2024-25 NHL Futures Odds Betting Guide
With the puck dropping on the 2024-25 NHL season, it’s a great time to evaluate each team’s playoff chances, division title hopes, and potential to win the Stanley Cup. From a betting standpoint, the options are plentiful, but there’s plenty to consider and therefore, it’s a good idea to take things step-by-step.
Step 1. Make Predictions
Once the dust settles on the offseason, I carefully evaluate each team, considering their positional strengths, injuries, and schedules. Then I simulate the season thousands of times to gauge how likely each team is to hit milestones like making the playoffs, winning the division, or hoisting the Stanley Cup.
In the table below, you’ll see the projected point totals, division chances, playoff probabilities, and Stanley Cup odds for all 32 teams as of Oct. 8th:
| Team | Points | Division | Make Playoffs | Miss Playoffs | Stanley Cup |
| EDM | 110 | 69% (-220) | 98% (-6111) | 2% (+6111) | 11% (+795) |
| DAL | 107 | 41% (+146) | 95% (-2117) | 5% (+2117) | 9% (+1034) |
| NYR | 107 | 39% (+154) | 95% (-1808) | 5% (+1808) | 9% (+1071) |
| NJD | 106 | 34% (+197) | 94% (-1467) | 6% (+1467) | 8% (+1088) |
| COL | 105 | 29% (+245) | 92% (-1185) | 8% (+1185) | 7% (+1368) |
| FLA | 104 | 38% (+166) | 90% (-928) | 10% (+928) | 8% (+1232) |
| CAR | 103 | 23% (+341) | 89% (-837) | 11% (+837) | 6% (+1503) |
| NSH | 102 | 17% (+486) | 87% (-641) | 13% (+641) | 5% (+1721) |
| TOR | 101 | 25% (+302) | 84% (-520) | 16% (+520) | 6% (+1670) |
| BOS | 100 | 21% (+385) | 80% (-409) | 20% (+409) | 5% (+1912) |
| WPG | 99 | 10% (+885) | 77% (-331) | 23% (+331) | 4% (+2204) |
| VAN | 98 | 11% (+774) | 78% (-345) | 22% (+345) | 4% (+2484) |
| VGK | 98 | 10% (+869) | 76% (-324) | 24% (+324) | 4% (+2504) |
| LAK | 96 | 8% (+1115) | 70% (-236) | 30% (+236) | 3% (+2833) |
| TBL | 96 | 11% (+832) | 63% (-172) | 37% (+172) | 3% (+3397) |
| MIN | 92 | 2% (+4573) | 45% (+123) | 55% (-123) | 1% (+6797) |
| NYI | 90 | 2% (+5852) | 37% (+168) | 63% (-168) | 1% (+9609) |
| OTT | 90 | 3% (+3222) | 36% (+177) | 64% (-177) | 1% (+9704) |
| DET | 89 | 2% (+4384) | 31% (+222) | 69% (-222) | 1% (+11948) |
| PIT | 89 | 1% (+8909) | 28% (+256) | 72% (-256) | 1% (+13058) |
| PHI | 88 | 1% (+12095) | 26% (+285) | 74% (-285) | 1% (+16849) |
| SEA | 87 | 1% (+10317) | 26% (+285) | 74% (-285) | 1% (+19131) |
| WSH | 87 | 1% (+14393) | 23% (+336) | 77% (-336) | 1% (+19900) |
| STL | 87 | 1% (+19131) | 23% (+344) | 78% (-344) | 0% (+20308) |
| UTA | 86 | 1% (+18768) | 19% (+432) | 81% (-432) | 0% (+30203) |
| BUF | 85 | 1% (+13058) | 16% (+519) | 84% (-519) | 0% (+33233) |
| CGY | 82 | N/A | 11% (+789) | 89% (-789) | 0% (+76823) |
| MTL | 80 | N/A | 7% (+1424) | 93% (-1424) | 0% (+99900) |
| CHI | 75 | N/A | 2% (+4551) | 98% (-4551) | N/A |
| ANA | 71 | N/A | 1% (+16567) | 99% (-16567) | N/A |
| CBJ | 69 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| SJS | 67 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Step 2. Compare Predictions To Betting Market
Sports betting is one of the few areas where you can theoretically gain an edge over the house, as the probabilities are uncertain. By spotting discrepancies between my estimates and the odds offered by sportsbooks, I can identify valuable betting opportunities. So, after generating my predictions, the next step is to compare them to the odds offered by sportsbooks.
Here’s how the market views teams heading into opening night:
| Team | Points | Division | Make Playoffs | Miss Playoffs | Stanley Cup |
| EDM | 108.5 | +110 (48%) | -1400 (93%) | +750 (12%) | +800 (11%) |
| DAL | 103.5 | +225 (31%) | -600 (86%) | +425 (19%) | +1050 (9%) |
| NYR | 100.5 | +275 (27%) | -350 (78%) | +265 (27%) | +1350 (7%) |
| NJD | N/A | +205 (33%) | -425 (81%) | +315 (24%) | +1050 (9%) |
| COL | 102.5 | +235 (30%) | -525 (84%) | +360 (22%) | +1200 (8%) |
| FLA | 102.5 | +225 (31%) | -500 (83%) | +365 (22%) | +1050 (9%) |
| CAR | 100.5 | +260 (28%) | -350 (78%) | +265 (27%) | +1250 (7%) |
| NSH | 99.5 | +425 (19%) | -350 (78%) | +265 (27%) | +1800 (5%) |
| TOR | 102.5 | +260 (28%) | -475 (83%) | +350 (22%) | +1400 (7%) |
| BOS | 99.5 | +500 (17%) | -240 (71%) | +190 (34%) | +1900 (5%) |
| WPG | 98.5 | +400 (20%) | -300 (75%) | +235 (30%) | +1700 (6%) |
| VAN | 96.5 | +700 (13%) | -200 (67%) | +160 (38%) | +2700 (4%) |
| VGK | 96.5 | +625 (14%) | -200 (67%) | +160 (38%) | +2700 (4%) |
| LAK | 99.5 | +380 (21%) | -380 (79%) | +290 (26%) | +1650 (6%) |
| TBL | 98.5 | +500 (17%) | -230 (70%) | +185 (35%) | +2100 (5%) |
| MIN | 94.5 | +1050 (9%) | -135 (57%) | +110 (48%) | +5000 (2%) |
| NYI | 91.5 | +1250 (7%) | -125 (56%) | +105 (49%) | +5000 (2%) |
| OTT | 90.5 | +1200 (8%) | -155 (61%) | +125 (44%) | +4000 (2%) |
| DET | 90.5 | +1450 (6%) | +180 (36%) | -225 (69%) | +4500 (2%) |
| PIT | 90.5 | +1450 (6%) | +120 (45%) | -150 (60%) | +5000 (2%) |
| PHI | 86.5 | +2100 (5%) | +220 (31%) | -280 (74%) | +6000 (2%) |
| SEA | 89.5 | +1700 (6%) | +155 (39%) | -190 (66%) | +6000 (2%) |
| WSH | 87.5 | +1800 (5%) | +170 (37%) | -210 (68%) | +5000 (2%) |
| STL | 86.5 | +2100 (5%) | +205 (33%) | -260 (72%) | +6000 (2%) |
| UTA | 88.5 | +2100 (5%) | +140 (42%) | -170 (63%) | +7500 (1%) |
| BUF | N/A | +1800 (5%) | +190 (34%) | -240 (71%) | +5000 (2%) |
| CGY | 81.5 | +4000 (2%) | +365 (22%) | -500 (83%) | +7500 (1%) |
| MTL | 76.5 | +8000 (1%) | +750 (12%) | -1400 (93%) | +10000 (1%) |
| CHI | 73.5 | +10000 (1%) | +750 (12%) | -1400 (93%) | +15000 (1%) |
| ANA | 70.5 | +15000 (1%) | +1350 (7%) | -5000 (98%) | +20000 (0%) |
| CBJ | 68.5 | +15000 (1%) | +1350 (7%) | -5000 (98%) | +20000 (0%) |
| SJS | 63.5 | +25000 (0%) | +1550 (6%) | -10000 (99%) | +40000 (0%) |
By comparing my predictions to the sportsbook odds, I can find teams where the betting line might undervalue or overestimate a team’s true chances.
Step 3. Shop Around For The Best Odds
In today’s online betting landscape, it’s easy to register with multiple sportsbooks, so there’s no reason not to shop around for the best odds. Even small differences in odds across sportsbooks can significantly increase your potential returns. Taking a bit of time to compare lines before placing a bet is an easy way to maximize profitability.
Here are some of the best bets that I was able to find by shopping around at various Canadian sportsbooks:
Edmonton Oilers To Win Pacific Division
According to the betting market, no gap is bigger than the one between the Edmonton Oilers and the rest of the Pacific Division teams. The Oilers are listed at 108.5 points and the next-best team (Vancouver) is listed at 99.5 points. However, my forecast says the Oilers will finish in first place approximately 69 percent of the time, which compares favorably to the +110 odds offered by Bet99 sportsbook.
+110 at Bet99 – 69 percent chance
Montreal Canadiens Over 76.5 Points
Patrik Laine had plenty of doubters, but oddsmakers had set his regular season goal total at 29.5 heading into this season, so losing a potential 30-goal scorer for two-to-three months hurts the Canadiens. However, even before the acquisition of Laine, Montreal’s roster was good enough to register 76 points, and I believe there’s still a good chance that it’ll be good enough to register at least 77 points this season.
-115 at Bet99 – 69 percent chance
Dallas Stars Over 103.5 Points
While 103.5 points is high, Dallas is one of the most complete teams in the league. The Stars have put up 108 and 113 points, respectively, over the past two seasons and 107 points seems fair. However, if you’re as high on the Stars as I am, betting on them to win the Central Division for the second year in a row at +230 odds might be more appealing.
-110 at Sports Interaction – 64 percent chance
Dallas Stars To Win Central Division
Both Dallas and Colorado are projected to surpass 100 points this season, but the Stars have more balanced scoring, stronger defense, and superior goaltending. Nashville could pop up and exceed expectations, but the bar has been set high following a busy offseason, and Winnipeg will likely take a step back.
+230 at Sports Interaction – 41 percent chance
New York Rangers Over 100.5 Points
It’s rare for a Presidents’ Trophy-winning team to repeat, but it’s also rare for one to return with its core intact. The New York Rangers are doing just that, bringing back six of their seven defensemen and 11 of their 13 forwards—the same group that posted 114 points last season, 107 in 2022-23, and 110 in 2021-22. While their underlying metrics aren’t great, they compensate by starting one of the league’s top goaltenders most nights. Simply put, 100.5 points is far too low for New York.
-110 at bet365 – 63 percent chance
New York Rangers To Win Metropolitan Division
New Jersey was projected to be a 100-point team last season, but they barely cracked 80. Like most, I believe the Devils will hit 100-plus points this season. They looked strong beating up on the Sabres in Prague. Carolina will be another popular pick to finish atop the Metropolitan Division standings, as they always are. Neither team should have better odds than the Rangers, though, but they do.
+275 at Bet99 – 39 percent chance
Minnesota Wild To Miss Playoffs
After posting 113 and 103 points in 2021-22 and 2022-23, the Wild dropped to 87 in 2023-24, missing the playoffs for the first time in four years. Injuries and poor goaltending played a role, but they were also one of the league’s worst offensive teams. Minnesota will probably crack 90 points this season, but I don’t see why they’re being given the benefit of the doubt as playoff contenders. This team is far too mediocre to justify predicting that they will make the playoffs more often than they will miss.
+120 at bet365 – 55 percent chance
Boston Bruins To Win Atlantic Division
Although the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs are the frontrunners for the Atlantic Division, Jeremy Swayman’s signing boosts Boston’s chances of hitting 100 points again, as they’ve done in six of the last seven seasons (excluding the shortened 2020-21 campaign). I might be underestimating the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are also priced at 5/1 to win the division, but the Bruins have better depth and, surprisingly, better goaltending. The Panthers could struggle with a Stanley Cup hangover, and the Maple Leafs remain unpredictable, so don’t count the Bruins out—they usually prove doubters wrong.
+500 at Bet99 – 21 percent chance