2022 NHL Divisional Odds, Predictions and Picks – Vegas Heavily Favored to Win Pacific

• The 2021-22 NHL regular season begins on Tuesday, October 12th 2021
• Updated NHL Divisional odds have been released ahead of puck drop
• Read below for predictions and picks for each NHL division in 2021-22

Updated NHL Divisional odds have been released ahead of the 2021-22 regular season beginning on Tuesday, October 12th 2021. Bettors can wager on which teams they believe will win the Metropolitan, Atlantic, Pacific and Central Divisions.

The Golden Knights are heavily favored to win the Pacific Division, while the Islanders are starting to pull away in the Metropolitan Division odds after opening at +330.

We layout the odds for each NHL Division and give you our predictions and picks.

NHL Odds – Metropolitan Division

All odds as of Oct 8th at DraftKings

Islanders NHL Odds to Win Metro Offer Value

The New York Islanders have seen their NHL odds to win the Metropolitan Division shorten since they opened at +330. There’s plenty of reason to buy-in on Barry Trotz team heading into 2021-22. The Isles have reached the Eastern Conference Final in consecutive seasons and return almost everyone from the 2020-21 roster. They’ll also have their captain Anders Lee healthy for a full season.

“It felt good to be out there. It was nice to get on the ice and be with the boys.” – Anders Lee pic.twitter.com/BNXCluq58N

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) October 6, 2021

Not only do the Islanders return almost their entire roster, but they also made some solid offseason acquisitions. Among the newcomers are Zdeno Chara and Zach Parise, who will provide leadership and experience. The Isles allowed the fewest goals in the Eastern Conference last season and boast an elite goalie tandem with Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov.

There are teams with higher upside than the Isles in the Metropolitan Division NHL odds, but they all have question marks. This Isles’ roster is the most proven and the one you want to trust with your money. After coming within one game of the Stanley Cup Final last year, the Islanders are well-positioned to capture their first division title since 1987-88.

Pick: New York Islanders (+275)

NHL Odds – Atlantic Division

Panthers’ Betting Value in Atlantic Division

The Atlantic Division may be the NHL’s toughest division in 2021-22. The Maple Leafs, Lightning, and Bruins all boast elite rosters, but the Panthers shouldn’t be slept on. Florida finished second behind Carolina in the Central Division last season and made some key offseason additions. Among the new faces in Florida are proven goalscorer Sam Reinhart and veteran Joe Thornton. The Panthers NHL Playoff odds currently sit at -425.

Sam Reinhart on the preseason so far: “I’m enjoying the challenge and another opportunity to get comfortable tonight before it gets real… I’m excited about just playing hockey right now.” pic.twitter.com/1L3wvul1o1

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) October 7, 2021

Toronto, Tampa Bay, and Boston are the favorites primarily due to their reputation. The reality is all three teams didn’t have great offseasons and could regress in 2021-22. Tampa Bay lost several key players from their Cup-winning team, while the Bruins lost second-line center, David Krejci. The Maple Leafs didn’t make any changes to a weak blueline that struggles to defend in front of its goalies.

The Panthers will have a fully healthy Aaron Ekblad this season and boast one of the league’s most dynamic duos in Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau. The only question is goaltending, where rookie Spencer Knight will split time with Sergei Bobrovsky. Knight has been exceptional at every level he’s played at and should answer the call. Bet the Panthers before the NHL betting value starts to disappear.

Pick: Florida Panthers (+425)

NHL Odds – Pacific Division

Vegas’ Odds Favor Domination Over Pacific

The Vegas Golden Knights are heavily favored to win the Pacific Division for the third time in their franchise history. Vegas tied with Colorado for the most points in the regular season last season and return all the key players from their 2020-21 roster. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was traded to Chicago, but they still have a quality starter in Robin Lehner.

The Golden Knights have a perfect balance of offense and defense, which can’t be said for virtually every other team in this division. Vegas has two elite scoring lines cemented by Chandler Stephenson and William Karlsson, while Alex Pietrangelo,  Alec Martinez, and Shea Theodore help make up a dynamic top-four defense group.

The Oilers always receive plenty of NHL public betting due to Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but their defense remains lacklustre. The Kraken, meanwhile, are the third betting favorite in the NHL odds to win the Pacific, but they’re lacking top-tier offensive talent. The Golden Knights simply have the most balanced roster and should capture their second consecutive Pacific Division title.

Vegas Golden Knights (-160)

NHL Odds – Central Division

Avalanche are Betting Favorite in Central Division

It’s the Colorado Avalanche and everyone else in the Central Division according to oddsmakers. Colorado is the heaviest NHL Divisional favorite for good reason entering the 2021-22 season. The Avs won the President’s Trophy last season and are favored to win it again in the DraftKings NHL odds. They return their entire core of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel Landeskog and Cale Makar.

Mikko remains elite, even if it’s just preseason. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/U2RhsDNKLE

— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) October 6, 2021

Colorado is so stacked that it’s hard to bet against them in the Central Division odds. They’re also favored in the Stanley Cup odds and will be hungry after losing in Round 2 of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Their only big offseason loss was goalie Philipp Grubauer, who will be replaced by potentially an even better netminder in Arizona’s Darcy Kuemper.

Winnipeg is the other team to consider a wager on primarily due to Vezina Trophy contender Connor Hellebuyck. The Jets aren’t as complete as Colorado, however, and would need Hellebuyck to really bail out a shaky defense. The Avs are deserving of their heavy price and will likely see their odds shorten even further. Bet this powerhouse before the puck drops.

Pick: Colorado Avalanche (-250)