The NHL season is almost here and the sportsbooks are rolling out their props and futures. And at Bodog they’ve unleashed their odds on each team making the playoffs. With 16 of 30 teams bound for the postseason this year that means 14 will end up disappointed and on the golf course in the spring.
If you can figure out on which side each team will land you could make a tidy profit at the sportsbook.
The oddsmakers at Bodog have selected a few teams as near locks to make the playoffs. The defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks and the New York Rangers are the biggest favorites, with both at -1000 to get in and +600 to miss out.
The Lightning follow them at -850/+525, while Anaheim is at -800/+500.
The other two Bodog playoff locks are a little more interesting with Los Angeles and Pittsburgh both at -800/+500. The Kings didn’t make the playoffs last season while the Penguins just slipped in by grabbing the final spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Kings are expected to bounce back this season, but going from out of the playoffs to -800 to get back in could be worth taking a chance on at +500. The Penguins reloaded with Phil Kessel, but there are a few experts out there who have picked them to miss the postseason this year.
Many of the other teams that are favored to make the postseason were there last year and a return wouldn’t be a surprise. In the East that includes Montreal at -280/+220, Detroit at -135/+105, Washington at -280/+220, and the Islanders at -170/+140.
Over in the West the repeat favorites are St. Louis at -300/+240, Nashville at -250/+195, Minnesota at -275/+215, and Winnipeg at -105/-125.
A few teams that made the postseason last year that could have their bubble burst this season include Ottawa at +120/-150, Vancouver at +130/-180, and Calgary at +130/-160.
The Flames are a bit of a surprise as a playoff underdog especially since their Alberta rival, Edmonton, is a playoff favorite at -130/EVEN. The Oilers haven’t been to the postseason since 2006 but the oddsmakers must be expecting big things from Connor McDavid.
Bodog – Odds to Make the Playoffs (Yes/No)
Anaheim -800/+500
Arizona +400/-600
Boston -180/+150
Buffalo +275/-350
Calgary +130/-160
Carolina +300/-400
Chicago -1000/+600
Colorado +250/-325
Columbus -170/+140
Dallas -150/+120
Edmonton -130/EVEN
Florida +190/-230
Los Angeles -800/+500
Minnesota -275/+215
Montreal -280/+220
Nashville -250/+195
New Jersey +275/-350
NY Islanders -170/+140
NY Rangers -1000/+600
Ottawa +120/-150
Philadelphia +250/-325
Pittsburgh -800/+500
San Jose -105/-125
St. Louis -300/+240
Tampa Bay -850/+525
Toronto +250/-325
Vancouver +150/-180
Washington -280/+220
Winnipeg -105/-125