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 previously looking at the Atlantic, Metropolitan, and Central divisions, we wrap things up with the Pacific.
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.
All odds are per PointsBet USA as of 11 a.m. ET on Oct. 8.
Vegas Golden Knights
2020-21 season: 40-14-2 (82 points). 2nd in West; eliminated in semifinals by Montreal
Projected points total: 106.5 (Over +100/Under -130)
The franchise is too young to have accumulated much real heartbreak, but Marc-Andre Fleury’s brutal Game 3 turnover in the semis last year stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Sharks popping four goals during a 5-minute major penalty to wipe out the VGK in Game 7 of the 2018-19 first round. (A call so egregious the league later called to apologize).
Still, Vegas is loaded with talent in front of Robin Lehner, who takes over as the true No. 1 goalie. Last year’s absurd 82 points in 56 games equated to 120 points in a full season, and this year Vegas won’t have to duke it out with Colorado for division supremacy. Note, too, that other than the Oilers, no team in this division made the playoffs last year. Cleary, the Kraken had some serious barriers to making last year’s tournament, but technically, they did not make the playoffs.
Edmonton Oilers
2020-21 season: 35-19-2 (72 points). 2nd in North; eliminated in 1st round by Winnipeg
Projected points total: 99.5 (Over -105/Under -125)
Two things are true about Edmonton. One, they still have Connor McDavid, who is the Mike Trout of the NHL both in undisputed excellence and in being buried on a team where no one really gets to see him. (Although at least the Oilers had a playoff sighting.) And two, this team absolutely despises the idea of competent goaltending. They’re rolling with Mike Smith, who despite having a fantastic year last year, suffers from a debilitating case of being 39.
The last time Edmonton topped the century mark in points? The 2016-17 season (103). The last time before that? Gotta go back to a six-run from 1981-82 to 1986-87, when some dude named Gretzky was skating around the ice.
Seattle Kraken
2020-21 season: A twinkle in Ron Francis’ eye
Projected points total: 92.5 (Over -115/Under -115)
Welcome, new kid. On pricing out the Kraken, Korn said: “We opened the total at 92.5, then it got pushed down to 91.5 before shooting all the way up to 94.5.” And now? Back down to 92.5. Clearly there are some strong (and differing) opinions on the Kraken.
We’re not sure what’s weirder: that Seattle didn’t make any expansion trades when filling out its roster, or that a screamy line in a bro-fave movie from 15 years ago left enough of a zeitgeist mark to name an entire sports franchise over.
Calgary Flames
2020-21 season: 26-27-3 (55 points). 5th in North; missed playoffs
Projected points total: 92.5 (Over +100/Under -130)
Calgary certainly is an NHL franchise that exists. It doesn’t ever really feel like there’s much more to say about the Flames, does it? Captain Mark Giordano goes to Seattle and is replaced by fellow defenseman Nikita Zadorov, a decent pickup from Chicago. Last year’s Corsi put the Flames seventh in the league, so hey, there’s something exciting for Calgary backers.
As for recent history, the Flames have gone over this points total three times in the last decade: 2018-19 (107), 2016-17 (94), and 2014-15 (97).
Vancouver Canucks
2020-21 season: 23-29-4 (50 points). 7th in North; missed playoffs
Projected points total: 88.5 (Over -115/Under -115)
After an offseason that saw a flurry of moves (adding winger Conor Garland and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson from Arizona, losing defenseman Nate Schmidt, goalie Braden Holtby, and right winger Jake Virtanen) it’s hard to say how much Vancouver has improved.
Last year’s 50-point campaign would’ve been worth just 74 in a full season. Only once since 2012-13 have the Canucks tallied more than 83 points (they put up 101 in 2014-15).
Los Angeles Kings
2020-21 season: 21-28-7 (49 points). 6th in West; missed playoffs
Projected points total: 83.5 (Over +100/Under -130)
This is a rebuilding team that didn’t do anything splashy, acquiring center Phillip Danault from Montreal as a free agent and trading for Viktor Arvidsson from Nashville for a couple of picks. Last season was a 72-point pace for Los Angeles.
Of course, everything could change for Los Angeles if it makes a big move for Buffalo Sabres star Jack Eichel, as rumors suggested for months. Well, assuming Eichel can return in the second half after having neck surgery — and assuming he doesn’t quit on the team after two or three close losses in April.
San Jose Sharks
2020-21 season: 21-28-7 (49 points). 7th in West; missed playoffs
Projected points total: 83.5 (Over +100/Under -130)
The good news is they no longer have Martin Jones and his sub-.900 save percentage last year. The bad news is they replace him with James Reimer, who barely skims .900. And forward Evander Kane is under investigation for betting on games and faking vaccine cards. And teal is still a dumb color for a pro franchise to wear.
As for this projected total, it’s clear the betting market believes the Sharks — who finished with 96-plus points 14 times in 15 full seasons from 2003-04 to 2018-19 — are headed for dark times.
Anaheim Ducks
2020-21 season: 17-30-9 (43 points). 8th in West; missed playoffs
Projected points total: 71.5 (Over -115/Under -115)
It’s one thing to be projected as the third-worst team in California. To be projected as the third-worst team in the entire league. That takes some effort. But, hey, the Ducks probably won’t be as bad as Arizona or Buffalo.
