Written by Scott on Friday, September 15th, 2017
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Below we will go over the Central Division and let you know who we think has the best shot at winning it. We will also talk about each team as this division is close so maybe after reading you will change your mind. It’ll also help you for any bets related to the Central Division.
There are 7 teams in the Central Division: Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, St Louis Blues and the Winnipeg Jets.
Last year it was the Hawks coming away as the winners of this division only to be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the wildcard Predators who then went on to the finals. The Avalanche were in last place in not only the division but the entire league. They were 21 points behind the Canucks who were the next worst team.
Central Division Betting Odds
Below is a list of each team in the division and the average odds for them to win the Central. These are bound to change the closer we get to the season.
- Dallas Stars – 3.25
- Chicago Blackhawks – 4.00
- Nashville Predators – 4.50
- Minnesota Wild – 5.51
- St. Louis Blues – 7.47
- Winnipeg Jets – 13.00
- Colorado Avalanche – 34.00
Depending on where you live, you can find these odds for the team you like to win the division at these sportsbooks:
Canada: Sports Interaction
USA: Bovada
Everyone Else: Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Central Division Winners Betting Tips
Dallas Stars are my pick to win the Central Division.
They already have 2 of the best young players in the league in Tyler Seguin and Jaime Benn and during the off-season the added and a strong winger to play with them in Alexander Radulov. They also picked up Martin Hanzal which gives them amazing depth at the center with Spezza there too.
The Defense is strong and adding Marc Methot will only help them as will getting Ben Bishop to be their starter.
Best Odds for Stars to win the Division
Canada: 4.20 Odds at 888 Sports
USA: Odds aren’t up yet but we advise Bovada
Everyone Else: 4.20 Odds at 888 Sports
Central Division Betting Analysis
Nashville Predators
They surprised the hockey world last season when they made it to the finals as a wildcard team.
The lost Neal in the expansion draft and Wilson is gone too but they added Nick Bonino and Scott Hartnell to soften the blow.
Their defense is what makes this team a powerhouse. The have arguably the best top 4 defensemen in the league with Subban, Josi, Ekholm and Ellis and added depth when they acquired Alexei Emelin.
They won’t surprise anyone this year like they did last year but they are a better team on paper.
Best Odds for Preds to win the Central
Canada: 4.50 Odds at Sports Interaction
USA: Odds aren’t up yet but we advise Bovada
Everyone Else: 4.50 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Chicago Blackhawks
It’s hard to say this and I hope I’m wrong but the Hawks days as one of the best teams in the league may over.
Their core is aging and they lost some very important pieces. Panarin, Hjalmarsson, Hossa, Kruger and more are gone. In to replace them are the return of Saad and Sharp upfront and Murphy in the backend.
Their core is still unreal so they have a shot at winning the division again and if OHL superstar Alex DeBrincat can produce in the NHL then they have a great chance.
Best Odds for Blackhawks to win the Central
Canada: 4.20 Odds at 888 Sports
USA: Odds aren’t up yet but we advise Bovada
Everyone Else: 4.20 Odds at 888 Sports
Minnesota Wild
The Wild are a deep team but they lack a true sniper.
Eric Staal had a great year and he will need that again to keep this team at the top of the standings.
Suter is a beast and could play the whole game if they asked him but after him and Spurgeon the D gets a little thin. Dubnyk can be amazing at times and will need to be consistent this year.
Best Odds for Wild to win the Central
Canada: 5.51 Odds at Sports Interaction
USA: Odds aren’t up yet but we advise Bovada
Everyone Else: 5.50 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
St. Louis Blues
The Blues are a team that has the pieces to be an amazing team but for one reason or another they can’t seem to get it done.
The got Brayden Schenn to be their top line center which was a strange move in my books. But the have Tarasenko who is an unbelievable player and game changer.
The D is strong and top of the league with Pietrangelo, Bouwmeester and Parayko. Jake Allen improved as the year went on too and they’ll need him playing at Vezina trophy level to win the Central.
Best Odds for Blues to win Central
Canada: 8.00 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
USA: Odds aren’t up yet but we advise Bovada
Everyone Else: 8.00 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Winnipeg Jets
Patrik Laine. All conversations about the Jets should start and end with him. He is an incredible player and I’m excited to see how he follows up his rookie season.
They do have a bright future but when will the future get here for them? The added Steve Mason as their starter while the wait for Hellebuyck to become their guy.
Not enough improvement for the Jets for them to win the division in my opinion.
Jets best odds to win the Central
Canada: 13.50 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
USA: Odds aren’t up yet but we advise Bovada
Everyone Else: 13.50 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Colorado Avalanche
Not sure what to say about the Avalanche. They had the worst season since the salary cap was introduced.
They need a complete do over on their roster while their players still could fetch them so great pieces moving forward but they did nothing. By keeping Duchene and Landeskog shows that this team needs some new management. No disrespect to the hall of fame Joe Sakic but he really dropped the ball here
Best Odds for Avalanche to win the Central
Canada: 34.00 Odds at Sports Interaction
USA: Odds aren’t up yet but we advise Bovada
Everyone Else: 34.00 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
