The National Hockey League’s division realignment this season hasn’t led to many surprises. The top teams heading into the NHL Season have played like it. Tampa Bay and Carolina lead the Central Division. Toronto is the top team in the all-Canadian North and even though the Islanders may be a surprise in the East, the Washington Capitals aren’t.
The National Hockey League put the two favorites to win the Stanley Cup in the West, the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights. Wouldn’t you know it? As we head to April, the Knights and Avalanche are within a point of each other at the top of the division. Let’s take a closer look at the North Division so you can plan your bets against their NHL Divisional odds.
Updated Odds to Win West Division – NHL Betting
NHL Odds to Win the West Division
- Colorado Avalanche -110
- Vegas Golden Knights -110
- St. Louis Blues +4000
- Arizona Coyotes +5000
- Minnesota Wild +800
- San Jose Sharks +20000
- Los Angeles Kings +12500
- Anaheim Ducks +75000
Between the Avalanche and Knights, which favored squad has the best shot at winning the West?
You can’t go wrong with both teams. They offer the same odds and are within a point of each other. If push came to shove, we’d probably side with the Colorado Avalanche over the Golden Knights.
The reason? Nathan MacKinnon plays for the Avs. MacKinnon and Connor McDavid with the Edmonton Oilers are the two best players in the NHL. Miko Rantanen leads the Avalanche with 40 points, which means MacKinnon mustn’t do everything by himself.
Also, Philip Grubauer is as solid as any goalie in the league. Grubauer allows 1.74 goals per. The Avalanche rank second in goals allowed each game at 2.2 and third in goals scored per at 3.5.
Colorado has the edge over Vegas, but that doesn’t mean Vegas is a bad play. The Avalanche must cross their fingers that Grubauer doesn’t get hurt. If he does, things could go south in a hurry. Jonas Johansson, the back-up goalie, allowed 4 goals in his first stint in an Avalanche uniform.
If Johansson gets hurt, Colorado’s chances of catching Vegas are slim to none. The Golden Knights send Marc-Andre Fleury to the net in most games. When Fleury doesn’t play, Robin Lehner, 6-1 record and 2.35 GAA, does.
Not only that, but defenseman Alex Pietrangelo returns in April. If you have your doubts about Grubauer staying healthy the rest of the season, or if you believe Pietrangelo gives the Golden Knights a boost, go with Vegas over Colorado.
Can the Minnesota Wild do enough to beat Colorado and Vegas for the West Division title?
As of March 29, the Wild are just 5 points behind the Golden Knights, and 4 points behind the Avalanche. So, yes, Minnesota could beat both Colorado and Vegas for the title, but it’s not likely.
Minnesota has a very good defense. Both goalies, Cam Talbot and Kaapo Kahkonen are strong. The blue line is tough. But the Wild average 2.9 goals per. That may not be good enough to win the division.
Also, Colorado dominated the Wild 5-1 on March 18. In the next game on March 20, the Avs beat Minnesota 6-0. The Wild beat Vegas 4-3 on March 10, but on March 3, the Golden Knights beat Minnesota 5-1.
Don’t bother backing the Blues or Coyotes. St. Louis is playing to make the playoffs, not win the division, while Arizona isn’t good enough to take advantage if the Wild, Avalanche, and Golden Knights implode.
NHL Betting News
Odds and Lines: NHL Lines | Stanley Cup Odds | Conferences Odds | Conferences Odds
- 2024/25 Stanley Cup Predictions: Can the Panthers Repeat as Champions?
- Guentzel to the Bay: Betting NHL News and Analyst Prediction
- Can the Panthers Claw Back and Conquer in Game 7? Analysis & NHL Odds Breakdown
- Can You Beat the Experts? Panthers vs Oilers Betting Odds Game 6, 2024 Stanley Cup Finals
- Will the Oilers Take the Cup? Odds & Pick for a Thrilling Game 6 – Panthers vs Oilers
