The NHL season is less than two weeks away, and the preseason has been underway for a week. While the odds on which team will win the Stanley Cup have been out for months, lines are now starting to pop up for both team and individual wagers.
The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Vegas Golden Knights are the top teams in each of the conferences, and oddsmakers have them at the top of the betting board. The Lightning are 6/1 at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, and the Golden Knights are 7/1.
They are also tops to win their divisions and conference championships. The Lightning are +110 to win the Atlantic Division, and +325 to win the Eastern Conference. Vegas is -105 to win the Pacific Division, and a +375 to win the Western Conference.
The odds on those wagers are obviously low, but there is some value with other NHL season prop bets. Here’s a look at some bets that gamblers might want to take a chance on.
NHL Season Points Total Prop Bets
Anaheim Ducks 80.5 Over -120, Under -105
The Ducks were a bad team last year with a really, really good goaltender. John Gibson won a lot of games other goalies might have lost. The team was also mired in a long losing streak midseason, and they still got 80 points. An upgraded defense should help.
Take the over.
Boston Bruins 101.5 Over -120, Under -110
The Bruins got to the Stanley Cup Finals and finished with 107 points. They’re basically the same team this year, so why do oddsmakers believe they will drop nearly six points? Part of the reason is the emergence of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are the second pick at many East Coast and Internet sportsbooks to win the Eastern Conference. The team could definitely face a drop off, and the odds favor that happening.
Take the under.
Philadelphia Flyers 91.5 Over -130, Under +100
The Flyers probably did as much as any team to improve this year, adding defensemen Matt Niskanen from Washington, and Justin Braun from San Jose. They also got forward Kevin Hayes from Winnipeg. But, the competition in the east also got better, and asking this team to improve nearly 10 points is a big ask.
Take the under.
Toronto Maple Leafs 103.5 Over +100, Under -130
The Leafs were supposed to challenge for the Atlantic Division last year, but instead, finished third behind the Lightning and Bruins. That shouldn’t happen this year. Toronto got Tyson Barrie, who will give the defense some scoring punch. The are a trending pick to win the Cup, and should eclipse this regular season NHL season total.
Take the over.
Ovechkin Favorite for Ninth Rocket Richard Trophy
Washington’s Alex Ovechkin is the favorite to score the most goals in the NHL regular season, and win the Maurice “Rocket†Richard Trophy for a ninth time. He is listed at 8/1, with John Tavares of Toronto, and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid next at 12/1 in this prop bet.
There is no questioning Ovechkin’s skills — he scored 51 goals last year, up from 49 the year before. But others may give him a more spirited challenge this season.
One contender might be Chicago’s Alex DeBrincat at 20/1. The third-year player had 41 goals last year, up from 28 his rookie year. He will be on a line with Dylan Strome, and on the power play with Patrick Kane. Both will be eager to feed him. Expect his total to go up, possibly enough to challenge Ovechkin.