After a bit of a disruption with COVID-19 postponements, the 2021-22 National Hockey League season continues, and over the last month, several teams have taken off to separate themselves a bit from the pack or to remedy slower starts to the season. Other teams have started to slide a bit since the middle of December. Let’s take a look at some teams that we expect to make the postseason, along with some NHL betting insights that will help you with futures wagers.
NHL News: Midseason Playoff Predictions (Favorites, Smart Picks, Dark Horses)
Favorites
Florida Panthers
The Panthers went from December 16 until January 18 without a loss. Over that stretch, they averaged six goals per game and did not permit a single short-handed goal. They did put almost 40 shots on goal per game over that time frame. While they did lose to Calgary, they bounced back with big wins in Edmonton and Vancouver before falling in Seattle.
Florida will reach Playoffs? : Bet the NHL Playoffs Today
Colorado Avalanche
Cale Makar has emerged as an elite player in an offense that was already putting up goals at a terrific pace. Mikko Rantanen has continued to pour in goals as well, but Makar’s offense from the blue line has made the Avalanche even more of a threat.
Colorado will reach Playoffs? : Bet the NHL Playoffs Today
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes finally suffered their first shutout of 2021-22 when they took a 6-0 beating at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Since the middle of December, the NHL’s best power play has been in Carolina, and the team has put up more than four goals per game, while also showing a shutdown defense.
Carolina will reach Playoffs? : Bet the NHL Playoffs Today
Vegas Golden Knights
One interesting fact about Vegas: between December 15 and January 15, they went undefeated away from home but only posted a 2-4-2 record in their own arena. T-Mobile Arena was once one of the most difficult road environments in the NHL, so it will be interesting to see if the Golden Knights can get back to leveraging that mojo.
Vegas will reach Playoffs? : Bet the NHL Playoffs Today
Tampa Bay Lightning
You can’t have a playoff discussion about the NHL without talking about the Lightning, who have built what looks like a dynasty, at least for now. It starts in the back with Andrei Vasilevskiy between the pipes. He ranks in the top third in save percentage and wins since he got back from the COVID-19 protocols, and the players in front of him are showing even more confidence than usual.
Tampa Bay will reach Playoffs? : Bet the NHL Playoffs Today
Smart Picks
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs went through a 30-day stretch in which they only played six games due to COVID-19 issues and limits on arena capacity in Ontario. The rust is showing late in games, as Toronto blew big leads against St. Louis, Colorado and Vegas in recent action, and they also were tied with Arizona in the third period and could not finish with victory points. Finishing strong is essential for playoff success.
Toronto will reach Playoffs? : Bet the NHL Playoffs Today
Minnesota Wild
Kirill Kaprizov is starting to look like the young phenom the Wild thought he would be, and the team has bounced back from an ugly December. They put up tons of points in the early going before starting to slide a bit, but maybe they are ready to do something in the second season after turning things around in January.
Minnesota will reach Playoffs? : Bet the NHL Playoffs Today
Dark Horses
Dallas Stars
Between December 15 and January 18, Dallas won just five times, and head coach Rick Bowness called out his group’s competitive fire in the media. He dropped John Klingberg out of the top defensive pairing to see if that would motivate the blueliners, and he has said he wants to healthy scratch others as well. How did the team respond? By sweeping a four-game East Coast swing in Buffalo, Detroit, Philadelphia and New Jersey. Those aren’t scary teams by any stretch of the imagination, but the team’s big wins, including a combined 8-2 goal total against Philly and New Jersey on both nights of a back-to-back, suggest the message made it.
Dallas will reach Playoffs? : Bet the NHL Playoffs Today
Washington Capitals
You wouldn’t expect to see the Caps in a dark horse section, but they lost five of their first six games to start 2022, and they failed to average even three goals per game. They have had injury woes, but it will be interesting to see how they respond to this adversity.
Washington will reach Playoffs? : Bet the NHL Playoffs Today
NHL Betting Odds
Love betting on hockey like in the NHL? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date NHL Betting Odds
