2024-25 NHL Metropolitan Division Odds and Predictions

The 2024-25 NHL season is just around the corner, and we’re here to break down the Metropolitan Division from a betting perspective. If you’re looking for insight to help you place some profitable NHL bets, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll analyze each team’s odds of winning the division, over/under point totals, and chances of making the playoffs.

The Metropolitan Division is one of the most competitive divisions in the NHL, with teams like the New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes, and New York Rangers leading the charge. As always, injuries and team dynamics will shape the season, but we’ll give you the best betting angles for each team based on the latest odds.

Let’s take a deep dive into the Metropolitan Division’s top contenders and value picks.

2024-25 NHL Metropolitan Division Odds

New Jersey Devils

• 2023-24 Record: 38-39-5
• Division Odds: +230
• Over/Under Points: o100.5 (-125), u100.5 (-105)
• To Make the Playoffs: Yes (-400), No (+300)

The New Jersey Devils enter the 2024-25 season as the favorites to win the Metropolitan Division, which is a bit surprising for a team that finished second to last a season ago. What gives?

Well, New Jersey made one of the biggest moves of the offseason in nabbing netminder Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames via trade. Best of all, all the Devils had to send back to Calgary was a defenseman and a future first-round pick. Goaltending was the Devils’ most glaring need, and they filled it in a big way.

New Jersey also signed defenseman Brett Pesce away from the Hurricanes. Not only does that further boost their own defense, but they weakened a fellow division contender in the process.

The Devils have only qualified for the playoffs once in the last 6 years, but they likely would’ve won more than 38 games last year were it not for injuries. This team was fatally bitten by the injury bug with the likes of Jack Hughes, Dougie Hamilton, and Nico Hischier all missing significant time.

At +230 odds to win the division, the Devils are slight favorites, and there’s good reason for that. Their lineup boasts depth across all four lines, and their top-end talent can compete with the best in the league. The team’s offseason moves, including acquiring veteran support and shoring up their defense, only make them stronger. However, the Devils’ success largely depends on staying healthy, particularly for players like Hughes, who played just 62 games last season after posting a career-high 99 points in 2022-23.

• Division Odds (+230): The Devils are slight favorites to win the division, thanks to their young talent and depth. These odds reflect their rising status but may not offer significant value for bettors seeking a bigger return.
• Over/Under 100.5 Points: Coming off a disappointing season, the Devils have the firepower to exceed 100 points again. The over on 100.5 points looks like a strong play, though the -125 odds carry some juice. Do the Devils have a 55.6% chance to rack up at least 101 points?
• To Make Playoffs (-400): These odds indicate strong confidence in the Devils making the postseason, but the payout is minimal. A Yes bet is almost a lock unless they face major injury setbacks.

Best Bet: Over 100.5 Points (-125)

New York Rangers

• 2023-24 Record: 55-23-4
• Division Odds: +250
• Over/Under Points: o100.5 (-115), u100.5 (-115)
• To Make the Playoffs: Yes (-350), No (+270)

The New York Rangers are entering the 2024-25 season with high expectations after winning the division last year with 114 points. Their core group, led by Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Adam Fox, remains one of the most talented in the league. With Igor Shesterkin in goal, the Rangers boast one of the league’s best netminders, who can steal games when needed.

New York advanced to the conference finals for the 2nd time in the last 3 years last season, but they failed in another quest to qualify for the Stanley Cup Finals. The Rangers fell in 6 games to the eventual champion Florida Panthers. Unfortunately, the Rangers haven’t done much this offseason to improve their chances.

The Rangers needed to bolster their defense in front of Shesterkin, but they haven’t done so. The team is also desperately seeking to trade Jacob Trouba, but they haven’t found any takers for his ugly contract. Trouba also has a no-trade clause, so even if they did find an interested suitor he would have the power to blow it up.

New York’s +250 division odds reflect the tight competition at the top of the Metropolitan Division, with the Devils and Hurricanes also being strong contenders. The Rangers’ success will depend on whether their offense can find consistent secondary scoring behind their top line. This team is heavily reliant on Shesterkin, and they’ll be in deep trouble if he goes down at any point with an injury.

With an over/under set at 100.5 points, bettors should lean towards the over. The Rangers have easily surpassed 100 points in the last 3 seasons, and with Shesterkin’s ability to keep them in every game, they should have no problem hitting that mark again. The best value bet here is to take the over on their points total, as their combination of offensive firepower and defensive stability makes them one of the more balanced teams in the NHL.

• Division Odds (+250): The Rangers are close behind the Devils and Hurricanes in the division race. With solid goaltending and depth, they offer good value at +250 if they can outpace their rivals.
• Over/Under 100.5 Points: The Rangers surpassed 100 points last season, and their consistency suggests they can do it again. At -115, both the over and under have fair value depending on how confident you are in their ability to stay healthy.
• To Make Playoffs (-350): The Rangers are almost a lock for the playoffs, with their strong roster depth and elite goaltending. However, the low payout might not entice bettors unless paired with another wager.

Best Bet: Over 100.5 Points (-115)

Carolina Hurricanes

• 2023-24 Record: 52-23-7
• Division Odds: +250
• Over/Under Points: o100.5 (-115), u100.5 (-115)
• To Make the Playoffs: Yes (-350), No (+270)

The Carolina Hurricanes are a perennial force in the Metropolitan Division, finishing with at least 111 points in each of the last 3 seasons, including a 111-point effort in 2023-24.

Led by a deep and talented roster, including players like Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, and Brent Burns, the Hurricanes play a relentless, high-pressure style of hockey that wears down opponents. Under head coach Rod Brind’Amour, Carolina has become one of the most consistent teams in the league, with a defense-first approach that stifles opposition offenses.

Unfortunately, that hasn’t translated into a title since the Canes lifted the Stanley Cup way back in 2005-06. This team has qualified for the playoffs in every season since 2018, and they’ve won at least one playoff series in every single one of those years, as well.

At +250 odds, the Hurricanes are co-favorites to win the division alongside the Rangers and Devils. Carolina’s style of play makes them a tough matchup for any team, as they are capable of dominating puck possession and playing tight defensive hockey. They have lost a few pieces this summer, however, including Pesce and Teuvo Teravainen. It remains to be seen whether new additions Sean Walker and Shayne Gostisbehere will make up for the loss of Pesce to New Jersey.

Their depth at forward is a question, and the loss of Teravainen could prove costly. Goaltending has also occasionally been a question mark for the Hurricanes, with Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta both showing inconsistency in recent seasons.

The over/under on points is set at 100.5, and the Hurricanes have consistently been a team that can surpass this threshold. Their disciplined style of play and ability to control games make the over a strong bet, especially considering their recent track record. The Canes should have no problem securing another playoff berth, and with their sights set on the Stanley Cup, they could very well be the team to beat in the division.

• Division Odds (+250): At +250, the Hurricanes offer solid value for bettors looking for a team that consistently competes at the top of the standings. Carolina has all the pieces to challenge for the division title.
• Over/Under 100.5 Points: With 111 points last year, the Canes have proven they can exceed 100 points regularly. The over is a solid bet, as they’ve shown little sign of slowing down.
• To Make Playoffs (-350): Carolina is a safe bet to make the playoffs, barring any major injury disasters. The low payout reflects high confidence in their ability to secure a postseason spot.

Best Bet: Over 100.5 Points (-115)

New York Islanders

• 2023-24 Record: 39-27-16
• Division Odds: +1200
• Over/Under Points: o91.5 (-115), u91.5 (-115)
• To Make the Playoffs: Yes (-105), No (-125)

The New York Islanders are coming off a season where they narrowly secured a playoff berth, finishing with 94 points. With a defensive-minded approach under head coach Patrick Roy and one of the league’s best goaltenders in Ilya Sorokin, the Islanders remain a competitive team in the Metropolitan Division.

However, their struggles on offense have limited their ability to challenge for the division title, and they enter the 2024-25 season with +1200 odds to win the division—a clear underdog. The Isles haven’t won a division title since 1987-88, though they have been a consistent playoff presence in recent years.

The Islanders’ strength lies in their defense and goaltending. Sorokin is a Vezina Trophy-caliber netminder who can single-handedly win games for New York, and the Islanders play a tight-checking style that emphasizes limiting opponent scoring chances.

However, offensive production remains a significant concern. The team relies heavily on Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson for scoring, but the lack of consistent secondary scoring options has hampered their ability to compete with the division’s top teams. The Islanders did make a big move by signing Anthony Duclair to a nice deal. At the very least, he should add to their goal-scoring depth after contributing 24 goals last year between stops in San Jose and Tampa Bay.

With an over/under set at 91.5 points, the Islanders are in a tough spot. They’ll likely need to scratch and claw their way into the playoffs again this year, but with Sorokin in net, the over seems like a reasonable bet. They’ve topped that mark in each of the last 2 seasons. The Islanders’ playoff hopes will largely depend on whether their offense can improve enough to support their elite defense, but they are certainly a team capable of overachieving with the right bounces.

• Division Odds (+1200): The Islanders are a long shot to win the division, and rightfully so, given their offensive limitations. At +1200, these odds reflect the challenge they face in competing with the top teams in the Metropolitan.
• Over/Under 91.5 Points: With Sorokin in net, the Islanders should be able to stay competitive and hover around the 90-point mark. The over might be worth a look if you believe their defense can carry them again.
• To Make Playoffs (-105): The Islanders are on the playoff bubble, and their odds reflect that. Sorokin can keep them in the hunt, but they’ll need to find more offense to make the postseason for the second straight year.

Best Bet: To Make the Playoffs (-105)

Pittsburgh Penguins

• 2023-24 Record: 38-32-12
• Division Odds: +1400
• Over/Under Points: o90.5 (-115), u90.5 (-115)
• To Make the Playoffs: Yes (+120), No (-150)

The Pittsburgh Penguins are entering a transitional phase, as their veteran core led by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang continues to age. Despite their 88-point finish last season, Pittsburgh failed to make the playoffs, marking the end of an era for the team. That’s now consecutive seasons in which Pittsburgh has missed the playoffs after qualifying in every year between 2006 and 2022.

The Penguins have made a few moves this offseason, but they haven’t done much to improve their short-term prospects ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. In fact, nothing they’ve done will make them look like a more formidable side next season. Pittsburgh traded Reilly Smith for a future 2nd-round pick, and they also took on the remainder of the Kevin Hayes contract in order to nab another 2nd-round pick from the Blues.

Even with those aging veterans on the roster, the Penguins are behaving like a rebuilding squad. The next logical step would seem to be trading some of those vets to contenders while they still have some value, but they’ve been reluctant to part ways with those franchise icons.

At +1400 to win the division, the Penguins are long shots, but they shouldn’t be entirely written off. If their top players can stay healthy and Karlsson adds the offensive punch from the back end that he’s known for, the Penguins could surprise. Crosby and Malkin still play at an elite level, and Erk Karlsson’s offensive instincts should open up opportunities on the power play, which struggled last year. Goaltending remains a question mark, though, with Tristan Jarry needing to stay healthy and consistent for the Penguins to have a shot.

With an over/under set at 90.5 points, bettors should lean towards the under. While Pittsburgh has the talent to surpass that number, the lack of depth and injury concerns make it a risky proposition. The Penguins’ playoff hopes are very much alive, but they’ll need a lot to go right in what promises to be a tightly contested division.

• Division Odds (+1400): At +1400, the Penguins are long shots to win the division. Their aging core, led by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, still has potential, but the competition in the Metropolitan will make this a tough bet to cash.
• Over/Under 90.5 Points: Pittsburgh has the talent to surpass 90 points if everything goes right, but injuries and depth concerns could make the under more appealing. This one is a toss-up based on the Penguins’ ability to stay healthy.
• To Make Playoffs (+120): The Penguins are far from a lock to make the playoffs, but the addition of Karlsson and their veteran leadership give them a fighting chance. At +120, this could be a decent value bet if you believe they can bounce back.

Best Bet: Under 90.5 Points (-115)

Washington Capitals

• 2023-24 Record: 40-31-11
• Division Odds: +1800
• Over/Under Points: o89.5 (-120), u89.5 (-110)
• To Make the Playoffs: Yes (+155), No (-190)

The Washington Capitals are a team in flux as they enter the 2024-25 season. With aging stars like Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Bäckström, Washington is at a crossroads between trying to contend and rebuilding for the future. Last season, they narrowly made the playoffs after missing out for the first time in a decade 2 years ago.

They finished with 11 more points than they did in 2022-23, but it seems more luck-based than anything else. How the Caps managed to post a winning record despite a goal differential of negative-37 will be one of the great modern mysteries. Washington finished 3 points ahead of Pittsburgh in the standings despite the Penguins actually posting a plus-4 goal differential. Madness, if you ask me.

Washington sent goaltender Darcy Kuemper to LA in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois. Logan Thompson appears primed to take over in net, while the Caps made a few other shrewd additions in Matt Roy, Andrew Mangiapane, and Jakob Chychrun. On paper, this team looks significantly better than the group that luck-boxed its way into the postseason a year ago. As a result, you could say oddsmakers are undervaluing their chances.

The Dubois gamble is a wise one. He looked dreadful last season with the Kings, but he’s still only 26 and a change of scenery should do him some good. The 40 points he posted last season were his fewest in a full season.

The Capitals will still rely heavily on the aging Ovechkin, who still posted 76 points last season despite having as much grey hair as Joe Biden. The supporting cast around him is deeper than in previous years, though injuries to key players like Bäckström and T.J. Oshie have slowed down the team’s overall performance.

With an over/under set at 89.5 points, the over seems like a smart bet. Washington has had one of the best offseasons of any team. While their performance last season was a clear outlier, they should still be good enough to nudge their way into the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.

• Division Odds (+1800): At +1800, the Capitals are a long shot to win the division. Their struggles last season, coupled with an aging core, make them unlikely contenders for the top spot in the Metropolitan.
• Over/Under 89.5 Points: They surpassed 89.5 points last season with luck on their side, but they got better this offseason.
• To Make Playoffs (+155): Washington was a fringe playoff team last season, but they’ve improved this year. I love the plus-money value here.

Best Bet: To Make the Playoffs (+155)

Philadelphia Flyers

• 2023-24 Record: 38-33-11
• Division Odds: +2000
• Over/Under Points: o85.5 (-115), u85.5 (-115)
• To Make the Playoffs: Yes (+200), No (-250)

The Philadelphia Flyers are in the midst of a full-scale rebuild under new management. After a dismal 75-point season 2 years ago, Philly improved by 12 points in 2023-24. The Flyers have signaled a new direction for the franchise, focusing on developing young talent and acquiring draft capital.

So far, the rebuild is going swimmingly, and the franchise is optimistic about the potential for a playoff finish for the first time since 2019-20. Philadelphia is yet another team that finished with a better goal differential than Washington (minus-26), and they could stand to improve their scoring output if they want to take the next step.

Unfortunately, they haven’t maneuvered this offseason like a team with plans of contending. In fact, they almost seem resigned to the notion that they’ll likely regress. Former first-round pick Matvei Michkov will arrive this season from the KHL, which could be huge. Michkov has superstar potential, and the Flyers need as much star power as they can get their hands (wings?) on.

The Flyers’ roster is a mix of veteran holdovers and young prospects. Travis Konecny remains their top offensive threat, but the lack of proven talent around him makes it difficult for Philadelphia to compete on a nightly basis. Carter Hart, once seen as the team’s franchise goaltender, has struggled with inconsistency, and it’s unclear if he’ll be able to bounce back to his peak form.

The over/under for Philadelphia is set at 85.5 points, and even that could be a stretch. With the Flyers focused on development rather than winning now, the under looks like the better bet. The Flyers are a team to avoid in terms of futures betting, as their long-term outlook is brighter than their immediate prospects for success.

• Division Odds (+2000): At +2000, the Flyers are one of the least likely teams to win the Metropolitan Division. Their rebuilding phase makes them a long shot in a division filled with established contenders.
• Over/Under 85.5 Points: Philadelphia managed 87 points last season, and while they’re building for the future, it’s hard to see them surpassing 85.5 points after a quiet offseason. The under seems like the safer bet.
• To Make Playoffs (+200): The Flyers’ playoff chances are slim, and the +200 odds reflect that. They’re likely to miss out again as they focus on player development rather than short-term success.

Best Bet: Under 85.5 Points (-115)

Columbus Blue Jackets

• 2023-24 Record: 27-43-12
• Division Odds: +15000
• Over/Under Points: o67.5 (-115), u67.5 (-115)
• To Make the Playoffs: Yes (+1700), No (-5000)

The Columbus Blue Jackets had a rough season in 2023-24, finishing with just 66 points and last in the Metropolitan Division. The team is also dealing with the horrific death of star Johnny Gaudreau, who was tragically killed by a drunk driver this offseason.

This team was likely to struggle regardless, but the loss of Gaudreau will make their path all the more difficult. Columbus did add a solid player in Sean Monahan this offseason, and they’ll be banking on a bounce-back after a rough 2023-24.

At +15000, Columbus is the longest shot to win the Metropolitan, and for good reason. Despite their improvements on defense, they remain a young and unproven team. Goaltending remains a concern as well, with neither Elvis Merzlikins nor Daniil Tarasov showing the consistency needed to make Columbus competitive.

The over/under for the Blue Jackets is set at 67.5 points, and the under is worth considering. This was a largely weak roster to begin with, and I don’t think Monahan alone will be enough to lift them to greater heights.

• Division Odds (+15000): Columbus has the longest odds to win the division at +15000, which speaks to the massive gap between them and the rest of the Metropolitan. They’re deep into a rebuild, making them an easy team to fade.
• Over/Under 67.5 Points: The Blue Jackets likely won’t be any better this season. The under on 67.5 points is worth considering.
• To Make Playoffs (+1700): It’s highly unlikely Columbus will make the playoffs, and the odds reflect that. While the +1700 payout is tempting, this is not a realistic bet for 2024-25.

Best Bet: Under 67.5 Points (-115)