After the realignment necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Central Division looked to be one of the most competitive. Both of last year’s Stanley Cup finalists (Dallas and Tampa Bay) were in the division, along with Carolina, Florida, Columbus and Nashville, teams known for playing a gritty style and picking up tough wins despite a lack of overall star power. Chicago and Detroit were seen more as rebuilding teams, although the Blackhawks did surprise a lot of NHL viewers by qualifying for the playoffs last year. Much of that has proven true this season, with the exception of Dallas, who rode a hot goaltender (Anton Khudobin) to the finals last year, only to see his play drop significantly this season. The team has lost 10 games in overtime or shootouts this season, more than any other NHL team, despite playing fewer games than any other team due to early COVID-19 postponements and a weeklong electricity crisis in Texas during a winter storm.
Let’s take a look at the latest NHL betting odds for each of the division’s clubs to win the title, along with thoughts about each team as it stands now.
NHL News: Odds to Win the Central Division
Team Standings and Odds
| Team | W-L-OTL | Points | Odds |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 24-9-2 | 50 | -170 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 23-8-3 | 49 | +180 |
| Florida Panthers | 23-9-4 | 50 | +750 |
| Nashville Predators | 19-17-1 | 39 | +12500 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 17-15-5 | 39 | +15000 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 14-15-8 | 36 | +15000 |
| Dallas Stars | 11-12-10 | 32 | +25000 |
| Detroit Red Wings | 12-21-4 | 28 | +350000 |
Tampa Bay is rolling along toward another deep playoff run. One area of concern for the Lightning is their propensity for taking penalties; they lead the NHL in penalty minutes per game, averaging over 10. Their penalty kill is also in the top ten in the league, but that could prove costly in a postseason game, when the margins are narrow.
Carolina will welcome the return of Teuvo Teravainen, a winger on their first scoring line. He has spent a considerable amount of time in the concussion protocol and still has no timetable for returning to the ice.
Florida just lost Aaron Ekblad for at least 12 weeks after having to go through leg surgery following a gruesome injury this past weekend. His play on the blue line had him in line for a Norris Trophy consideration, but for now the Panthers’ defensive corps will have to plug along without their leader.
Nashville has seen much better play in net out of Juuse Saros, and as a result they are sniffing around at a playoff spot. They were considering selling at the trade deadline, so they have to ask whether contending would be worthwhile, perhaps from down the standings, or whether it’s time to start stacking up draft picks and young players.
Chicago has started to take on water since the end of February, playing below .500 and sliding further and further out of a chance at the postseason. According to Natural Stat Trick, Chicago is 31st in the NHL in expected goals for percentage when playing five-on-five.
Dallas is still having to get along without Tyler Seguin and Ben Bishop — but they made it to the Cup Finals without Bishop. Their inability to get stops late in games and to turn scoring chances into goals has not abated at all during this season.
Columbus has built its reputation in ironclad defense, but this year they allow the ninth most goals per contest, and their offense has not taken off to compensate. That means more losses — and less chances of shocking someone in the postseason.
Detroit is 11-0-1 when they lead entering the third period. When they are behind going into the third period, they are 0-16-1. The problem is that they don’t have that lead nearly often enough to have much of a shot at contending.
NHL Betting Odds
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