The NHL prides itself on being chaotic and having more parity than the other major leagues in North America, but the last few seasons have been lacking in both departments.
Six teams in the Eastern Conference (Rangers, Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, Bruins, Lightning and Panthers) have made the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, and while that number is only four (Oilers, Avalanche, Stars and Kings) in the Western Conference, three more (Predators, Jets and Wild) made it in two of the last three campaigns.
The lack of turnover since the shortened 2020-21 season has lulled most pundits and punters to believe we will see more of the same in 2024-25. But I would urge caution on that.
For the first time in a number of years, the bottom of the NHL does not feature a handful of teams that are actively tanking, and that will automatically raise the floor of the league and make it more competitive, which in turn, makes it more likely we see some chaos.
With the start of the season just days away, let’s come up with a lottery ticket parlay for division winners on FanDuel to see if we can’t take advantage of a possible chaotic season in the NHL.
2024-25 NHL season division-winner parlay (850/1)
- Metropolitan: New Jersey Devils (+230)
- Atlantic: Buffalo Sabres (+1600)
- Central: Dallas Stars (+230)
- Pacific: Vegas Golden Knights (+360)
Odds to win Metropolitan Division
| Team | Odds | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devils | +230 | Penguins | +1100 |
| Hurricanes | +260 | Capitals | +1500 |
| Rangers | +290 | Flyers | +1700 |
| Islanders | +900 | Blue Jackets | 150/1 |
Everybody is picking the Devils for a bounce-back season and there’s no reason to push against the tide.
New Jersey overhauled its goaltending by trading for Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen, but the Devils also brought in some effective supporting players on the blueline in Branden Dillon and Brett Pesce.
Add those players to the core of Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Dougie Hamilton and Jesper Bratt and you have what seems like a pretty good recipe for a massive season in Newark.
Metropolitan pick: Devils (+230)
Odds to win Atlantic Division
| Team | Odds | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panthers | +230 | Senators | +1000 |
| Maple Leafs | +290 | Red Wings | +1300 |
| Lightning | +440 | Sabres | +1600 |
| Bruins | +500 | Canadiens | 100/1 |
Because this is a lottery ticket angle, we need a long shot to juice this ticket and I’ve landed on the Sabres, who have not made the playoffs in 13 years. But the pieces are in place for them to take a massive leap from what was a hugely disappointing showing in 2023-24.
What was most frustrating for the Sabres last season was that they improved defensively but took a sizable step backward offensively, which was supposed to be their calling card. The Sabres finished with 91 points and were expected to push even higher, but they fell flat, which caused everyone to jump ship.
You can’t blame folks for doing that considering how many times Buffalo has fooled us, but this number is long enough to be quite tempting on a team that should score, has a terrific blueline and two emerging goaltenders.
Atlantic pick: Sabres (+1600)
Odds to win Central Division
| Team | Odds | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avalanche | +210 | Jets | +700 |
| Stars | +230 | Utah Hockey Club | 20/1 |
| Predators | +500 | Blues | 20/1 |
| Wild | +700 | Blackhawks | 110/1 |
The Stars have tallied 98, 108 and 113 points in the last three seasons, respectively, and have every chance to improve again in 2024-25.
Miro Heiskanen, Thomas Harley and Esa Lindell anchor a deep blueline, while the forward group is as deep as any team in the league and should only get better with Wyatt Johnston, Logan Stankoven and Mavrik Bourque receiving bigger roles.
Jake Oettinger had a down season in 2024-25, but he is projected to be one of the best netminders in the Western Conference and should give this team the goaltending it needs to contend in the Central.
Central pick: Stars (+230)
Betting on the NHL?
Odds to win Pacific Division
| Team | Odds | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oilers | +115 | Kraken | +1700 |
| Golden Knights | +360 | Flames | 33/1 |
| Canucks | +410 | Ducks | 150/1 |
| Kings | +550 | Sharks | 150/1 |
The Oilers are the shortest favorite in any of the division races, but don’t sleep on Vegas in the Pacific. The Golden Knights were bounced in the first round last spring, but they took the Stars to seven games in that series and were more unfortunate than anything else.
Vegas dealt with injuries up and down the lineup in 2023-24 and will now get a full season with a spine of Jack Eichel, Tomas Hertl and William Karlsson. They’re deep up front, on the blueline and should have decent goaltending with a tandem of Adin Hill and Ilya Samsonov.
The Knights can outrun these odds and top off a parlay that gives us an 850/1 payout.
Pacific pick: Golden Knights (+360)
2024-25 NHL season division-winner parlay (850/1, FanDuel)
- Metropolitan: New Jersey Devils (+230)
- Atlantic: Buffalo Sabres (+1600)
- Central: Dallas Stars (+230)
- Pacific: Vegas Golden Knights (+450)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff handicaps the EPL, NHL, golf and anything else that isn’t the NFL and NBA for the NY Post. He’s up 49.73 units betting EPL with a 7.17% ROI.
