On Tuesday, October 10, the puck drops on a new season in the NHL. The Vegas Golden Knights will open up their Stanley Cup defense against the Seattle Kraken. We are evaluating the latest odds at NHL betting sites to make our best NHL picks and predictions for every division.
The NHL divisions consist of the Atlantic Division, Metropolitan Division, Central Division, and Pacific Division. Last season, the top regular season team emerged from the Atlantic Division. The Boston Bruins secured 135 points to finish with the NHL’s best record at 65-12-5.
However, the Bruins crashed out of the playoffs against the Florida Panthers in the opening round. The lesson to draw from this is that your NHL betting strategy for the regular season and playoffs should differ.
2023-24 NHL Picks and Predictions For Divisions
Let’s delve into the NHL divisions and lock in our best picks to win all four divisions in the NHL. There is certainly some value on the board to win the NHL divisions at BetOnline:
2023-24 NHL Atlantic Division Odds and Predictions
| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Montreal Canadiens fans are not going to be thrilled with the Atlantic Division odds. Not only do they have the worst odds to win the Atlantic, but the Toronto Maple Leafs are favored at +190.
In 2022-2023, the Maple Leafs finished second in the division. They were 24 points behind the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Bruins. The Bruins lost David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron to retirement in the offseason.
Krejci and Bergeron were the heart and soul of the Bruins. Their absence will be evident this season. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs bring back their core of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander, while GM Brad Treliving was able to add grit and depth in free agency.
While bettors will be hesitant of betting on the Maple Leafs at Stanley Cup betting sites, they should win their first divisional title since the shortened and realigned 2021 campaign.
2023-24 NHL Metropolitan Division Odds and Predictions
| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Last season, the Carolina Hurricanes edged out the New Jersey Devils by a point to secure the top record in the Metropolitan Division. The difference was an extra point by the Hurricanes due to a loss in overtime.
The Devils were not expected to be as competitive as they were last season. They showed phenomenal improvement to 55-22-8 after going 27-46-9 a year earlier.
As the Devils’ young core led by Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier continues to develop, expect to witness an additional step forward in New Jersey.
Also, the Tomas Nosek and Colin Miller acquisitions should provide the Devils with veteran leadership and depth.
At +240 odds, the Devils are a terrific value wager to win the Metropolitan Division.
2023-24 NHL Central Division Odds and Predictions
| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| 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 |
The Colorado Avalanche entered the 2022-23 season as a favorite to repeat as Stanley Cup champs. They hoped to have captain Gabriel Landeskog back for the playoffs, but he was unable to recover in time from his knee injury.
Despite Landeskog’s absence, the Avalanche won the Central Division. They finished one point in front of the Dallas Stars at 51-24-7.
With Landeskog ruled out for the 2023-24 regular season, the team is still optimistic that the knee cartilage transplant will be successful for him to be back for the playoffs.
In any event, the Avalanche proved that they can win in his absence with Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Maker. The addition of Miles Wood will take pressure off the core.
Landeskog is out again, but the Avs Continue to have the best roster in the Central Division. Currently, the Avalanche have the second-best odds to win the Stanley Cup at sports betting sites.
2023-24 Pacific Division Odds and Predictions
| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| 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 |
The 2022-23 NHL Stanley Cup champs emerged from the Pacific Division. Against all odds, the Vegas Golden Knights won the Pacific, and then won Lord Stanley’s Cup.
The question is whether Adin Hill can stay hot between the pipes? Hill caught lightning in a bottle after spending most of his career as a backup goaltender.
With centers Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in the prime of their careers, the most talented club in the Pacific is in Edmonton. Along with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman, the Oilers are at their peak.
Expect the Golden Knights to suffer from a small Stanley Cup hangover. The Oilers should take advantage to take the Pacific Division crown in the regular season.
