We’re mere days away from the start of the 2024/25 NHL season. Kinda. The first regular season games will be played on October 4th and 5th in Czechia between the Buffalo Sabres and the New Jersey Devils. The rest of the league starts on October 8th. Regardless of the start date, we’ve got our 2024 NHL Division Preview & Betting Guide for you right here.
Ranking | Sportsbook and Casino App | Rating | Welcome Offer | Promo Code | Terms & Conditions |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SGPN's Top Book | Caesars | 4.9 | $1,000 Back in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn’t Win! | No Code Needed | Must be 21 or older and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, or WY. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt.Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY,KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Harrah’s New Orleans),ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine),NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia):If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visitmdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit 1800gambler.net; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXTSTEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800- BETSOFF.©2024, Caesars Entertainment Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER MA:CALL 1-800-327-5050 or visitgamblinghelplinema.org NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) |
2 | BetMGM | 4.8 | Get up to $1500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets | No Code Needed | Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. |
3 | FanDuel | 4.5 | Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets Expires on 2024-10-25T03:59:00.000Z | No Code Needed | Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in select states. Void where prohibited. New Customer only. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Expires on 7/28/2024 at 11:59 PM EST. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, D.C., IA, KS (in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino), KY, LA, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA, VT, WY), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), www.1800gambler.net (WV). |
4 | Underdog Fantasy | 4.9 | Double Your First Deposit Bonus Up To $1000 | No Code Needed | Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. |
Go here for NHL picks!
2024 NHL Division Preview & Betting Guide
Atlantic Division
Florida Panthers +250
Toronto Maple Leafs +325
Tampa Bay Lightning +550
Boston Bruins +650
Ottawa Senators +1600
Detroit Red Wings +1600
Buffalo Sabres +1600
Montreal Canadiens +15000
We start in the home of the reigning Stanley Cup Champions – the Atlantic Division. And, not surprisingly, the champion Florida Panthers are the odds-on favorite to win this division for the second straight year – unfortunately for those who want to bet on them this season, they aren’t closing at +550 for the division like they did last year.
This is probably the NHL’s deepest division, with even the bottom-feeder teams like the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators expected to be improved and on the rise this season. But for the top of the division, this is pretty much a two-horse race between the incumbents and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
While Florida isn’t expected to be as good this season, they’re still my pick to win the Atlantic Division. I just can’t put faith in the Maple Leafs getting the job done despite their roster tinkering, and the always-dangerous Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins seem to be slowly fading away from their eras of dominance. Or you can hedge your bets and play the Panthers and the Leafs to win and still come out on top.
Atlantic Division Winner: Florida Panthers (+250)
Metropolitan Division
New York Rangers +270
Carolina Hurricanes +280
New Jersey Devils +300
New York Islanders +1500
Pittsburgh Penguins +1500
Philadelphia Flyers +2000
Washington Capitals +3000
Columbus Blue Jackets +20000
The NHL’s Metropolitan Division is very much a division of ‘have’ and ‘have not’ teams. The New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, and New Jersey Devils are clearly the cream of the crop, with none of the other eight teams in the division in their stratosphere (and Columbus surely among the worst teams in the whole league).
But which of the Big Three will win the Metropolitan Division this season is the question. I’m going to go with the New Jersey Devils, who much was expected of last season on their way to a disappointing seventh-place finish in the division. But their young talent now has another year of experience under their belts, they’ve upgraded their goalie position, and this team should be gunning to rebound from last year.
Metropolitan Division Winner: New Jersey Devils
Central Division
Dallas Stars +230
Colorado Avalanche +250
Nashville Predators +500
Winnipeg Jets +800
Minnesota Wild +1300
Utah Hockey Club +2500
St. Louis Blues +2500
Chicago Blackhawks +12500
Like the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division, the Western Conference’s Central Division appears to be a two-team race for the divisional title. The Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche have combined to win the division for the past three years, and this season appears to be more of the same.
Once again like the Atlantic Division you probably can guarantee a small profit by putting money on both the Stars and the Avalanche to win the division and feel pretty safe about it (although the Nashville Predators have an outside shot at scuppering those plans). As for my pick, it has to be the Stars to repeat as Central Division champs. They really have no holes and are strong at everything, while the Avalanche and the Predators have some question marks heading into the season.
Central Division Winner: Dallas Stars
Pacific Division
Edmonton Oilers +125
Vegas Golden Knights +450
Vancouver Canucks +500
Los Angeles Kings +800
Seattle Kraken +2000
Calgary Flames +4500
Anaheim Ducks +2000
San Jose Sharks +27500
Finally, we head out west to the Pacific Divison, which unfortunately isn’t too interesting to preview. It’s the Edmonton Oilers division to win, and win it they surely will. Big surprise.
After last year’s Stanley Cup Final heartbreak, you have to expect Connor McDavid and company to be extremely motivated to get over the hump this season and lift the cup. And that starts with winning the Pacific Division for the first time since 1987. Yes, that’s not a typo – it’s been 37 years since Edmonton’s name was on top of the standings at season’s end.
Other than a catastrophic injury to McDavid (knock on wood), I don’t see a scenario where the Oilers don’t snap that ignominious streak this season.
Pacific Division Winner: Edmonton Oilers
If you’d like even more NHL talk, be sure to check out the Hockey Gambling Podcast. The guys are dropping multiple episodes a week to make you the smartest guy at the bar.