The National Hockey League went through a one-time realignment for the 2020-21 season due to the health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canadian government has instituted regulations making travel back and forth with the United States difficult because of the higher rate of spread south of the border. In the case of the NBA, which only has one Canadian team, the Toronto Raptors had to move their home games to Tampa, Florida, for the season. In the NHL, though, there are seven teams based in Canada, so the league divided into four divisions, with the North Division consisting only of Canadian franchises. Play for 2020-21 only takes place against divisional opponents to reduce travel; teams often play each other twice before moving on to their next opponent to reduce travel even further. So this season we have teams who, in normal years, rarely see each other because they are in different conferences, playing each other frequently.
If you think you have an edge with NHL sports betting on futures, take a look at the latest NHL odds to win each division, as well as our thoughts on each of the four races.
NHL News: Updated Odds to Win Each Division
| East Division | Odds |
| N.Y. Islanders | +225 |
| Boston Bruins | +250 |
| Washington Capitals | +400 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | +500 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | +550 |
| N.Y. Rangers | +5000 |
| New Jersey Devils | +10000 |
| Buffalo Sabres | +30000 |
| Central Division | Odds |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | -175 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +275 |
| Florida Panthers | +400 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | +3000 |
| Dallas Stars | +5000 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +8000 |
| Detroit Red Wings | +50000 |
| Buffalo Sabres | +30000 |
| West Division | Odds |
| Vegas Golden Knights | -115 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +195 |
| Minnesota Wild | +500 |
| St. Louis Blues | +900 |
| L.A. Kings | +2500 |
| Arizona Coyotes | +3000 |
| Anaheim Ducks | +5000 |
| San Jose Sharks | +5000 |
| West Division | Odds |
| Vegas Golden Knights | -115 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +195 |
| Minnesota Wild | +500 |
| St. Louis Blues | +900 |
| L.A. Kings | +2500 |
| Arizona Coyotes | +3000 |
| Anaheim Ducks | +5000 |
| San Jose Sharks | +5000 |
North Notes
The Toronto Maple Leafs seem to have turned a real corner this season. Their defense has improved dramatically, thanks in large part to improved goaltending. Behind Frederik Andersen and Jack Campbell, the team has seen its save percentage at even strength jump from 25th a year ago to second in the NHL at this point of the season. When your goalie can bail you out, that makes a huge difference.
Winnipeg is getting another big jolt out of the play of Paul Stastny, who came back in the off-season to nail down the center position on the second scoring line, and he has kept that impact going even after moving to a wing.
Central Considerations
Tampa Bay won the Stanley Cup a year ago and they show now signs of slowing down. Andrei Vasilevskiy continues to dominate Vezina Trophy conversation in net, but one under-the-radar hero has been Ondrej Palat. He has had the first goal in a game on six different occasions this year, making him first in that stat. Getting that first goal can be huge in building momentum and motivation.
Carolina has come out of nowhere to mount a scary offense right now. Vincent Trocheck has 13 goals in 24 games, and his coach, Rod Brind’Amour might have put it best: “You don’t expect him to score at this rate, but we’ll take it for as long as we can.”
West Wonderings
Vegas has to be kicking themselves after losing to Dallas in the Western Conference finals a year ago, after watching the Stars quail against Tampa Bay in the Cup Finals and then fall off the table this season. Even so, they’re right back after it, thanks in large part to the play of Max Pacioretty. He has 12 goals on the season; three of them have been game-winners in overtime. He is averaging the top points and goals per game rates for his career now.
Minnesota is getting stellar play out of goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen. In his last seven starts, he has a perfect 7-0-0 record, with a .947 save percentage and a 1.42 GAA. One of those wins came against West-leading Vegas and was the first shutout of his career.
Colorado has not been able to move up the standings with much consistency, but they also haven’t fallen into slumps as they have seven wins in nine games coming after a loss the previous game.
East Enotes
The New York Islanders lead the most competitive of the four divisions, and while they have a defensive mindset, they have generated more high danger chances at even strength than any other NHL team.
Washington has the sixth-best power play in the NHL (26.2% scoring rate) — but on the road, it’s only cashed in 3 times in 32 chances (9.4%).
NHL Betting Odds
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