NHL Betting Lines: Odds to Make the Playoffs

The marathon of the NHL season is getting set to start and with that in mind, sportsbooks are starting to release lines on season-long props. One of my favorites to bet on is whether a team will make the playoffs. Below are my favorite value bets and a couple of teams to avoid completely for the time being as their situations are not yet clear.

Rangers to Not Make Playoffs +215

This is my favorite bet on the board. New York’s roster is an absolute mess and their price to make the playoffs is super inflated because of the market they play in. There are some teams on the rise in the Eastern Conference and I think this is the year the Rangers finally fall off the cliff they’ve been clinging to the last couple of years.

I believe this team gets off to a bad start and becomes a seller at the deadline. Henrik Lundqvist is still without a Stanley Cup ring so he could be dealt to a team like the Stars who are in desperate need of a legit No. 1 goalie. If that were to happen, the Rangers would be dead in the water.

Avalanche to make the playoffs +150

Colorado finished just out of the playoffs last year with 82 points under the guidance of Patrick Roy, who was a less than desirable leader. They have hired Jared Bednar to take over head coaching duties in lieu of the volatile former Vezina Trophy winner and are now in a much better spot to compete with the former NHLer in charge.

Jets to make the playoffs -115

Although they finished nine points out of the playoffs last year, the Jets should be right on the bubble this season. Future superstar Connor Hellebuyck is going to get a chance to prove his case for being the team’s No. 1 goalie and the young stars on Winnipeg like Mark Scheifele, Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers are set up to have big seasons.

Stay away from the Red Wings

Detroit is one of the teams that’s on the fringe but is not offering enough value on either side of the line to make for an attractive wager. They have major salary cap issues as they are currently over $4 million over the limit, are far too weak at the back end and have too many skilled forwards for them all to get significant ice time.

This could be a rough season in Detroit unless they make some serious moves to clear up some of the issues they are facing.

Here’s the complete list of odds for teams to make the playoffs or not on Bovada:

Will the Anaheim Ducks Make the Playoffs

• Yes -175
• No +145

Will the Arizona coyotes Make the Playoffs

• Yes +400
• No -600

Will the Boston Bruins Make the Playoffs

• Yes -165
• No +135

Will the Buffalo Sabres Make the Playoffs

• Yes +240
• No -300

Will the Calgary Flames Make the Playoffs

• Yes +115
• No -145

Will the Carolina hurricanes Make the Playoffs

• Yes +300
• No -400

Will the Chicago Blackhawks Make the Playoffs

• Yes -800
• No +500

Will the Colorado Avalanche Make the Playoffs

• Yes +150
• No -180

Will the ColUmbus Blue Jackets Make the Playoffs

• Yes +275
• No -350

Will the Dallas Stars Make the Playoffs

• Yes -280
• No +220

Will the Detroit Red Wings Make the Playoffs

• Yes +125
• No -155

Will the Edmonton Oilers Make the Playoffs

• Yes +125
• No -155

Will the Florida Panthers Make the Playoffs

• Yes -280
• No +220

Will the Los Angeles Kings Make the Playoffs

• Yes -300
• No +240

Will the Minnesota Wild Make the Playoffs

• Yes -140
• No +110

Will the Montreal Canadiens Make the Playoffs

• Yes -165
• No +135

Will the Nashville Predators Make the Playoffs

• Yes -280
• No +220

Will the New Jersey Devils Make the Playoffs

• Yes +250
• No -325

Will the New York Islanders Make the Playoffs

• Yes -250
• No +195

Will the New York Rangers Make the Playoffs

• Yes -275
• No +215

Will the Ottawa Senators Make the Playoffs

• Yes +250
• No -325

Will the Philadelphia Flyers Make the Playoffs

• Yes -150
• No +120

Will the Pittsburgh Penguins Make the Playoffs

• Yes -800
• No +500

Will the San Jose Sharks Make the Playoffs

• Yes -700
• No +475

Will the St. Louis Blues Make the Playoffs

• Yes -800
• No +500

Will the Tampa Bay Lightning Make the Playoffs

• Yes -850
• No +525

Will the Toronto Maple LEafs Make the Playoffs

• Yes +250
• No -325

Will the Vancouver Canucks Make the Playoffs

• Yes +200
• No -260

Will the Washington Capitals Make the Playoffs

• Yes -1000
• No +600

Will the Winnipeg Jets Make the Playoffs

• Yes -115
• No -115