NHL Mid-Season Betting Odds: It’s Still Hurricane Season in the Metropolitan
Hurricanes Return to the Top After Rangers Slow Down
Hurricanes Now Slightly Favored Pre-All-Star Break
It’s been quite the stormy season for the Carolina Hurricanes. They opened the 2023-24 NHL season with the shortest odds win the Metropolitan Division at +175. But a brutal start coupled with a surge from the Rangers pushed Carolina to as long as +750 to win. Now, the NHL mid-season betting odds see Carolina as short as -105 to win. However, it remains neck-and-neck with the Rangers.
The NHL’s Metropolitan Division is a Two-Team Race
Congratulations to everyone who bet on Carolina at +750 to win the Metropolitan Division. Before the new year, Carolina was seven points behind the Rangers, with New York having two games on hand. But after riding an 8-2-1 record in January, Carolina is close to tying the Rangers atop the division.
The NHL mid-season betting odds favor Carolina to eventually get sole possession of first. The Hurricanes have been more consistent and are looking at winning their fourth straight division title. They edged New Jersey last season by a point, then finished six points ahead of the Rangers two seasons ago.
Speaking of the Devils, they have all but fallen to the wayside thanks to injuries and poor goaltending. New Jersey started the season at +240 to win, just behind Carolina for the shortest odds. But it is now up to 20-1 to win, sitting in sixth place and 12 points behind the Rangers.
The Devils’ underachievement is a disappointment following their strong 2022-23. If they can’t make a run, Lindy Ruff may be the next head coach to be fired. His odds have shortened to +250, and he is the “leading candidate” in the division to get the boot.
Tied with the Devils, with the odds are the Penguins. Pittsburgh has had mixed NHL results despite making blockbuster deals during the offseason. But it is still a contender in the division and is +12 in goal differential with the third-best point percentage in regulation. Between it and New Jersey, Pittsburgh looks like a shrewder team to back.
The Philly Special: Flyers Are Still Division’s Most Profitable
As good as the Hurricanes and Rangers have been, they are not that profitable. Carolina is in the “red” at roughly -$320 due to their lofty moneyline odds. It is not profitable on either home or road games. The Rangers are up $125 and are break-even on the road. But Philadelphia is the feel-good story that is up over $430 despite a poor home record.
The Flyers are unlikely to win the division, with NHL mid-season betting odds now at 40-1. They don’t have the firepower, ranking 25th in goals per game (2.86). Currently, their lead goaltender is sidelined. But those who bet Philadelphia to make the playoffs at +600 could still cash this ticket.
Philadelphia is four points ahead of the rest for the third spot in the Metropolitan Division. Given the Islanders’ and Devils’ struggles, the Flyers could still hold value, today, at +125 to make it. Even with a five-game losing skid, Philadelphia’s remaining strength of schedule is manageable. It will just need to keep the NHL standings low and continue to out-grind its opponents.
Can Coaching Change Save the Islanders?
Speaking of coaching changes, the Islanders did not wait long to pull the trigger. Struggling to stay afloat in the division, New York axed Laned Lambert and brought in Patrick Roy. The Islanders started the season fourth on the table at +650. Now, they are much longer at 65-1. And forget winning the division. How about making the playoffs?
The Islanders are at +250 to return to the postseason. They are four points behind the Flyers for the third spot in the division and five points behind Detroit for the final Wild Card spot. Considering their recent results – 3-8-3 since December 31 – it would be tough to take the Islanders as an NHL pick today, even with the big-name coaching hire.
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