With the NHL season underway tonight, I will highlight the best bets for each team in the league. Whether it be lifting Lord Stanly come June, who will win the Presidents Trophy or points totals. I will give you my insight into the upcoming NHL season. All odds are from DraftKings Sports Book. As always please use proper judgment when making your own picks.
Anaheim Ducks UNDER 71.5 Points -110
In 2019 before the pandemic the Ducks won 29 games good for 67 points in 71 games, in 2020 they were 2nd to last in points with 43 in 56 games played, a trend that is not going in the right direction, with the league opening up they will play against the better teams not only in the West, but also in the East as well.
Arizona Coyotes TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS +1700
Going back to the regular division and conference will help the Yotes this upcoming season. Arizona was an 11 seed back in 2020 beating a cup contender in the play-in round in the Nashville Predators. Last year they were in a really tough division playing the likes of Vegas, St. Louis, Minnesota, and Colorado. This year things go back to “normal” as they will go back to the division format that will only benefit them. They can sneak in as the top 3 in the division, but a wild card is definitely in the cards for them.
Boston Bruins TO WIN PRESIDENTS TROPHY +1200
Ideally, I wanted to lock in the Bruins to win the Atlantic Division but DraftKings, unfortunately, does not have the odds to win the division, they will make the playoffs and at -600 is not worth the price, the next lean I looked to is to win the Presidents Trophy. They are 5th best odds, and they will be pushed with Tampa Bay to play their best hockey for all 82 games as they battle for the division.
Buffalo Sabres UNDER 68.5 Points -110
This one is my most favorite play of the bunch, who knows when or even if Jack Eckel will suit up for the Sabres this year. If he is cleared medically he will likely be traded as everyone wants to move on from all the drama that has been the past year, either way they will be with out there most skilled player for majority of the season and that wont go well for the Sabres this upcoming season.
Calgary Flames TO MAKE PLAYOFFS -125
One of the easier plays of the bunch, as the Flames are easily one of the top eight best teams in the West, winning the Pacific is an option but I don’t think they are better than the Knights (-160) or the Oilers (+380). If you can find a book that has them to be Top 3 in the division they are worth that grab, as if they make the playoffs it will be in that form rather than a Wild Card spot.
Carolina Hurricanes TO WIN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE +1300 / TO WIN THE STANLEY CUP +2500
One of the best value picks in my opinion. Carolina is a team on the trend upward. They have made deep runs in the playoffs each of the past years, and the time is now. They have made all the right moves, brought in the right coaching, and found a legit goalie that can lead them to another deep run. They aren’t the “sexy” pick like Tampa Bay, Boston, Vegas, or Colorado but they sure have just as much of a chance as each of the other favorites and they are also fun to watch also
Chicago Blackhawks TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS +100
It’s amazing how one player can change everything, like how I ran to the computer to look at every Rams bet possible when they traded for Matt Stafford, I did the same for the Blackhawks when they traded for Marc-Andre Fleury. All the guy does is win games. He won in Pittsburgh, he won in Vegas, and he will do it again and restore hockey back in the Windy City. Expect the Hawks to push for a Top 3 spot but a Wild Card is obtainable for sure.
Colorado Avalanche UNDER 110.5 POINTS +115
Colorado has a lot of expectations this year, they are the favorite to win the cup (+475), the conference (+200), and the division (-250). I am ready to defy those odds and say they will make the playoffs since they are a talented group, but to get 110.5 points you need to win 56 games, to put that in perspective before COVID they only had 42 wins (92 points), and won only 40+ games once in the past six seasons.
Columbus Blue Jackets UNDER 76.5 POINTS -110
One of the hardest teams to gauge as they move on from one of my favorite coaches in John Tortarella, the Brad Larson era will begin. They have the talent to do well but how will they react to the new coach? If you told me they would go OVER 76 points I wouldn’t argue with you, but they likely won’t make the playoffs even at a nice price of +1100 they would likely get in as a Wild Card but even that is a stretch.
Dallas Stars TO WIN DIVISION (CENTRAL) +1200
As mentioned above with the Avalanche I think the Avs’ will crack under the pressure. Dallas made the Finals two seasons ago taking Tampa to 6 games. Last season they missed the playoffs completely but with the realignment, they were mixed in with a majority of Eastern conference teams. Now back to West they have a chance to pick up where they left off and make another run at the Cup.
Detroit Red Wings UNDER 77.5 POINTS -135
Projected to be one of the worst teams in the league and rightfully so, the Wings will struggle again this year as they try to continue to find the rebuilding formula that will help they get back to the glory days. The only team that might be worse than them will be Buffalo.
Edmonton Oilers (Conor McDavid TO WIN MVP) +200
So this isn’t a team bet but it does involve the Oilers. McDavid is by far the best player in the league. He has taken that title away from the stars from the past in Ovechkin and Crosby and he is basically in a league of his own when it comes to talent. What he did last year in 56 games was amazing to watch and see. I look forward to seeing him break some records in a normal 82 game season and win yet another MVP Trophy (The Hart Trophy).
Florida Panthers TO MISS PLAYOFFS +320
Name me the top 8 best teams in the East… Ok got it… The Florida Panthers aren’t one of them right? Now let’s seriously think about it. Will they beat out Tampa, Boston or Toronto for the Top 3? In my opinion, no. So that leaves the Wild Card Spots. Can they grab one? Yes, considering Carey Price is a huge question mark for the Habs, but even without them, the Metro is stacked and will be competing with the likes of the Rangers, Devils (more to come), Flyers and the list goes on. The only way they make it is finishing top 3 and I don’t see it happening.
Los Angeles Kings UNDER 83.5 POINTS -125
The Kings are in the same boat as the Blue Jackets as they are one of those teams that can go either way, but being in the West, the under was an easier play that I would take. Saying they would win 42 games (more than half) is very unlikely. Winning 21 of 56 games last season was a indicator on how they will be as you had 30 more games to the mix they will likely win about 30-35 games putting them at 70 points on the high end.
Minnesota Wild TO MAKE PLAYOFFS -320
I know it is a boring play but there was bound to be one of them. I am already committing myself for the Stars to win the Central, but the Wild have just as good of a shot to win it, I just don’t want to contradict myself by saying another team will win it. I do like the odds at +650 if you want to take a gamble at it, but making the playoffs will be a lock for the Wild as they are one of the most balanced teams in the league.
Montreal Canadiens TO MISS THE PLAYOFFS -195 / UNDER 89.5 POINTS +100
From Stanley Cup runner up to a favorite to miss the playoffs, a lot has happened since the Finals a few months ago, but to be fair in a normal season the Habs would have been the 10th best team in the East, so it’s fair to say they got lucky last year. They only played teams from Canada and it was only Toronto and Edmonton against the rest of the teams across the border. 89.5 points says they are going to win 45 games, i don’t see it happening especially with who knows how long Carey Price will be stepping away from the team. There was talk before this week when the season ended last year that he would be out due to injury but now that it is official the Habs will rely on out scoring teams and playing defense, mind you their best defensive player is a offensive one.
Nashville Predators TO MAKE PLAYOFFS +235
One of my favorite bets on the list, I was sad to see long-time Predator Pekka Renne retire from the team. Saros has slowly took the reigns of Goalie #1 in Nashville and like the Wild they are completely balanced on all lines. Nashville will only go as far as Saros will take them and they can sneak into the Top 3 in the Central but a Wild Card spot is not out of the question as the Central could claim both spots.
New Jersey Devils TO MAKE PLAYOFFS +170 / OVER 90.5 POINTS +105
Told you more to come… this might come as a shock to some as I am liking the Devils (as a very open Rangers fan) but when it comes to betting I can put my bias and fandom aside (see two teams below) The Devils are maturing. They showed that at the end of last season. P.K. Subban seems to be a shell of himself, but if he can find himself again he will add much-needed scoring on the blue line. My only issue is goaltending…. will Blackwood take a step forward to be a solid #1 option, or will Jonathan Bernier or Scott Wedgewood take over? Like my Nashville play goaltending will play a big role.
New York Islanders TO WIN THE METRO +275
No one has been there more times over the past few years than the New York Islanders, and like the Hurricanes, their time is now. They are the best team in the Metro, and likely the second or third best team in the East (behind Tampa Bay and Boston) I was in shock when I saw how much of a difference was between them and the next favorite (Rangers +425) to win the division. Honestly the division is a two-team race between the Islander and the Canes it will just be a matter of who.
New York Rangers TO MISS PLAYOFFS +160
If you’re a Rangers fan you can’t be a fan of what happened in the offseason. It all started with the Tom Wilson craziness at the end of the season, then the firing (and completely unnecessary) of Gordon and Davidson, then firing the head coach Dan Quinn (again questionable but not against it). Enter Gerard Gallant and a reshaping of what seemed to be such a promising young core that the past regime took their time with making and you now have a disaster among us in the big apple. I’m not saying the Rangers won’t be competitive but to completely go from speed and scoring to now a team that wants to grind it out is a drastic change.
Ottawa Senators UNDER 77.5 POINTS -125
Not much to go over here, this is another one of those easy bets. Ottawa will be one of the worst teams in the league and it will be another few years where they will be competitive again.
Philadelphia Flyers TO MAKE PLAYOFFS +105 / OVER 92.5 POINTS -110
The Devils and Flyers both have very similar point totals but oddly the Flyers’ odds are better? Something just seems off by it. The Metro is going to be one of the toughest divisions to play in and one of the most exciting ones to follow. Not much value in any of the Flyers futures but when something seems off I want to take advantage of it.
Pittsburgh Penguins TO MISS PLAYOFFS +175
Regression happens, it’s part of sports and, well, life. The Pens are starting to see it happen. In a stacked division where they are arguably the 5th best team they will be battling to grab a Wild Card spot all season and will just miss out as the Penguin Dynasty will slowly fade away.
San Jose Sharks TO MISS PLAYOFFS -320
Another “gimmie” bet as Taylor Swift will say “I swear I don’t love the drama, it loves me.” That’s what the Sharks have dealt with this whole offseason with Evander Kane. From allegedly betting on games that he has played in, to using a fake vaccination card the drama is everywhere with San Jose and I’m staying far far away from it.
Seattle Kraken TO MAKE PLAYOFFS -130
I wish I wrote this weeks ago when it was plus money, now it has no value, but I do think we will see Vegas 2.0 in Seattle where they will make the playoffs, I don’t think they will go all the way to the Finals like Vegas but they can take a series or two and surprise some people.
St. Louis Blues (Jordan Binnington to Win Vezna Award) +2000
One of the biggest long shots on the article, we can all sing Gloria again this season as the Blues will rebound from last season and Jordan Binnington will regain form and also be in the Vezna race and carry the Blues to a deep playoff run.
Tampa Bay Lightning UNDER 106.5 POINTS -115
Tampa Bay has played a lot of hockey over the past few seasons and rightfully so as they won back-to-back Stanley Cups. Making deep playoff runs over and over again can take a toll on a team. Saying basically they will win 54 games is likely but as I mentioned I see the Bruins taking the Atlantic and becoming President Trophy winners. Tampa knows what they got, they are in a way the Lakers of the NHL, the regular season doesn’t mean much but come playoffs they turn a different gear, so as long as they get in (and they will) they will be fine.
Toronto Maple Leafs TO MISS PLAYOFFS +800
The Maple Leafs do this thing where they like to disappoint. Here they are again as they will disappoint again MISSING the playoffs as they made a change at goal going with Petr Mrazek this year, and Auston Mathews is already on the IR to start the season.
Vancouver Canucks TO MAKE PLAYOFFS +170
This is another one of my favorite picks on the sheet. Just something about Vancouver I like. They have great depth on their roster, but like a few other teams I mentioned (Nashville and New Jersey) goaltending is going to play a key role in how they do this season. This is more of a value play than anything else as they can get in the Top 3 in the Pacific edging out the Flames or Oilers, with the Wild Card also being in play.
Vegas Golden Knights NO PLAYS
Well, it took me all the way to Vegas to not make a play on a team. Their futures are just too juiced up to make any play. Maybe to win the West (+300) or the Cup (+750) is a play to make but those odds don’t do it for me nor do I think they will win either of those bets. Losing Fleury (by choice) will come back to hurt them as they lose a huge veteran presence in the locker room.
Washington Capitals TO MISS PLAYOFFS +115
Originally I wanted to do some sort of Ovechkin prop but due to his injury there are no lines for him. As mentioned with the Penguins one of these teams will miss the playoffs as their franchise stars start to age and slow down. It’s just a matter of what team will miss, I would lean more on the Penguins than Washington but they are both a 50/50 coin flip.
Winnipeg Jets TO MAKE PLAYOFFS -150
The only Jets team that will be playing meaningful games come January, the Jets will make a strong push to win the Central as they and the Wild will be neck in neck. Both teams are lead by amazing goaltending and defense. With me being so down on Colorado they deserve a shot at winning the central with such great odds (+1400), but if you wanna play it safe they will for sure be playing hockey come April / May.