2024-25 NHL Central Division Odds and Predictions

Like the Atlantic Division, the NHL’s Central Division is a deep one with a few legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. The Dallas Stars check in as the early favorites to claim the Central according to NHL oddsmakers, though it’s safe to expect a tight race here in 2024-25.

Dallas could have the Colorado Avalanche and a new-and-improved Nashville Predators breathing down their necks. The Winnipeg Jets – who finished second in the Central last season – could also find themselves in the race once again this term.

Of course, you can’t only bet on which team will go on to win the Central Divison. Bet365 features quite a few betting markets for each team with regard to their outlook for the upcoming campaign. How should we bet on each of the Central’s 8 squads heading into the new season?

2024-25 NHL Central Division Odds

Dallas Stars

• 2023-24 Record: 52-21-9
• Central Division Odds: +190
• Over/Under Points: o103.5 (-110), u103.5 (-110)
• To Make the Playoffs: Yes (-550), No (+375)

The Stars haven’t won a Stanley Cup since their controversial 1999 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, but they’re knocking on the door. Dallas came up just shy of a Finals appearance last season after falling in 6 games to the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Finals. They’re also just four years removed from a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to Tampa Bay back in 2020. 3 WCF appearances in 5 years isn’t too shabby.

Is this the year the Stars finally kick the door down and win it all? Time will tell, but it’s easy to see why they’re favored to win the Central Division for the second straight year. Losing Joe Pavelski to retirement could lead to something of a leadership void, but veterans like Tyler Seguin and the ageless Jamie Benn remain. Dallas also did well to re-sign Matt Duchene, who came over from Nashville prior to the trade deadline last year. In an attempt to bolster the defense, the Stars added Matt Dumba and Ilya Lyubushkin on multi-year free-agent pacts.

Between Seguin, Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, Miro Heiskanen, and Jake Oettinger, Dallas has All-Stars at several different positions. On paper, this is arguably the deepest and most talented team in hockey. Not only are they good value to win the Central at +190, but I’m also bullish on their odds to top 103.5 points at -110.

• Division Odds (+190): As favorites in the division, Dallas offers a solid but relatively modest return. These odds reflect their consistency and depth, and there’s still moderate upside at +190.
• Over/Under 103.5 Points: Dallas finished last season with 108 points. If they maintain their form, betting the over is reasonable, though the number is high, requiring sustained excellence throughout the season. I’m all-in on the over.
• To Make Playoffs (-550): The Stars are virtually a lock to make the postseason. Betting Yes at these odds offers little value, but the No (+375) could be a bold contrarian play if you believe injuries or underperformance could derail their season.

Best Bet: To Win Central Division (+190)

Colorado Avalanche

• 2023-24 Record: 50-25-7
• Central Division Odds: +220
• Over/Under Points: o102.5 (+100), u102.5 (-130)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (-550), No (+375)

The Avalanche had their streak of 3 consecutive division crowns snapped by the Stars in 2023-24. Colorado actually slumped to a third-place finish, though their 107 points still ranked fourth among all Western Conference teams. Colorado won their second-ever Stanley Cup 3 seasons ago, though they fell to their rivals from Dallas in the second round of last year’s postseason.

Reigning Hart Trophy winner Nathan MacKinnon will look to improve upon the finest season of his stellar career. The Halifax native set new career highs in both goals (51) and assists (89) while finishing second in the league to Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov with 140 points.

This season the Avs are banking on continuity on the heels of a fairly quiet summer. Jonathan Drouin is back after putting pen to paper on a one-year deal worth $2.5 million, which will likely prove to be among the bargains of the offseason. Colorado also snagged defender Erik Brannstrom, who set a new career-high with 20 points a season ago for Ottawa. Longtime captain Gabriel Landeskog’s return should provide a boost after he missed all of last season with a knee injury, though the 31-year-old may need time to round back into form. There’s also some uncertainty surrounding veteran Val Nichushkin, whose 2023-24 season ended early due to personal issues.

• Division Odds (+220): Colorado’s odds offer solid value for bettors who believe that last season’s injury woes were an anomaly. If the team stays healthy, they have the potential to reclaim the top spot in the Central.
• Over/Under 102.5 Points: The Avs finished with 109 points last season despite injury issues. If the roster stays intact, betting the Over could be a strong play, especially with the +100 odds.
• To Make Playoffs (-550): Like the Stars, the Avalanche are highly likely to make the playoffs, and while the odds are low, betting against them seems like a long shot.

Best Bet: Over 102.5 Points (+100)

Nashville Predators

• 2023-24 Record: 47-30-5
• Central Division Odds: +333
• Over/Under Points: o99.5 (-115), u99.5 (-105)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (-300), No (+225)

Hopes are high for the Predators in the Music City this season. Nashville has had the most active offseason of any team in hockey, which is why they’re suddenly listed among the favorites to challenge the Stars for the Central Division title.

Nashville made a few major strikes this summer with the additions of Jonathan Marchessault, Steven Stamkos, and Brady Skjei. Marchessault was essential to Vegas’ Stanley Cup run a couple of years ago, while Stamkos is the most prolific player in the Lightning’s history. The two players combined for 82 goals last year, which should provide quite a boost to a Nashville team that scored 269 goals a season ago.

The Preds spent the past couple of years shedding salary in order to clear space, and they’ve used it well this offseason. Whether they can parlay that into a surge in the standings remains to be seen. Nashville finished a respectable fourth in the Central last season and snagged a playoff spot as a wild card. They ultimately fell to Vancouver in a 6-game first-round series.

• Division Odds (+333): The Predators offer decent value at +333 for those who believe their improvements can push them back into the upper tier of the Central Division. However, the team’s inconsistency last year gives me some pause.
• Over/Under 99.5 Points: Nashville finished with 99 points last season, and their improved lineup could push them above to the 100-point mark. However, the under might be the safer bet with the way the odds line up.
• To Make Playoffs (-300): Nashville is expected to return to the playoffs, but their margin for error is slimmer compared to Dallas or Colorado. The “yes” bet is relatively safe, but the +225 for “no” offers high risk, high reward for skeptics.

Best Bet: Over 99.5 Points (-115)

Winnipeg Jets

• 2023-24 Record: 52-24-6
• Central Division Odds: +600
• Over/Under Points: o96.5 (-115), u96.5 (-105)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (-190), No (+155)

It’s been a while since the Jets have won anything of note. While Winnipeg has been a consistent playoff team in recent seasons, they’ve never looked like a legit Stanley Cup threat. Oddsmakers are actually more bearish on them heading into the 2024-25 season, as well.

The Jets’ 2nd-place finish in the Central last year was their best showing in a division since also finishing 2nd back in 2018-19. However, they’ve won just one playoff series since 2017 despite having qualified in all but one of those seasons. They did well last year, so they must be tickets for improvement this season, right!?

Not so fast, my friend. Winnipeg hasn’t done much of anything this offseason, so the front office is quite clearly banking on last season not being a fluke. Last season’s success had much to do with the indomitable Connor Hellebuyck in goal. The Jets surrendered just 199 goals, so they were the stingiest defense in the NHL. They scored just 259 of their own. The plus-60 goal differential was impressive, but the lack of movement this offseason has me concerned that they could be due for some regression in a tough division.

• Division Odds (+600): The Jets offer solid value at +600 for a team that could overachieve, especially with elite goaltending. However, consistency issues could hinder their division-winning chances.
• Over/Under 96.5 Points: Winnipeg accumulated 110 points last season, so the over/under of 96.5 heading into this campaign is quite a dip. The over is tempting considering last season’s success, but it requires belief in the stability of their roster and a continued elite performance from Hellebuyck.
• To Make Playoffs (-190): The Jets have playoff potential, and betting “yes” seems reasonable, but the +155 “no” option offers some value if you believe the lack of offseason changes will negatively impact their upward trajectory.

Best Bet: Jets to Miss the Playoffs (+155)

Minnesota Wild

• 2023-24 Record: 39-33-10
• Central Division Odds: +1200
• Over/Under Points: o94.5 (-130), u94.5 (+100)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (-140), No (+110)

The Wild took a step back in 2023-24. While they finished with a winning record at 39-33-10, it wasn’t enough to qualify for the postseason. Minnesota missed out on the playoffs for the first time since 2018-19 and settled with a 6th-place showing in the Central Division.

Clearly, oddsmakers are a bit more optimistic about the Wild entering the new campaign. Their over/under of 94.5 points is considerably higher than the 87 points they finished with last term. That said, this team is essentially stuck on the treadmill thanks to salary cap constraints caused by the buyouts of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise.

Minnesota’s most noteworthy move of the offseason was the addition of forward Yakov Trenin, who comes over from Colorado on a new 4-year deal. Nothing else the team has done really moves the needle, so I’m not totally sure where the oddsmakers’ optimism is coming from. Could some of the Wild’s young players make a leap and accelerate their track to contention? It’s always possible, especially for a league with as much parity as the NHL has.

• Division Odds (+1200): At +1200, the Wild offer long-shot odds to win the Central. While they’re a good team, their limitations make them a riskier bet for division winners. Hard pass, folks.
• Over/Under 94.5 Points: Minnesota finished with 87 points last season, which was a 16-point drop from 2022-23. While the team remains solid, the under might be a reasonable bet if you believe they will continue to regress due to cap restrictions and lack of depth.
• To Make Playoffs (-140): The Wild might be able to secure a playoff spot, making the “yes” bet attractive at -140. The “no” (+110) could hold value for contrarian bettors expecting a regression.

Best Bet: Wild To Miss the Playoffs (+110)

St. Louis Blues

• 2023-24 Record: 43-33-6
• Central Division Odds: +1600
• Over/Under Points: o86.5 (-110), u86.5 (-110)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (+170), No (-220)

The St. Louis Blues have been among the league’s most consistent teams over the past several decades, but they’ve fallen on tougher times of late. St. Louis has missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, which is the first time that’s happened since 1977-1979. Since winning the Stanley Cup in 2018-19, the Blues haven’t advanced beyond the second round of the postseason.

St. Louis did improve their point total by 11 from 81 to 92 from 2023 to 2024, so perhaps they’re trending back in the right direction. Most expected the team to trade forward Pavel Buchnevich this offseason, but the team wound up instead inking him to a contract extension. That’s a move that should keep them competitive in the interim, but there are still problems.

The Blues’ defense is still mediocre at best, and there’s a chance they regress in the goaltending department. Jordan Binnington’s goals against average (2.84) was a significant improvement upon his marks from the previous two seasons, but I’m not at all convinced he’s in for a repeat performance behind what looks like a very shaky blue line.

• Division Odds (+1600): As heavy underdogs, the Blues’ chances of winning the division are slim, to say the least. Betting on them at these odds carries high risk, and the payout really does not justify the likelihood.
• Over/Under 86.5 Points: The Blues accumulated 92 points last season. That their over/under is lower than that head into this season shows they haven’t really done much to improve their chances this offseason. I like the under on 86.5 points.
• To Make Playoffs (+170): St. Louis could push for a wild card, but their odds reflect the uphill battle they face. The “no” (-220) is more likely, but betting “yes” at +170 could pay off if the veterans find a resurgence.

Best Bet: Under 86.5 Points (-110)

Utah Hockey Club

• 2023-24 Record: 36-41-5
• Central Division Odds: +2000
• Over/Under Points: o88.5 (-130), u88.5 (+100)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (+180), No (-230)

Following years of tumult and uncertainty, the Arizona Coyotes are no more. The franchise officially moved to Salt Lake City this offseason, and they’ll begin the 2024-25 campaign as Utah Hockey Club. The team is in the process of letting fans vote on what the permanent nickname will be, but they’re Utah HC for now.

Arizona went 36-41-5 last season and missed out on playoff contention. This has been a remarkably unsuccessful franchise, with just one playoff appearance since the 2012-13 campaign. The year the Coyotes qualified was the weird Covid season in 2019-20.

On the bright side, the team’s new ownership has committed to spending money in an attempt to reverse the club’s fortune. Signing Sean Durzi to an extension was a nice move, and Utah otherwise completely reshaped its defense by bringing in Ian Cole, Mikhail Sergachev, and John Marino this summer. Needless to say, this blue line looks considerably better than the defense that surrendered 274 goals in 2023-24.

At the very least, Utah should be ticketed for improvement upon last year’s dismal 77-point output. The over/under is all the way up at 88.5. If they go over, that would be the most single-season points the franchise will have recorded in a season since 2013-14. I’d also expect this team to pack its new home arena every single night, which should give the players a shot in the arm from an atmosphere standpoint. Just about anything will be an upgrade over their previous situation in Arizona.

• Division Odds (+2000): At +2000, Utah is not expected to be a serious threat. This long-shot bet offers a hefty reward but with an extremely low chance of paying off. That said, I’m more bullish on Utah HC than I am on St. Louis.
• Over/Under 88.5 Points: Utah finished last season with 77 points, and while they’ve made some improvements, the over on 88.5 feels risky given their overall uncertainty. The Under at +100 might be the safer bet for a rebuilding team.
• To Make Playoffs (+180): Betting “yes” is tempting for optimists, but “no” (-230) is the likelier outcome as the team’s priority remains on growth rather than immediate success.

Best Bet: Under 88.5 Points (+100)

Chicago Blackhawks

• 2023-24 Record: 23-53-6
• Central Division Odds: +9000
• Over/Under Points: o73.5 (-110), u73.5 (-110)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (+850), No (-1600)

The Blackhawks are another once-proud franchise on a rebuilding path. Chicago has had top-2 selections in consecutive drafts, which could put them on the fast track back to contention. After nabbing Conor Bedard in 2023, the Blackhawks attempted to address the defense by taking Artyom Levshunov second overall earlier this summer.

I think Ivan Demidov would’ve been a significantly more exciting prospect to pair with Bedard in attack, but this team had plenty of holes to fill. Chicago finished with a division-worst minus-111 goal differential last season and allowed a whopping 290 goals. Levshunov – who starred collegiately for Michigan State – should help to patch things up assuming he gets a starting job right away.

Adding the rookie wasn’t all they did this offseason. The Blackhawks also added a couple of solid young forwards in free agency in Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen. Bedard can’t do everything on his own, especially considering he just turned 19 years old in July. Bertuzzi and Teravainen give Chicago some much-needed scoring depth. Alec Martinez and Ilya Mikheyev were a couple of other veteran additions.

While I’d be excited for the future if I were a Blackhawks fan, the odds indicate this team is still a long way from challenging the likes of the Stars or the Avalanche atop the Central Division. We’re likely headed for another long, cold winter in the Windy City.

• Division Odds (+9000): With these odds, it’s clear that Chicago is not expected to contend for the division. Betting on them would be an extremely high-risk, low-probability play.
• Over/Under 73.5 Points: The Blackhawks finished with a pathetic 52 points last season, which was actually worse than their 53-point output from a couple of seasons ago. While Bedard’s continued development could provide a spark, the team’s overall lack of depth makes the under on 73.5 more appealing at this point in their rebuild.
• To Make Playoffs (+850): Betting “yes” is for the most optimistic of fans, but “no” (-1600) is essentially a lock. The massive payout for Yes doesn’t justify the near-impossible outcome.

Best Bet: Under 73.5 Points (-110)