2024-25 NHL Pacific Division Odds and Predictions

The NHL’s Pacific Division is one of the most competitive in the league, featuring a mix of established contenders and rising young teams. Heading into the 2024-25 season, the division looks set for a potentially thrilling race with several teams having legitimate aspirations for the top spot.

The Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights are among the early favorites, but teams like the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks are poised to challenge. The Oilers are fresh off of a heartbreaking loss to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Finals. Could this be the year Conor McDavid finally leads the storied franchise back to glory?

Let’s break down the NHL division odds and identify the best way to bet on each of the eight Pacific Division teams heading into the new campaign.

2024-25 NHL Pacific Division Odds

Edmonton Oilers

• 2023-24 Record: 49-27-6
• Pacific Division Odds: +160
• Over/Under Points: o108.5 (-110), u108.5 (-110)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (-1100), No (+650)

The Edmonton Oilers have been knocking on the door of greatness for several years now, and with superstars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the charge, it’s no surprise they are favored to win the Pacific Division. The Oilers boast one of the most potent offenses in the NHL, which powered them to 49 wins and a Stanley Cup Final berth last season.

That was Edmonton’s first appearance in the championship round since the 2005-06 campaign where they ultimately fell in 7 games to Carolina. The Oilers got off to a sluggish start last season, which led to the dismissal of head coach Jay Woodcroft in November. Edmonton appointed Kris Knoblauch to take over on an interim basis, and the team absolutely took off from there.

With such a star-heavy roster already in place, the Oilers’ offseason moves focused on bolstering their depth. Edmonton made a couple of shrewd additions in Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson. While depth is still a concern overall, this team looks poised to make another deep playoff run again in 2024-25. As long as McDavid and Draisaitl stay upright, there’s little reason to believe they can’t cruise to a Pacific Division crown on the heels of last year’s 2nd-place finish.

If they can maintain their high-scoring pace and get consistent goaltending, betting the over on 108.5 points is a reasonable wager. They finished with 104 last season, and I think this year’s team looks even better on paper. The line is admittedly high, but justifiably so.

• Division Odds (+160): As the favorites, Edmonton’s odds offer decent value, particularly given their offensive firepower and depth.
• Over/Under 108.5 Points: The Oilers finished last season with 109 points. Betting the over could be risky but reasonable if they stay healthy and keep up their scoring prowess.
• To Make Playoffs (-1100): These odds suggest making the playoffs is a near certainty. I suppose betting “no” offers profit potential at +650 if things go horribly wrong, but this bet is highly unlikely to cash.

Best Bet: Over 108.5 Points (-110)

Vancouver Canucks

• 2023-24 Record: 50-23-9
• Pacific Division Odds: +240
• Over/Under Points: o99.5 (-115), u99.5 (-105)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (-270), No (+210)

The Vancouver Canucks actually won the Pacific Division last season, though they ultimately fell at the hands of the rival Oilers in a 7-game heartbreaker in the second round of the playoffs. Vancouver is one of the league’s stored franchises, yet their playoff appearance last season was their first since the 2019-20 campaign. The Canucks have made the postseason just twice in the last decade.

This team was a legitimate surprise last year, improving their win total by 12 games. This was also the team’s first division championship since 2012-13. This offseason, the Canucks added a pair of ex-Bruins in Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen. DeBrusk will be in Vancouver for the next 7 years, while Heinen inked a 2-year pact.

The Canucks are hoping the decision to pay DeBrusk will pay off. The 27-year-old saw his performance dip a bit last season, though he’s totaled 71 goals and 61 assists over the last 3 years combined.

Keeping Thatcher Demko on the ice has been a challenge. The netminder was limited to just 51 games last year due to a knee injury, and the Canucks don’t yet know whether the San Diego native will be ready by opening night.

The key to success will be the continued development of the Canucks’ core, which is built around Demko, JT Miller, and Elias Pettersson. That they’re +240 underdogs to win the Pacific after topping the division last season means there’s some potential value here if you think they can hang with the mighty Oilers.

• Division Odds (+240): Vancouver’s odds offer solid value for a team that could overachieve if their young core steps up.
• Over/Under 99.5 Points: They finished with 109 points last season, which was a marked improvement over their 83-point campaign in 2022-23. Hitting the over on 99.5 points wouldn’t require improvement, of course.
• To Make Playoffs (-270): The odds strongly favor Vancouver making the playoffs, reflecting confidence in their ability to continue their upward trajectory.

Best Bet: Over 99.5 Points (-115)

Vegas Golden Knights

• 2023-24 Record: 45-29-8
• Pacific Division Odds: +275
• Over/Under Points: o98.5 (-130), u98.5 (+100)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (-350), No (+260)

The Vegas Golden Knights – even a year removed from a Stanley Cup title – are still among the top teams in the league. Their depth, star power, and goaltending were key factors in their Cup run, and some of that core remains intact.

Vegas slumped to a disappointing fourth-place finish in the Pacific Division last season, though they still racked up an impressive 98 points. This is a talented division, so there isn’t much shame in finishing that low in the standings. The Golden Knights were unceremoniously ousted in the first round of the playoffs in a 7-game series by the upstart Dallas Stars.

Unfortunately, the team doesn’t seem to be getting better. Mainstay Jonathan Marchessault left in free agency to join the Nashville Predators. Vegas also traded Logan Thompson to Washington in exchange for a pair of 3rd-round draft picks. The few additions they’ve made – Akira Schmid, Victor Olofsson, and Alexander Holtz – make it seem as though the team is largely content with the moves they made ahead of last season’s trade deadline to get Thomas Hertl and Noah Hanifin.

Sustaining their previous level of success in a competitive division is challenging. I’m concerned by the lack of activity this offseason, and I think continued regression could be in the cards for this club in 2024-25.

• Division Odds (+275): Vegas provides decent value. However, the competition is fierce and they’re getting worse on paper, making this a tricky bet.
• Over/Under 98.5 Points: They accumulated 98 points last season, but I don’t think they’re as deep or talented this year. I think there’s value in the under at even money.
• To Make Playoffs (-350): The Knights are virtually a lock for the playoffs, but at these odds, the value isn’t great.

Best Bet: Under 98.5 Points (+100)

Los Angeles Kings

• 2023-24 Record: 47-25-10
• Pacific Division Odds: +550
• Over/Under Points: o96.5 (-110), u96.5 (-110)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (-250), No (+200)

The Los Angeles Kings continue to rise, with a strong mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent. They made the playoffs last season and are expected to do so again, especially after some smart offseason acquisitions. Unfortunately, winning once they get to the postseason has proven challenging in recent years. Despite having qualified for the playoffs 5 times since last winning the Stanley Cup in 2013-14, Los Angeles has still yet to win a series. They’ve fallen to the Oilers in the first round in each of the last 3 seasons.

The Kings made a smart decision by dumping the awful contract of Pierre-Luc Dubois onto Washington in exchange for goaltender Darcy Kuemper. LA is banking on a bounce-back season from Kuemper. Cutting ties with Dubois also clears up the team’s cap space a bit further moving forward.

Joel Edmundson is here to replace the departed Matt Roy, which is a net loss for Los Angeles. Scoring goals will also be a potential issue for this team, as they’ve done nothing this offseason to address that weakness after struggling mightily in that department down the stretch of last season.

The Kings’ depth and defensive play will be critical in a division stacked with offensive powerhouses. If Kuemper can flash some of his old form, they could be a sleeper pick to not only make the playoffs but challenge for the division.

• Division Odds (+550): LA offers significant upside at these odds for those who believe they can leap ahead of Edmonton and Vancouver.
• Over/Under 96.5 Points: They finished with 99 points last season. The over on 96.5 at -110 looks appealing for a team with playoff ambitions.
• To Make Playoffs (-250): A relatively safe bet considering their trajectory, though the payout is modest.

Best Bet: Over 96.5 Points (-110)

Seattle Kraken

• 2023-24 Record: 34-35-13
• Pacific Division Odds: +1600
• Over/Under Points: o87.5 (-105), u87.5 (-115)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (+155), No (-190)

The Seattle Kraken exceeded expectations in just their second season, making a deep playoff run. They fell back to earth last season, however, finishing with a sub-.500 record and failing to qualify for the postseason. They’ll look to bounce back after a down year, but oddsmakers are a bit cautious about their prospects this season.

Seattle attempted to bolster the defense by signing former Golden Knight Brandon Montour. Montour is a likely upgrade overall, but the Kraken very likely overpaid. Speaking of overpaying, the Kraken also signed Chandler Stephenson to a monstrous 7-year, $44 million deal…for some reason. Who were they bidding against? Nobody knows, but it’s clear they were desperate to do something this summer.

Scoring goals is the primary issue, and those moves did nothing to address it. Seattle slumped to just 29th in the league with 217 goals last year, and it’s unclear how they plan to improve upon that mark.

Seattle’s strength lies in its balanced roster and solid goaltending. After a few head-scratching moves in the offseason, their performance may depend on whether their existing players can replicate the successes of 2022-23.

• Division Odds (+1600): The Kraken offer long-shot odds, making them a high-risk, high-reward bet for those who believe the 2022-23 season wasn’t a fluke.
• Over/Under 87.5 Points: The Kraken finished with 81 points last season, and I’m not sure where this optimism is coming from. I like the under on 87.5 for a team that doesn’t seem to have improved all that much.
• To Make Playoffs (+155): There’s value here if you believe Seattle can bounce back. I, for what it’s worth, do not.

Best Bet: Under 87.5 Points (-115)

Calgary Flames

• 2023-24 Record: 38-39-5
• Pacific Division Odds: +1800
• Over/Under Points: o81.5 (-110), u81.5 (-110)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (+310), No (-425)

The Calgary Flames endured a disappointing season in 2023-24, missing the playoffs for a second straight year finishing third in the division back in 2021-22 The Flames have talent, but they’ve struggled with consistency.

Calgary has regressed considerably since that 111-point campaign 3 years ago. They fell to 93 points the following year, and last year mustered just 81 and finished fifth in the Pacific. The Flames are in the midst of a rebuild, and they’re hoping this season it will finally start to bear some fruit.

Starting goalie Jacob Markstrom was traded to the Devils, which means Dustin Wolf is expected to take over as the full-time starter. Markstrom has been terrific over the course of his career, but he’s now in his mid-30s and comes with quite a salary cap hit. Moving on from him clears some space for potential upgrades in the future. At last year’s deadline, the Flames started to clean house by moving Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev, and Elias Lindholm.

Calgary’s biggest splash of the offseason was the signing of Yegor Sharangovich to a 5-year extension after his 31-goal output last year. The Flames also signed forward Anthony Mantha, who could be dangled as a trade chip ahead of the deadline if he produces early in the year.

• Division Odds (+1800): Calgary’s odds reflect their underdog status. There’s potential for a bounce-back, but it’s a risky bet.
• Over/Under 81.5 Points: They finished with 81 points last season, so betting the over seems reasonable if you believe their changes will provide a nominal boost in 2024-25.
• To Make Playoffs (+310): The Flames are long shots for the playoffs, but the payout is attractive for optimists.

Best Bet: Over 81.5 Points (-110)

Anaheim Ducks

• 2023-24 Record: 27-50-5
• Pacific Division Odds: +12500
• Over/Under Points: o70.5 (-110), u70.5 (-110)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (+1100), No (-2500)

The Anaheim Ducks are yet another club in a rebuilding phase, and their odds reflect the long road ahead. After a dismal 2023-24 season, the Ducks are focused on developing their young talent. Anaheim has now gone 6 full seasons since their last playoff appearance in 2017-18. That year, they were unceremoniously dumped in a sweep by the San Jose Sharks.

Anaheim appears content with taking the patient approach to rebuilding. Rather than splash cash on the free-agent market or make any major trade, the Ducks opted for a series of smaller tweaks to the roster. Trading Trevor Zegras now while his value is at an all-time low wouldn’t be a prudent decision, so the team deserves some plaudits for keeping him around. A couple of small trades for Brian Dumoulin and Robby Fabbri will help the Ducks’ depth, but these deals are also unlikely to suddenly flip the team’s script.

The Ducks’ long-term hopes hinge on how well they develop their young players. Rookie right-winger Becket Sennecke – the No. 3 overall pick in the draft – could provide a boost on the goal-scoring front. Anaheim put the puck into the back of the opponents’ net just 204 times last season.

Division Odds (+12500): The Ducks are the ultimate long shot. A bet here is purely for those who believe in miracles. Do you believe in miracles!? No!
Over/Under 70.5 Points: They managed just 59 points last season, which was actually an improvement on their 58-point year the season prior. While the over is possible, it’s not a sure thing given their stage in the rebuild. 70.5 seems like quite a leap.
To Make Playoffs (+1100): A huge payout, but the chances are slim.

Best Bet: Under 70.5 Points (-110)

San Jose Sharks

• 2023-24 Record: 19-54-9
• Pacific Division Odds: +20000
• Over/Under Points: o63.5 (-115), u63.5 (-105)
• To Make Playoffs: Yes (+1600), No (-6600)

The San Jose Sharks are in the midst of a dismal stretch. San Jose hasn’t made the playoffs in any of the last 5 seasons, and they fell to a dismal 19-win record a season ago. Of course, finishing with the league’s worst record has its benefits. San Jose was able to get star prospect Macklin Celebrini with the No. 1 overall pick in the most recent draft.

Celebrini gives the Sharks some hope for the future, but it’s unreasonable to expect one player to move the needle too much for a 19-win team. It’s simply impossible to imagine San Jose won’t improve upon their 47-point output from last season. In addition to Celebrini, the Sharks also made a couple of solid moves in adding Tyler Toffoli and Alexander Wennberg on free-agent deals. The well-traveled Toffoli comes over in free agency after totaling 33 goals with 22 assists between New Jersey and Winnipeg last season.

The trade for Jake Walman should aid a defense that needs all the help it can get. The Sharks yielded 331 goals last season. Just one other team – the Blue Jackets – allowed at least 300. Brutal, brutal stuff.

With a focus on the future, the Sharks are likely to give plenty of ice time to younger players. However, this season is likely to be another tough one for the once-dominant franchise.

• Division Odds (+20000): Even with these astronomical odds, it’s hard to justify a bet on the Sharks winning the Pacific.
• Over/Under 63.5 Points: The Sharks accumulated a pathetic 47 points last season, so the over/under of 63.5 is quite an improvement. The over could be tempting if you believe they’ll improve greatly. I think they’re headed in the right direction, but expecting a 17-point bump may be a bit much.
• To Make Playoffs (+1600): A near-impossible feat, but the payout is massive for the optimistic.

Best Bet: Under 63.5 Points (-105)