Division Betting Preview: Favorites, Darkhorses, and Value Plays

I have taken the best odds from sites offering NHL division betting odds. Please contact me privately if you would like to know which site is offering a specific bet. Sites offering division odds are: 5Dimes, Expekt, Gamebookers, Intertops, Ladbrokes, Sportingbet, Stan James, Unibet

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

Team………………………………Odds

Pittsburgh Penguins…………..-125

Philadelphia Flyers……………+320

New Jersey Devils……………..+700

New York Rangers…………….+750

New York Islanders……………+6600

Ari’s take – Philly +320: While the Pens are the best team in the division, do they really have >55% to win this division? If they get solid goaltending the Flyers could emerge as the best team in the Conference – I would take them at +320 to win the division.

Northeast Division

Team………………………………Odds

Boston Bruins……………………-120

Montreal Canadiens……………+500

Ottawa Senators………………..+550

Buffalo Sabres…………………..+700

Toronto Maple Leafs…………..+1300

Ari’s take – Boston -120: How can the Leafs only be +1300? Boston is the class of this division and should win it handily. It will take a major success story from one of the other four teams to contend for the Northeast.

Southeast Division

Team………………………………Odds

Washington Capitals…………..-182

Carolina Hurricanes……………+350

Florida Panthers………………..+1100

Tampa Bay Lightning………….+1200

Atlanta Thrashers……………….+3300

Ari’s take – pass: It seems like Washington is a lock to win the division, but at -182 it’s not worth it. Carolina finished strongly last year and the Caps do have a question mark in net to start the season.

Western Conference

Central Division

Team………………………………Odds

Detroit Red Wings……………..+115

Chicago Blackhawks…………..+160

St. Louis Blues…………………..+1100

Columbus Blue Jackets………..+1700

Nashville Predators…………….+3000

Ari’s take – Detroit +115, Nashville +3000: Detroit was -667 to win the division last year. They are older and facing a much improved division, but at +115 I can’t pass it up. The Preds have a strong blue-line and an excellent goaltender. They will almost certainly lose the division, but at +3000 it’s worth a try.

Northwest Division

Team………………………………Odds

Calgary Flames………………….+155

Vancouver Canucks…………….+160

Edmonton Oilers………………..+550

Minnesota Wild…………………+1000

Colorado Avalanche……………+5000

Ari’s take – pass: I like Calgary to win the division, but not at +155. Maybe the Wild at +1000 offer value on the strength of their goaltending. I would (as I usually do) leave this division alone for betting purposes.

Pacific Division

Team………………………………Odds

San Jose Sharks…………………-154

Anaheim Ducks…………………+300

Dallas Stars………………………+1000

Los Angeles Kings………………+1000

Phoenix Coyotes…………………+6600

Ari’s take – San Jose -154: The Sharks were already heavy favorites before they added Heatley. Can’t see anyone else competing – maybe the Ducks but San Jose should be the favorites for the President’s trophy.

Good luck to all of you on your bets this year!