The NHL is chaotic and prides itself on being on par with other major leagues in North America, but both divisions have been underpowered the past few seasons.
Six teams in the Eastern Conference (Rangers, Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, Bruins, Lightning, Panthers) have made the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, compared to just four teams in the Eastern Conference (Oilers, Avalanche, , Stars, Kings). In the Western Conference, three more teams (Predators, Jets, and Wild) advanced in two of the last three campaigns.
Sales have declined since the shortened 2020-21 season, leading most experts and investors to believe the same will happen in 2024-25. However, I would like to caution you about this.
For the first time in years, the bottom tier of the NHL is no longer home to a handful of teams actively tanking. This will automatically raise the base of the league, making it more competitive and, as a result, raising the level of the league even further. You'll probably see some confusion.
With the start of the season just days away, consider parlaying lottery tickets for division winners on FanDuel to see if you can take advantage of a potentially chaotic season in the NHL.
2024-25 NHL Season Division Winner Parlay (850/1)
- Metropolitan: New Jersey Devils (+230)
- Atlantic Ocean: Buffalo Sabers (+1600)
- Center: Dallas Stars (+230)
- Pacific: Vegas Golden Knights (+360)
Probability of winning Metropolitan area division
| team | odds | team | odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| devil | +230 | penguin | +1100 |
| hurricane | +260 | capital | +1500 |
| rangers | +290 | flyer | +1700 |
| islanders | +900 | blue jacket | 150/1 |
Everyone is picking on the Devils for a comeback season, and there's no reason to go against the flow.
New Jersey completely overhauled its goaltender by trading Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen, but the Devils also brought in some effective support players on the blue line in Branden Dillon and Brett Pesce.
Add these players to the core of Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Dougie Hamilton, and Jesper Bratt, and you have what appears to be a pretty good recipe for a big season in Newark.
Metropolitan Designated Player: Devils (+230)
Odds of winning the Atlantic Division
| team | odds | team | odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| panthers | +230 | senator | +1000 |
| maple leaf | +290 | red wing | +1300 |
| lightning | +440 | Saber | +1600 |
| bruins | +500 | canadian | 100/1 |
This is a lottery-like angle, so you'd have to take a long shot to get this lottery ticket, but you hit the Sabers, who haven't made the playoffs in 13 years. However, the elements are in place for a big leap forward from the extremely disappointing 2023-24 season.
The most frustrating thing for the Sabers last season was that while they improved defensively, they took a huge step back offensively, which was supposed to be their calling card. The Sabers finished with 91 points and were expected to advance higher, but they fell short and everyone jumped ship.
I can't blame the guys for doing things like that considering how many times Buffalo has fooled us, but this number is a big deal for a team that needs to score, has a great blue line and two emerging goaltenders. Long enough to be very attractive to teams.
Atlantic Pick: Sabers (+1600)
Odds of winning the Central District
| team | odds | team | odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| avalanche | +210 | jets | +700 |
| star | +230 | Utah Hockey Club | 20/1 |
| predator | +500 | blues | 20/1 |
| wild | +700 | black hawks | 110/1 |
The Stars have scored 98, 108, and 113 points over the past three seasons, and have a good chance of improving again in 2024-25.
Miro Heiskanen, Thomas Hurley, and Esa Lindell anchor a deep blueline, while the forward group is as deep as any team in the league, with Wyatt Johnston, Logan Stankoven, and Mavrik Bulkke playing bigger roles. It should become even better by taking on the role of
Although Jake Oettinger had a down year in 2024-25, he is projected to be one of the best netminders in the Western Conference and should give this team the goaltender it needs to compete in the Central.
Center selection: Star (+230)
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Odds of winning the Pacific Division
| team | odds | team | odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| oiler | +115 | kraken | +1700 |
| golden knights | +360 | flame | January 33rd |
| canucks | +410 | duck | 150/1 |
| kings | +550 | shark | 150/1 |
The Oilers are the last favorites to win any division race, but don't sleep on Las Vegas of the Pacific. The Golden Knights were eliminated in the first round last spring, but outscored the Stars in seven games in that series and were more unlucky than anything else.
Vegas dealt with injuries up and down the lineup in 2023-24, but will now enter a full season with backbones Jack Eichel, Thomas Hartl and William Karlsson. They are deep on the blue line up front and should have decent goaltending in the tandem of Adin Hill and Ilya Samsonov.
The Knights can beat these odds and win a payout of 850/1 on the parlay.
Pacific designated player: Golden Knights (+360)
2024-25 NHL Season Division Winner Parlay (850/1, FanDuel)
- Metropolitan: New Jersey Devils (+230)
- Atlantic Ocean: Buffalo Sabers (+1600)
- Center: Dallas Stars (+230)
- Pacific: Vegas Golden Knights (+450)
Why trust New York Post Betting?
Michael Levov told the New York Post that he handicaps the EPL, NHL, golf, and anything other than the NFL and NBA. He bet on EPL and gained 49.73 units, giving him an ROI of 7.17%.
