Let’s have a look at the NHL 2021/22 division winners’ futures picks.
NHL Division Futures Betting Predictions
The NHL will go back to its previous divisions and to a full 82-game regular-season schedule for the upcoming 2021-22 campaign. The Canadian Division is no more, now that COVID-19 restrictions no longer prevent teams from cross the Canada-USA border. It’s the Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central and Pacific Divisions as in 2019-20. Which teams are the NHL picks to win the divisions? What teams are sleepers? Let’s look at the NHL’s divisional picks.
- The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning are 2.44 favourites to win the NHL’s Atlantic Division.
- In other NHL divisions, the Colorado Avalanche (Central) New York Islanders (Metropolitan) and Vegas Golden Knights (Pacific) are the betting picks.
- All of the odds, best bets and value choices in the 2021-22 NHL divisional picks are in the following story.
After a playoff in a bubble, followed by a COVID-19 shortened campaign, it’s going to be business as usual in terms of the NHL’s plans for the 2021-22 season. With teams returning to their regular divisional formats and to playing a full 82-game slate, should hockey bettors be trusting the usual suspects with their NHL divisional picks?
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Is the two-year reign of the Tampa Bay Lightning coming to an end? Will the Carolina Hurricanes find a way to go further? Is it time to believe in the New York Islanders and is this the year that the Colorado Avalanche finally live up to the hype?
| Team |  |
|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | 3.00 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 5.80 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 5.80 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 6.20 |
| Boston Bruins | 11.00 |
Before we can talk about Stanley Cup contenders and Presidents’ Trophy winners, first and foremost, an NHL team needs to get the job done within their own division. If they don’t find a way into the postseason, then none of the hype will matter.
Atlantic Division Picks
The Lightning are the 2.44 pick to win the Atlantic but there must be cause for concern within the Tampa Bay ranks. Gone are key role players Barclay Goodrow, Yanni Gourde and Blake Coleman.
Toronto and Boston will be right there as always but neither team really did much in the offseason to address shortcomings. Montreal will regress following a shock run to the 2021 Stanley Cup final.
A betting choice worth strong consideration in the NHL divisional picks to win the Atlantic are the Florida Panthers. They’ve got a three-time Cup-winning coach in Joel Quenneville, tremendous skill up front led by Aleksander Barkov and rookie of the year sleeper in goalie Spencer Knight.
Metropolitan Division Picks
This feels like a division about to witness a severe shakeup in the pecking order. The long reign of the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins isn’t only at an end, both of those teams may be hard-pressed to make the playoffs.
The New York Islanders have been to the Stanley Cup final four two years in a row. In Carolina, the Hurricanes are a solid team but didn’t upgrade in goal. A team on the rise that could be a real value play in the NHL divisional picks are the New York Rangers.
Central Division Picks
The Colorado Avalanche are still the cream of the crop in this group, led by superstar Nathan MacKinnon. They should easily top the Central once more.
However, when it comes to baubles like the Presidents’ Trophy and Stanley Cup, it will all come down to whether Darcy Kuemper proves capable of filling in for departed Vezina contender Philipp Grubauer between the pipes.
Pacific Division Picks
The Vegas Golden Knights said goodbye to the face of the franchise in goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. Without a legit No. 1 center, it’s hard to see the Golden Knights contending for the Stanley Cup. Hard-up against the cap, it’ll be difficult to solve this problem.
Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid is the NHL’s best player and he stated this summer that he’s fed up with not winning anything as a team. Will be be able to spark the Oilers to take the next step this season and challenge Vegas for in the Pacific Division picks?
Where to Bet On The NHL?
There are a number of leading online betting sites that will provide bettors with the chance to place a wager on the NHL, whether it be a moneyline or point spread wager, a future book bet, a parlay wager, or a player or team prop wager. The best bet you can make is to shop around in advance and seek out the right deal before joining one of these sportsbooks. Check out Sports Interaction and Bet99 as examples.
The signup bonus offers that are in place at all of these recommended sites will prove advantageous to the bettor. And since you’ll get a good deal wherever you go, why not check out several sites and find the ideal fit for your needs?
Do you want a risk-free first bet as a signup bonus? Perhaps you find a no deposit bonus to be enticing. Or maybe you simply like the feel of cold, hard cash in your account and you want to go for a matching first deposit bonus. Whatever option you choose, you’re already a winner.
Remember that new players and returning customers are eligible for better bonuses when they deposit using Bitcoin. As well, take advantage of the betting advice offered at these sites to help newcomers acclimatize to sports betting.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the right one for you:
