When it comes to the odds where NHL team will win the Central Division in the 2018-19 campaign, it’s only a two-team race in sportsbooks.
The Nashville Predators are the slight +150 favorites to claim the bragging rights at BetOnline, together with the Winnipeg Jets right behind them in +160. Even the St. Louis Blues (+850), Dallas Stars (+850), Minnesota Wild (+850), Colorado Avalanche (+1800) and Chicago Blackhawks (+2000) around things out in the shop.
Who has the edge: Jets or Preds?
While the Predators are a perennial contender in the Central for quite some time, the Jets burst on the scene in a huge way in 2017-18 by submitting a 52-20-10 record — a significant leap from their 40-35-7 revealing two years back. The development of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck provided Winnipeg with all the franchise netminder it has been missing since the group came in Manitoba in 2011. As a result, the Jets signed the Vezina Trophy runner-up to some six-year, $37-million deal in the offseason.
It is difficult to find many weak places on the Jets roster, and a run to the Western Conference finals that led to a loss to the Vegas Golden Knights has convinced the largest non-believers that Winnipeg is the real deal. While the Predators remain an elite team, longtime goaltender Pekka Rinne is beginning to show his age at 35, and I believe Winnipeg is the greater choice here to win the Central.
Blues spent making moves The Blues, who missed the playoffs by a single stage in 2017-18, were in need of a shakeup, and general manager Doug Armstrong did precisely that in a stunning roster overhaul that has his club poised to vastly improve on its 44-32-6 record.
Ryan O’Reilly, David Perron, Patrick Maroon and Tyler Bozak were brought into jump-start a crime that already boasted Brayden Schenn, Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko. The goaltending stays a bit of a question mark, however when Jake Allen can return to form for the entire season, expect St. Louis to contact the postseason following spring.
What happened to the Blackhawks?
Considering the Blackhawks have won three Stanley Cups since 2010, their fall from grace is difficult to believe, yet the +2000 price on them to win the Central speaks volumes. Last year was a nightmare for the’Hawks, as an injury to starting goaltender Corey Crawford in December effectively ended any hope Chicago lovers had of the group becoming competitive. What followed was a 33-39-10 document along with a last-place showing from the Central.
It’s no secret Chicago has had its own fair share of salary cap issues, however general director Stan Bowman has begun to make some moves to free up some space that is badly needed. Barring a miracle, the Blackhawks won’t be in the conversation of Central contenders for the foreseeable future.
Click here. OddsShark’s NHL page has all of the betting information you’ll have to place a little excess money in your pocket to the ice this season.

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