Metropolitan betting preview: The best division in hockey?
We've already previewed the Atlantic Division, so let's look at the other teams in the Eastern Conference.
The Metropolitan Division boasts two of the top four Stanley Cup favorites and four clubs priced under +2000 to win it all, making it - in oddsmakers' eyes - the best division in hockey.
The Hurricanes are the favorites to hoist the Cup, and the Devils share the third shortest odds with the Oilers.
Futures odds
| Team | Stanley Cup | Eastern Conf. | Metro Div. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricanes | +700 | +450 | +180 |
| Devils | +900 | +550 | +230 |
| Rangers | +1400 | +800 | +400 |
| Penguins | +1800 | +1200 | +650 |
| Islanders | +6000 | +2500 | +1500 |
| Capitals | +7500 | +3000 | +2500 |
| Blue Jackets | +15000 | +8000 | +10000 |
| Flyers | +20000 | +8000 | +10000 |
All odds via theScore Bet and are subject to change.
The Canes narrowly edged the Devils for the division crown last season and made it to the Eastern Conference Final before getting swept by the Panthers. They didn't lose anyone notable in the offseason but managed to bolster their blueline by signing Dmitry Orlov.
The Devils have one of the youngest rosters in the league and added two top-line forwards to their opening-day roster from last year. They re-signed Timo Meier, who they acquired at the previous trade deadline, and traded for Tyler Toffoli in the offseason after his 73-point 2022-23 campaign with the Flames.
The Rangers and Penguins are expected to be the next two best teams in the Metropolitan.
New York went for it all last season by acquiring Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko before the deadline. However, it was ousted in the first round of the playoffs, and neither of those names are on the roster heading into this campaign. Blake Wheeler and Nick Bonino are the team's two biggest offseason additions, meaning the Rangers will likely need Vezina Trophy candidate Igor Shesterkin to be the league's best goalie for a second time to make some noise.
The Penguins made a splash by landing Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson in what could be the last best chance Pittsburgh has of winning another Cup with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin up the middle.
To Make The Playoffs
| Team | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricanes | -1000 | +550 |
| Devils | -750 | +450 |
| Rangers | -500 | +340 |
| Penguins | -200 | +160 |
| Islanders | +100 | -130 |
| Capitals | +225 | -310 |
| Blue Jackets | +900 | -2000 |
| Flyers | +600 | -1200 |
The betting market believes the top four teams in the Metropolitan have a great chance of making the playoffs. The Penguins -200 odds (66.7% implied probability) are the longest of the group.
The Islanders, who have made the postseason in four of the past five seasons, are sitting at even money to clinch a playoff spot. Their +2500 odds of winning the Eastern Conference puts them in the same neighborhood as the Senators and Red Wings, according to the betting market.
The aging Capitals, who missed the playoffs for the first time last campaign since the 2013-14 season, aren't expected to contend with the Hurricanes or Devils but are given a 30.8% chance of making the playoffs.
As for the Blue Jackets and Flyers, they're expected to be two of the worst teams in the league.