2024-25 NHL Atlantic Division Odds and Predictions

The 2024-25 NHL season gets underway in October. We’re here to preview the upcoming campaign from a betting standpoint in order to give you, dear reader, the insight you need to place some profitable NHL preseason futures bets. Once the season starts, we’ll also have daily NHL picks for each game.

The regular season is an 82-game marathon that’ll feature no shortage of twists and turns. Injuries will play an unfortunate role, as always, in how things ultimately play out. Today, let’s take a gander at the Atlantic Division, which features the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

Per the latest NHL odds, Florida is predictably favored to win the division again this year. That said, there are enough futures markets available to where you can find value in betting on any of the Atlantic’s 8 teams if you know where to look. In this space, I’ll give you my favorite value bet for each team in the division. We’ll be looking at odds to win the Atlantic, over/under point totals, and odds to make the playoffs for each squad.

2024-25 NHL Atlantic Division Odds

NHL Team	Atlantic Division Odds	O/U Points	To Make Playoffs
Florida Panthers	+190	Over 102.5 (-110) Under 102.5 (-110)	Yes (-500) No (+350)
Toronto Maple Leafs	+300	Over 101.5 (-115) Under 101.5 (-105)	Yes (-370) No (+270)
Tampa Bay Lightning	+450	Over 98.5 (-105) Under 98.5 (-115)	Yes (-230) No (+180)
Boston Bruins	+450	Over 99.5 (-105) Under 99.5 (-115)	Yes (-210) No (+165)
Detroit Red Wings	+1100	Over 90.5 (-110) Under 90.5 (-110)	Yes (+130) No (-160)
Ottawa Senators	+1100	Over 90.5 (-105) Under 90.5 (-115)	Yes (+110) No (-140)
Buffalo Sabres	+1300	Over 88.5 (-110) Under 88.5 (-110)	Yes (+165) No (-210)
Montreal Canadiens	+7500	Over 76.5 (-130) Under 76.5 (+100)	Yes (+550) No (-900)

Florida Panthers

• 2023-24 Record: 52-24-6
• Atlantic Division Odds: +190
• Over/Under Points: o102.5 (-110), u102.5 (-110)
• To Make the Playoffs: Yes (-500), No (+350)

The Panthers enter the 2024-25 season as slight favorites to take the Atlantic Division crown, fresh off a championship playoff run in 2023-24. Florida has represented the Eastern Conference in back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, and they’re favored to do so again this year.

The Panthers’ core remains intact. Matthew Tkachuk and Andrew Barkov are two of the league’s most dangerous attackers, and Florida retained crucial forward Sam Reinhart on a new 8-year deal this offseason. The team did lose a few rotation players to free agency, but oddsmakers are still quite bullish on their chances to win the Atlantic Division for the third time in the last 4 years.

Keeping Reinhart was the most important move the Panthers could’ve made this season. Finally winning a Stanley Cup last season should provide the team with an emotional lift, though they also run the risk of getting complacent after reaching the mountaintop a season ago.

Let’s take a quick look at each of the 3 futures betting options with regard to the Panthers.

• Division Odds (+190): With their recent playoff success and depth, Florida’s short odds reflect their status as favorites. However, the short +190 odds may not be ideal for bettors looking for more bang for their buck.
• Over/Under 102.5 Points: The Panthers finished last season with 110 points, and they’ve accrued at least 92 points in each of the last 3 years. They may take a slight step back this season, but the over on 102.5 points looks very attainable.
• To Make Playoffs (-500): These odds reflect high confidence in the Panthers reaching the postseason, but the payout is minimal. The No (+350) option might offer intrigue if you think injuries may derail their season entirely.

Toronto Maple Leafs

• 2023-24 Record: 46-26-10
• Atlantic Division Odds: +300
• Over/Under Points: o101.5 (-115), u101.5 (-105)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (-370), No (+270)

The Maple Leafs have been among the NHL’s most dominant regular-season teams in recent years, but playoff success has proven elusive. Of course, we’re only concerned about regular-season performance for the purposes of these bets. If you want our take on the Maple Leafs’ championship odds, check out our Stanley Cup odds breakdown.

The Atlantic has been an awfully strong division. Despite Toronto’s aforementioned success, the Leafs haven’t won this division…ever. The franchise’s last real division title came back in 1999-00 when the now-defunct Northeast Division still existed. They’ve qualified for the playoffs in each of the last 8 seasons, yet haven’t represented the East in the Stanley Cup Finals since 1967. LBJ was the US president that year.

You can’t question the talent here, though. Auston Matthews is among the best players in the sport, while Mitchell Marner has been a reliable sidekick for quite a while now. The issue is the lack of depth beyond them, particularly in the scoring department. Toronto also lost Tyler Bertuzzi – who supplied 21 goals and 22 assists last season – to Chicago in free agency.

How should we bet on the Leafs this season?

• Division Odds (+300): Toronto is usually a safe bet to perform well in the regular season, but their division odds reflect some hesitation based on their inconsistency down the stretch last year. There’s value here at +300 if you believe they’ve improved defensively and in goal.
• Over/Under 101.5 Points: Toronto has surpassed 100 regular-season points in each of the last 3 campaigns, including a 102-point showing a season ago. They have the talent to repeat or even surpass that total, but much depends on staying healthy and avoiding late-season collapses. The over on 101.5 points this season looks reasonable enough, even with the -115 juice.
• To Make Playoffs (-370): Another low-value bet, but a reliable one. The Leafs’ talent ensures they’re a near lock for a playoff spot barring any major upsets.

Tampa Bay Lightning

• 2023-24 Record: 45-29-8
• Atlantic Division Odds: +450
• Over/Under Points: o98.5 (-105), u98.5 (-115)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (-230), No (+180)

The Lightning are still very much a contender despite starting to feel the effects of the salary cap. The Lightning let franchise centerpiece Steven Stamkos walk in free agency this offseason in order to sign Jake Guentzel. away from the Hurricanes. Guentzel is 5 years younger than Stamkos, and he’s fresh off of a terrific campaign in which he racked up 77 points between Pittsburgh and Carolina. This move was an attempt by the front office to keep Tampa Bay’s Stanley Cup window open.

Andrei Vasilevskiy remains one of the top goalies in the world, while Nikita Kucherov (44 goals, 100 assists last season) is still at the peak of his powers. This team may not be as dominant as it was during its back-to-back title seasons in 2021 and 2022, but the top end of the roster still has talent.

The real question for the Lightning is whether they have the depth to survive potential injuries over the course of the 82-game marathon.

• Division Odds (+450): Tampa Bay at these +450 odds provides decent value if you believe their experience can lead them back to the top of the division. However, their recent decline suggests caution.
• Over/Under 98.5 Points: The Lightning are fresh off of consecutive 98-point seasons. The under is juiced to -115.
• To Make Playoffs (-230): Still heavily favored to make the playoffs, but the drop-off from their once-dominant form could mean they are closer to a wild card than a divisional spot.

Boston Bruins

• 2023-24 Record: 47-20-15
• Atlantic Division Odds: +450
• Over/Under Points: o99.5 (-105), u99.5 (-115)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (-210), No (+165)

The Bruins had a historic regular season in 2022-23 with 135 points but crashed out of the playoffs in the very first round. The team predictably took a massive step back a season ago following Patrice Bergeron’s retirement. While Boston did actually manage to win a playoff series this time, the Bruins won 18 fewer games than they did during that record-breaking previous season.

Boston’s had a so-so offseason. Elias Lindstrom and Nikita Zadorov both signed with the Bruins after previously playing together in Calgary and Vancouver. While both players address certain needs, Boston may have needlessly overpaid for both players. The Zadorov contract (6 years, $30 million) looks particularly questionable for a soon-to-be 30-year-old defenseman.

Boston has also made a switch in goal by trading Linas Ullmark to Ottaway in exchange for Joonas Korpisalo. This looks like a clear downgrade on paper, so Boston has the look of a team slowly trending in the wrong direction.

• Division Odds (+450): Despite the loss of a few veterans, Boston’s overall depth and defensive core led by Charlie McAvoy keep them in the conversation for the division title. Their +450 odds to win the division offer some upside if they can bounce back.
• Over/Under 99.5 Points: Given their recent success, the over might seem tempting. But with key leadership gone, betting the under could be the safer choice if you expect a regression.
• To Make Playoffs (-210): Boston should still make the playoffs, but their chances aren’t as guaranteed as they were last year, and the “no” (+165) option might offer some contrarian value.

Detroit Red Wings

• 2023-24 Record: 41-32-9
• Atlantic Division Odds: +1100
• Over/Under Points: o90.5 (-110), u90.5 (-110)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (+130), No (-160)

Detroit is on the rise, with young stars like Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond leading the charge, alongside offseason additions like Alex DeBrincat. The Red Wings are looking to break their playoff drought, but still face tough competition in the division.

The once-dominant franchise has fallen on tough times in recent seasons. Detroit hasn’t made the playoffs since way back in 2015-16, which is hard to fathom given the team’s incredibly storied history. Last year was the first time since that last playoff showing that the Wings managed to finish with a winning record, so the future is finally looking bright here once again.

Despite their improved record, the Red Wings’ defense was still awfully leaky. Detroit yielded 274 goals a season ago, yet nothing GM Steve Yzerman did this offseason really addressed that area of weakness. Instead, Detroit kept veteran Patrick Kane and signed Vladimir Tarasenko after he helped the Panthers lift the Cup last season.

The Red Wings appear to be headed in the right direction, but let’s not forget they only had a plus-4 goal differential last term. Shipping key defender Jake Walman to San Jose doesn’t instill a whole lot of confidence in me that they’ll suddenly improve defensively, either.

• Division Odds (+1100): At +1100, the Red Wings are long shots to win the division, but there’s plenty of value here if you believe in their potential to surprise.
• Over/Under 90.5 Points: Detroit finished with 91 points last season and just missed out on the postseason. The Over is within reach if they can somehow improve that shoddy defense.
• To Make Playoffs (+130): This is where the real betting value lies. At +130, there’s a solid chance the Red Wings could sneak into the postseason if they continue to develop as expected.

Ottawa Senators

• 2023-24 Record: 37-41-4
• Atlantic Division Odds: +1100
• Over/Under Points: o90.5 (-105), u90.5 (-115)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (+110), No (-140)

The Senators are lurking and looking like a team on the verge of breaking out, with young stars like Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stützle leading the way. The addition of the aforementioned veteran Linas Ullmark in net should help stabilize their goaltending situation, but the Sens need to prove they can consistently perform at a high level if they want to make some noise in a very crowded and talented Atlantic Division.

As is the case with the Red Wings, it’s been a minute since the Senators have tasted playoff hockey. Ottawa hasn’t cracked the postseason field since 2016-17 when they racked up 98 points and finished in second place in this division. The team hasn’t finished better than 6th in the Atlantic ever since, including a 7th-place showing a season ago. Ottawa totaled just 78 points in another middling campaign.

Ottawa admitted defeat on the Jakob Chychrun deal by trading him to Washington, though the return – Nick Jensen and a 3rd-rounder – was hardly worth getting excited over. If you’re optimistic about the Senators this season, you’re essentially banking on Ullmark being a transformative enough presence in goal to help lift the team back over the .500 mark. As terrific as the Swede is, I’m not sure one netminder will be enough to cure what ails the Senators as a whole.

• Division Odds (+1100): Ottawa has potential, but at these odds, they’re still a very long shot to win the Atlantic. If everything clicks, though, they could be a dark horse.
• Over/Under 90.5 Points: Ottawa finished with 78 points last season, and the over/under of 90.5 this year indicates oddsmakers have fairly high hopes for improvement. The under offers solid value if you expect more of the same, however.
• To Make Playoffs (+110): Ottawa making the playoffs is a possibility, though “no” is still the favorite at -140. I’d prefer more value on the “yes” side in order for me to pull the trigger.

Buffalo Sabres

• 2022-23 Record: 39-37-6
• Atlantic Division Odds: +1300
• Over/Under Points: o88.5 (-110), u88.5 (-110)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (+165), No (-210)

The Sabres are yet another also-ran in a top-heavy division. We haven’t see Buffalo in a Stanley Cup Playoff game since 2010-11, so we’re talking about more than a decade of mediocre hockey in Western New York.

Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin headline a squad that missed the playoffs yet again last season. Dahlin totaled 59 points across 81 games, which was a bit of a step back from his 73-point campaign a couple of seasons ago. Thompson, meanwhile, finished with 38 fewer points than he did in 2022-23, though he did battle some injuries. Buffalo entered last season with high hopes, yet they didn’t come close to living up to those expectations.

The Sabres had money to spend in the free-agent market, yet they spent most of the offseason losing talent and replacing it with replacement-level backups. Jeff Skinner is now in Edmonton after a contract buyout, while Victor Olofsson and Zemgus Zucker skipped town as free agents.

There are some building blocks for Buffalo in defense. I think this team is better than it showed last season, but their dismal performance last season is making it difficult for me to buy the Sabres as potential dark horses to steal the Atlantic. The value lies in betting on Buffalo to punch a playoff ticket as a wild card.

• Division Odds (+1300): The Sabres are long shots for a reason, but if you’re looking for a high-risk, high-reward bet, Buffalo could be worth a small stake. I’d pass.
• Over/Under 88.5 Points: Buffalo took a step back with 84 points last season after totaling 91 in 2022-23. Their young core only stands to improve. The Over looks like a decent bet here if you want to take a stab at a bounce-back.
• To Make Playoffs (+165): At +165 to make the playoffs, this bet offers intriguing upside for a team that could finally put it all together.

Montreal Canadiens

• 2022-23 Record: 30-36-16
• Atlantic Division Odds: +7500
• Over/Under Points: o76.5 (-130), u 76.5 (+100)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (+550, No (-900)

The Canadiens are one of the NHL’s proudest franchises with 24 Stanley Cup titles to their name. Montreal has also won 24 division titles and 8 conference championships. The Canadiens went to the Stanley Cup Finals back in 2020-21, where they ultimately fell at the hands of the Lightning in the weird Covid bubble season.

Montreal hasn’t cracked the playoff field in the 3 years since that Cinderella run, however. They haven’t won more than 31 games in any season, and their minus-53 goal differential in 2023-24 was the 2nd-worst mark among Eastern Conference squads. Only the woeful Blue Jackets (minus-63) had a worse differential.

Rather than splashing cash on the free-agent market looking to improve their short-term outlook, the Canadiens have opted to play the long game this offseason. Montreal got a gift when Ivan Demidov fell into their laps with the No. 5 overall pick in the NHL Draft earlier this summer, as he could’ve easily gone as high as No. 2. The Canadiens also inked Juraf Slafkovsky to a massive new contract that’ll keep him in town for another 8 years. Slafkovsky scored 20 goals with 30 assists as a 2nd-year pro a season ago, so Montreal is all-in on the 20-year-old’s ultimate potential.

Overall, though the Canadiens are still deep in a rebuild. The team does have a couple of potential centerpieces in the fold, so improvement likely isn’t too far off. Montreal has the lowest point total over/under by a huge margin of any Atlantic Division team, however, so we’re likely looking at another last-place finish for the Canadiens.

• Division Odds (+7500): The Canadiens are massive underdogs for a reason. A division win is virtually out of reach, even for the most optimistic fans.
• Over/Under 76.5 Points: Montreal finished last season with 76 points. While they’ve made some strides, betting the over at 76.5 might be optimistic given the incredible depth in the Atlantic Division. The even-money value on the under looks appealing.
• To Make Playoffs (+550): Montreal making the playoffs would require a minor miracle. The No (-900) option is nearly guaranteed, but the massive odds make it unappealing as an actual betting option.