The NHL Central Division features one of the most successful teams in the recent history of the NHL in the Colorado Avalanche. But there are plenty of other competitive teams to take part in the competition in this division as well in the 2023-24 season, setting up what should be an interesting season in this Western Conference division.
Central Division Betting Odds
Central Division Favorites
The favorites to win the NHL Central Division this season are the Dallas Stars. They have taken the lead in this division by being the most consistent of its three contenders both at home and on the road. However, the Stars still have some competition to deal with in the form of the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche, both of whom are still well within striking distance as they look to catch up to the Stars.
The different styles of play for these three teams will be interesting to monitor over the course of the season. The Avalanche rely more heavily on their offense, the Jets more on their defense, while the Stars are the most balanced of these three teams. Which of those styles wins out is anyone’s guess as the NHL season continues.
Central Division Longshots
The other five teams in the Central comprise the longshots to win this division. The Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, Arizona Coyotes, and Chicago Blackhawks are all being given very little chance to come out on top in the Central. Having already fallen behind the top-three in this group of teams, it would take a massive hot streak for any of these five teams to come out on top. But there will still be some interesting storylines to monitor in this group, such as the progression of Connor Bedard as the young future of the Blackhawks franchise.
So far this year, Bedard’s presence in Chicago has not been enough to keep Chicago from being one of the worst teams in the NHL. Bedard did miss some time this season due to injury, but even with him on the ice, the rest of the Blackhawks have not been good enough to help Bedard adequately. But Bedard maturing and the organization getting him some help could change that narrative in future seasons.