive. I think New York residents might miss out on playoff hockey as a whole this year, forcing them to watch the Devils make a run.
How far can this young Stars team go in 2024?
Western Conference
Central Division
- Colorado Avalanche +150
- Dallas Stars +175
- Minnesota Wild +650
- Winnipeg Jets +800
- St. Louis Blues +1400
- Nashville Predators +1600
- Arizona Coyotes +7500
- Chicago Blackhawks +8000
Pick to Win: Dallas Stars (+175)
Yes, we’re incredibly chalky so far, but this Stars team is young, hungry, and has all the pieces. With the addition of Matt Duchene, Dallas is the biggest threat to the Avalanche considering Gabriel Landeskog is out for the entire season. Colorado also lost plenty of offense in the offseason.
I’m not huge on the Wild this year who did not add much and certainly lost plenty. I think the Predators could sneak into the playoffs with good play from Roman Josi, Jusse Saros and new addition Ryan O’Reilly. The veteran has plenty of playoff and championship experience.
Speaking of O’Reilly, don’t sleep on his former team the St. Louis Blues.
Dark Horse: St. Louis Blues (+1400)
Now, do I think the Blues win this division? No. I think the Stars and Avs are head and shoulders above the rest of these teams.
However, I like the Blues this year more than the Wild, Jets, or even the Preds. Adding Kevin Hayes is big for their offense that struggled without Tarasenko and O’Reilly. If Jordan Binnington shows out, I could see the Blues finding a way into the playoffs.
Matty Beniers looks to lead the Kraken back to the playoffs
Pacific Division
- Edmonton Oilers +185
- Vegas Golden Knights +225
- Los Angeles Kings +375
- Calgary Flames +850
- Seattle Kraken +900
- Vancouver Canucks +1400
- San Jose Sharks +10000
- Anaheim Ducks +20000
Pick to Win: Los Angeles Kings (+375)
Could this be the Kings year? Can they top the Oilers and the Stanley Cup Champions?
I think they can with some off season acquisitions, and maybe an early trade. The Kings added Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Winnipeg Jets, reportedly leaving goalie Connor Hellebuyck and unhappy camper. I think there’s a chance Hellebuyck goes to LA.
Even if he doesn’t, they added Cam Talbot who I think is a step up from their other options in Peterson, and Korpisalo. It will obviously be tough to top the Oilers and Knights, but both of those squads, lost more than they gained this season. I believe the Kings closed the gap they were facing the past couple years.
The Flames were horrendous last year, and lost Tyler Toffoli, so I do not trust them at all, but I’ve got some faith in the Kraken.
Dark Horse: Seattle Kraken (+900)
The Kraken added Kailer Yamamoto from the Oilers after sneaking into the playoffs last year, and upsetting the defending champion Avalanche in the first round.
Call me crazy, but I think the Kraken could make a deeper run this year. I love Matty Beniers and Shane Wright to step up and lead this team.
As far as the Canucks, Sharks, and Ducks go, I do not plan on betting on them at all this season, and will probably be fading in most spots.
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