2021 NHL North Division Odds, Predictions, and Point Totals

Montreal Canadiens

• 2019-20 Record: 31-31-9 (71 Points)
• Goals For Per Game: 2.93 (19th)
• Goals Against Per Game: 3.10 (19th)
• Powerplay Percentage: 17.7 (22nd)
• Penalty Kill Percentage: 78.7 (19th)
• Starting Goaltender: Carey Price (.909 SV%, 2.79 GAA)

A disappointing regular season for Montreal was salvaged by an impressive playoff performance that saw them take the Philadelphia Flyers to six games in the opening round of the playoffs.

The Habs held the Flyers to three or fewer goals in each contest behind vintage goaltending from Carey Price. Montreal was one of the best possession teams in the entire league last year, ranking second in both Corsi and Fenwick.

Signings/Trade Additions and Losses

The Habs made bold moves this offseason, trading away Max Domi for Josh Anderson and signing some big name free agents. Montreal’s ability to win this division likely depends on whether young players such as Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Nick Suzuki can take big steps forward.

Signing Jake Allen to backup Price could also pay major dividends for the Habs’ goaltending situation. Price has started 60-plus games in two of the last three full years and could benefit from getting more nights off.

Prediction: 66 Points (2nd)

Edmonton Oilers

• 2019-20 Record: 37-25-9 (83 points)
• Goals For Per Game: 3.14 (15th)
• Goals Against Per Game: 3.03 (15th)
• Powerplay Percentage: 29.5 (1st)
• Penalty Kill Percentage: 84.4 (2nd)
• Starting Goaltender: Mikko Koskinen (.917 SV%, 2.75 GAA)

An up-and-down regular season in Edmonton was capped off by a poor Return-to-Play performance that saw the Oilers bow out in four games at the hands of the Blackhawks in the qualifying round. The Oilers were once again led by the electric tandem of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, who finished first and second in the NHL scoring race.

Signings/Trade Additions and Losses

The Oilers made some underrated signing this offseason, bringing in one of the league’s better power-play quarterbacks in Tyson Barrie and a solid two-way center in Kyle Turris. We know the production from the superstars will be there.

Today is an off-day for @EdmontonOilers
First Week Observations:

D transitioning puck better.
Jones-Larsson have looked real good.
Turris big upgrade at 3C, Puljujarvi engaged.
McDavid on other level from Sept.'19. pic.twitter.com/6Uy4APL3nn

— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) January 10, 2021

Whether or not the Oilers take the reins in this division will depend on if the supporting cast can produce consistently behind McDavid and Draisaitl. This is also a huge year for Mikko Koskinen entering his first season as a full-time starter.

Prediction: 62 Points (4th)

Calgary Flames

• 2019-20 Record: 36-27-7 (79 points)
• Goals For Per Game: 3.06 (20th)
• Goals Against Per Game: 3.03 (17th)
• Powerplay Percentage: 21.2 (12th)
• Penalty Kill Percentage: 82.1 (8th)
• Starting Goaltender: Jacob Markstrom (.918 SV%, 2.75 GAA)

After finishing with the best record in the Western Conference in 2018-19, the Flames took a step backwards last season. Calgary fired head coach Bill Peters early in the year and struggled to string together wins on a consistent basis. They beat a banged up Winnipeg team in the qualifying round of the Return-to-Play before losing in the first round of the playoffs to Dallas.

Signings/Trade Additions and Losses

The Flames were one of the flashiest teams during the offseason, signing Vancouver starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom and also poaching Chris Tanev and Josh Leivo from the organization. Markstrom repeating his incredible play from 2020 will be important, but the key to the Flames winning this division will be Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan returning to form after down years.

Prediction: 65 Points (3rd)

Vancouver Canucks

• 2019-20 Record: 36-27-6 (78 points)
• Goals For Per Game: 3.25 (8th)
• Goals Against Per Game: 3.10 (21st)
• Powerplay Percentage: 24.2 (4th)
• Penalty Kill Percentage: 80.5 (16th)
• Starting Goaltender: Thatcher Demko (.905 SV%, 3.06 GAA)

The Canucks wrote a true underdog story in 2019-20, finishing seventh in the Western Conference during the regular season before taking the Golden Knights all the way to seven games in the second round of the playoffs.

The Canucks gave up the fourth-most shots in the league last year and were consistently bailed out by Jacob Markstrom. Quinn Hughes emerged as a superstar on the blueline, while Elias Pettersson has become one of the league’s top centers.

Signings/Trade Additions and Losses

The Canucks key to returning to the postseason revolves around overcoming some big departures. The young core remains intact, but gone is the MVP goaltender and workhorse blueliner. 25-year-old Demko put on a show against Vegas, but he’s yet to start a full season. Whether or not the Canucks can rise to the top of this division will likely depend on if Braden Holtby can rebound from the worst year of his career and provide a solid goaltending tandem with the youngster Demko.

Prediction: 60 Points (6th)

Winnipeg Jets

• 2019-20 Record: 37-28-6 (80 points)
• Goals For Per Game: 3.00 (17th)
• Goals Against Per Game: 2.83 (10th)
• Powerplay Percentage: 20.5 (15th)
• Penalty Kill Percentage: 77.6 (22nd)
• Starting Goaltender: Connor Hellebuyck (.922 SV%, 2.57 GAA)

The Jets overcame some huge defensive losses at the start of the 2019-20 season to earn a spot in the Return-to-Play. The Jets were in the playoff hunt all year thanks to a huge season from Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck.

Winnipeg lost to Calgary in four games in the qualifying round, but that series was hard to gauge considering the Jets lost top forwards Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine to injury after just one game.

Signings/Trade Additions and Losses

Winnipeg’s playoff chances this season are once again resting in the hands of their elite starting netminder. Hellebuyck has started an average of 61 games over the last three years and could be in for his busiest year yet due to the compressed 56-game schedule. If Hellebuyck stumbles or fatigue becomes an issue, the Jets will be in trouble. A key offseason move was bringing back Paul Stastny, who has showed great chemistry with Laine on the second line in the past.

Prediction: 61 Points (5th)

Ottawa Senators

• 2019-20 Record: 25-34-12 (62 points)
• Goals For Per Game: 2.68 (25th)
• Goals Against Per Game: 3.35 (30th)
• Powerplay Percentage: 14.2 (31st)
• Penalty Kill Percentage: 76.1 (28th)
• Starting Goaltender: Matt Murray (.899 SV%, 2.87 GAA)

The Senators were once again one of the worst teams in the NHL last season, finishing second-last in front of only the Red Wings. Despite being one of the league’s basement dwellers, the Sens showed signs of improvement and finished with their best points percentage in three years. Brady Tkachuk had a strong sophomore season and is emerging as the centerpiece of this young offensive nucleus.

Signings/Trade Additions and Losses

There’s nowhere to go but up for this young Ottawa squad. They were easily the busiest Canadian team this offseason, moving on from some fan favorites and bringing in some exciting new pieces.

Ottawa will just be happy to be in the playoff picture this year, but the chance of them going on a Cinderella run will likely depend on whether the youngsters, such as third overall pick Tim Stuetzle, can make a big impact and if goalie Matt Murray can play like he did a few years back when he won back-to-back Stanley Cups.

Prediction: 49 Points (7th)

Other Division Previews:

• East
• West