NHL training camps are in full swing, and with it, a statistically significant uptick at the population level in Zamboni accidents. But that’s not what we’re here for, is it?
No, we’re here for another banner year in the National Hockey League, where everything new is old again: new old divisions aligned, new old 82-game schedule in place, new old Buffalo Sabres missing the playoffs. It’s nice to see the timeless classics are back in style.
Let’s have us a little spin through 2021-22 season points totals, shall we? After kicking things off with the Atlantic Division, we move to the Metropolitan.
According to PointsBet USA sports analyst Michael Korn, there aren’t any surprises in the early NHL betting action. The Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, and two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning lead the way in terms of number of Stanley Cup futures tickets written at PointsBet.
On the handle side of things, it’s Avs, Lightning, and Golden Knights. As for season point totals, betting on Colorado has been robust enough to push the Over to -140.
All odds are per PointsBet USA as of 7:30 p.m. ET on Oct. 6.
New York Islanders
2020-21 season: 32-17-7 (71 points). 4th in East; eliminated in Stanley Cup semifinals by Tampa Bay
NHL Season Point Totals: 99.5 (Over -135 / Under +105)
The Isles mostly tended their own garden in the offseason, but they did bring back real-life Game of Thrones frost giant Zdeno Chara, so there’s at least size on the blue line for as many minutes as the 44-year-old can give them.
For two years running, the Islanders have been bounced in the playoffs by the champs, but if they replicate last year’s mark (a 104-point pace), they’ll at least clear the 100-point hurdle. New York has done just that in three of the last five full seasons.
New York Rangers
2020-21 season: 27-23-6 (60 points). 5th in East; missed playoffs
NHL Season Point Totals: 97.5 (Over -110 / Under -120)
Underachieving seems to follow wherever James Dolan dares to tread. The Blueshirts have had seven first-round picks since 2017, including Nos. 1 and 2 overall in 2020 and 2019, respectively, but have zero playoff appearances to show for it.
They have the talent stockpiled to maybe make the leap in 2021-22 but haven’t cracked 98 points (or the equivalent) since 2016-17. The Rangers did pick up Gerard Gallant to coach the squad, and Gallant had the Golden Knights ready to play from the jump in their inaugural season. He’s reunited with Vegas goon Ryan Reaves, in a play to grit-ify the roster.
Pittsburgh Penguins
2020-21 season: 37-16-3 (77 points). 1st in East; eliminated in 1st round by New York Islanders
NHL Season Point Totals: 96.5 (Over -105 / Under -125)
At some point, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have to age. Unfortunately for them, Pittsburgh’s goaltending situation might be the thing to do it.
Tristan Jarry last year ranked 32nd in goals-against average and 26th in save percentage among qualifying goalies, which is typically not where one wants to be in a 31-team league. Luckily for the Pens, it’s a 32-team league this year. Now who’s numbers look bad?
Speaking of numbers, this projected point total is telling, considering Pittsburgh has tallied at least 98 points in six straight 82-game seasons and 12 of the last 13 dating to 2006-07. Clearly, the betting market believes Father Time really is coming for Crosby and Malkin.
Carolina Hurricanes
2020-21 season: 36-12-8 (80 points). 1st in Central; eliminated in 2nd round by Tampa Bay
NHL Season Point Totals: 95.5 (Over -135 / Under +105)
If you understand what the ‘Canes did in the offseason, you must be GM Rod Brind’Amour. They dumped their entire goalie corps, trading Alex Nedeljkovic to Detroit and letting Petr Mrazek and James Reimer sign elsewhere while bringing in Frederik Andersen (Toronto) and Antti Raanta (Arizona) to mind the net.
They also let defenseman Dougie Hamilton walk and spent $6 million to offer sheet center Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Is the added pop worth the potential downgrade in net? The juice on the over suggests it might be (although Carolina has topped 95 points just twice winning the Cup in 2005-06).
Washington Capitals
2020-21 season: 36-15-5 (77 points). 2nd in Central; eliminated in 1st round by Boston
NHL Season Point Totals: 95.5 (Over -115 / Under -115)
Alexander Ovechkin will play until he’s 50 and he will still be outdrinking the Caps’ 2035 draft picks. Before firing on the Under here, take note: The last time the Caps finished with less than 100 points (or the equivalent) was the 2013-14 season.
Philadelphia Flyers
2020-21 season: 33-16-7 (73 points). 3rd in East; eliminated in 2nd round by New York Islanders
NHL Season Point Totals: 92.5 (Over -115 / Under -115)
The Flyers fortified their blue line by adding defensemen Ryan Ellis, Keith Yandle, and Rasmus Ristolainen, as well as right wing Cam Atkinson. They also picked up goalie Martin Jones, because apparently no one in Philly stayed up late enough to watch Sharks games the last couple of years.
In last year’s pandemic-shortened 56-game season, the Flyers were on pace for 85 points. However, they’re just a season removed from a 96-point-equivalent campaign. In fact, if Philadelphia continues a trend that has seen the team finish with 94-plus points (or the equivalent) every other year since 2011-12 continues, the Over would be live here.
New Jersey Devils
2020-21 season: 19-30-7 (45 points). 7th in East; missed playoffs
NHL Season Point Totals: 90.5 (-Over 105 / Under -125)
Give coach Lindy Ruff credit for having this team ready to play hard last year. And the upcoming squad has added reinforcements in goaltender Jonathan Bernier, forward Tomas Tatar, and defensemen Dougie Hamilton, Christian Jaros, and Ryan Graves. Those additions probably are why oddsmakers are high on New Jersey, which has cracked the 90-point threshold just once since 2012-13.
The Devils also drafted Luke Hughes after they already took his brother, Jack, first overall in 2019. Somewhere, David Puddy is bragging about the Hughes dynasty to come.
Columbus Blue Jackets
2020-21 season: 18-26-12 (48 points). 8th in Central; missed playoffs
NHL Season Point Totals: 76.5 (Over -115 / Under -115)
Columbus has the fourth-lowest points total on offer from PointsBet after finishing dead last in a division that only sported three teams over .500. The Blue Jackets jettisoned coach John Tortorella and traded mainstay defensemen Seth Jones. Fellow veteran defenseman Zach Werenski is the last guy at the party who was so busy trying to pick up a girl he didn’t notice all his friends took off. Now the lights are on, and he doesn’t know how he’s going to get home.
The rebuild has begun in Columbus, and 77 points could be a reach — just like it was for the franchise’s first six seasons of existence.
