NHL Central Division Preview
The NHL drops the puck to begin the 2021 season on Jan. 13, and things look different. Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the league has implemented many adaptations to the structure of divisions, schedules, and playoff seeding. You can read more about these upcoming changes in this CBS article.
Fortunately for those of us submerged in the online sports betting world, this won’t really affect our NHL betting action. The only amendment for bettors to consider is the fact that there are only 56 regular-season games. There are typically 82 games in a full NHL season.
Let’s take a look at the new NHL Central Division, and explore the most recent NHL division odds. We don’t want to miss a single slapshot, kick-save (and a beauty), or an icy prize fight. Game on!
Out With 2 Legit Contenders
The Central Division swelled from seven squads to eight, with four playoff teams trading places, and the Detroit Red Wings joining to round out the realignment. The three teams to remain in the Central Division are the Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, and Chicago Blackhawks. Waving goodbye to the 2019 Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues, the Central welcomed the reigning champion Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Central also lost the Colorado Avalanche, who are the current favorites regarding Stanley Cup odds, coming in at +650. The Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota Wild shifted into the North and West Divisions, respectively, while the Central gained blue-collar grit. In addition to the league-worst Red Wings and the Cup champion Lightning, the Columbus Blue Jackets, Carolina Hurricanes, and Florida Panthers joined the fray.
Projected Winner and Playoff Predictions
Updated NHL divisional odds on our online sportsbook show the Tampa Bay Lightning (+125) as favored to win the Central. This is no surprise since the Bolts are rated as the second-most likely to win the Stanley Cup. The last team to win back-to-back Stanley Cups was the Pittsburgh Penguins, who did it in 2016-17.
The Carolina Hurricanes (+350) have the second-best odds, with the 2020 Stanley Cup runner-up Dallas Stars relegated to third (+450). There will be four playoff teams from each division this season, and so far I agree with the oddsmakers. The Lightning, Hurricanes, and Stars should all reach the postseason, but I have a bone to pick with No. 4.
The Nashville Predators (+625) are rated as the fourth-most-likely team to win the Central, which projects them into the playoffs. However, the Columbus Blue Jackets (+735) are much more likely to secure the fourth Central Division postseason berth. Columbus has shown tremendous grit and moxie, and should not be underestimated. The Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks will fall short, and the Detroit Red Wings are the Central Division whipping post.
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