NHL Division Winner Futures 2026–27

Atlantic Division Winner Odds & Analysis

Florida (+215) leads the Atlantic Division futures market despite a 9-5-2 start and 20 points, tied with Tampa Bay and trailing Boston, Montreal and Ottawa in the standings. The Panthers’ odds have lengthened from an opening +140, while Tampa Bay (+245) has shortened from +290 following a 9-3-2 start and a .714 points percentage.

Montreal moved from +600 to +550 and sits at 9-3-3 with 21 points and a 4-0-0 divisional record. Boston (+600) has experienced the most dramatic market change, having opened at +3500 before racing to an 11-4-1 record, 23 points and a +20 goal differential.

Ottawa (+1200) opened at +850 and is tied with Montreal in the standings. Buffalo opened at +900 but has drifted to +1200 after a slow start. Toronto (+2000) and Detroit (+15000) sit further back in the standings and futures market.

Head-to-Head Results and Key Divisional Games

The Atlantic’s leading teams are separated by just three standings points, making upcoming divisional matchups especially important.

Several early-season games could affect the division race:

• November 12: Montreal at Boston
• November 18: Boston at Detroit
• November 28: Tampa Bay at Florida
• December 2: Tampa Bay at Montreal
• December 26: Tampa Bay at Florida

The two Tampa Bay vs. Florida meetings stand out because the Panthers and Lightning are the shortest-priced teams in the futures market. Florida can strengthen its position directly against Tampa Bay, while the Lightning have opportunities to gain points and close the gap between the two teams.

The December 2 matchup with Montreal provides another important test for Tampa Bay. The Canadiens have performed well against divisional opponents and could remain ahead of the Lightning in the standings entering that game.

Boston faces Montreal on November 12 in the first of four regular-season meetings. Those results could become important if the Bruins and Canadiens continue competing near the top of the division throughout the season.

Key Injury Concerns

Florida remains without two key forwards, Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand, who are recovering from knee injuries. Both resumed skating in late October, with Marchand projected to return in approximately five to six weeks and Barkov in four.

Tampa Bay remains without Yanni Gourde following offseason hip surgery, with his return expected in December. Montreal is missing forward Ivan Demidov (lower body), defenseman Mike Matheson (lower body) and goaltender Samuel Montembeault (lower body).

Ottawa faces a significant setback with William Eklund expected to miss 10–12 weeks following ankle surgery. Goaltender Linus Ullmark is also recovering from a lower-body injury, while Toronto is without Kirill Marchenko (lower body), who remains week-to-week, and Max Domi (back).

Metropolitan Division Winner Odds & Analysis

Carolina (-165) opened at +100 in the preseason and has strengthened its favorite status with a 12-3-2 record, 26 points and a +24 goal differential. The Hurricanes have scored 64 goals and allowed just 40 through 17 games.

New Jersey (+265) has gained substantial ground since opening at +750. The Devils are 10-5-0 with 20 points and two games in hand on Carolina. Their October 23 acquisition of Connor Hellebuyck has strengthened their goaltending and shortened their futures price. That improvement also matters when comparing conference futures, although those wagers require a playoff run rather than a first-place regular-season finish.

Washington (+525) opened at +400 and sits at 8-6-0 with 16 points. The Rangers (+5000) opened at +2500 but remain third in the standings at 8-7-1. The Islanders (+6600), Columbus (+6600), Pittsburgh (+10000) and Philadelphia (+30000) round out the division.

Head-to-Head Results and Remaining Schedule

New Jersey’s upcoming November matchups against Washington could influence the Metropolitan Division race and the Devils’ pursuit of Carolina.

Important upcoming division games include:

• November 7: New Jersey at NY Islanders
• November 12: Washington at New Jersey
• November 14: New Jersey at Washington
• November 23: Columbus at New Jersey
• November 25: New Jersey at Columbus

The consecutive meetings with Washington are particularly important for New Jersey. The Devils have played fewer games than Carolina, and additional wins could narrow the advantage that the Hurricanes have in the standings. However, losing ground against Washington would make Carolina’s lead more difficult for New Jersey to overcome.

Carolina has gotten off to a strong start in the division with a 5-1 record, but direct clashes with New Jersey and Washington will become more significant if either challenger closes the gap in the standings.

Key Injury Concerns

Carolina has dealt with several injuries despite its strong start. Captain Jordan Staal suffered a calf tear in October and was initially expected to miss one to two months. The Rangers face a more significant long-term setback. Starting goaltender Igor Shesterkin was ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a lower-body injury against Washington on October 9. Shesterkin’s absence is particularly damaging to New York’s division title hopes.

Central Division Winner Odds & Analysis

Minnesota (+170) has overtaken Colorado as the Central favorite after opening at +330 in the preseason. The Wild are 11-3-3 with 25 points and a +18 goal differential, allowing just 38 goals in 17 games (2.24 per game).

Colorado (+210) opened at +130 but has started 9-6-1 with 19 points. The Avalanche have scored 66 goals in 16 games (4.13 per game), although their 53 goals allowed have contributed to their less consistent results.

Dallas (+400) matches its +400 opening price and sits at 9-5-1 with 19 points, having allowed just 36 goals in 15 games. Utah (+450) opened at +800 and has improved its market position behind a 10-6-0 start and 20 points.

St. Louis (+5500), Nashville (+8000), Winnipeg (+20000) and Chicago (+50000) remain longshots. Winnipeg has struggled at 5-8-3 with a -19 goal differential following the Hellebuyck trade.

Head-to-Head Results and Key Divisional Matchups

Minnesota’s early win over Utah and Colorado’s split with Dallas highlight the importance of early-season head-to-head matchups in a tight Central Division race.

Key upcoming division games include:

• November 25: Utah at Minnesota
• November 27: Colorado at Minnesota
• January 22: Colorado at Dallas
• January 24: Dallas at Colorado

Minnesota can extend its lead over Colorado in their November 27 matchup, while an Avalanche victory would narrow the gap and deny the Wild valuable points. Colorado’s two January games against Dallas could also prove important, particularly with the Stars ahead of Utah in the futures market and remaining competitive through strong defensive play.

Key Injury Concerns

Minnesota has dealt with several key injuries, including Brock Faber (skull fracture), captain Jared Spurgeon (lower body), goaltender Filip Gustavsson (hip), and forwards Marcus and Nick Foligno. Faber resumed practicing on November 5, but his return date remains uncertain.

Colorado is without defenseman Josh Manson, who is expected to miss eight weeks with an ankle injury. Dallas faces a longer absence from Matt Duchene following core surgery, while Miro Heiskanen is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Utah’s defensive depth has also suffered, with Maveric Lamoureux sidelined for four to six months following shoulder surgery, John Marino on injured reserve, and Nate Schmidt dealing with an upper-body injury.

Pacific Division Winner Odds & Analysis

Edmonton (-185) has strengthened considerably from its +175 preseason odds. The Oilers lead the Pacific at 11-2-3 with 25 points and a +19 goal differential, averaging 4.19 goals per game.

Vegas (+175) opened at +180 and remains Edmonton’s closest challenger at 10-5-2 with 22 points. The Golden Knights have scored 58 goals and allowed 49 through 17 games.

Los Angeles (+2500) has drifted sharply from its +750 opening line following a 5-7-2 start and just 12 points. Anaheim (+3300) has also lengthened from an opening price of +550, while Seattle (+5500) has drifted from +4500 despite currently sitting third in the standings at 9-5-1 with 19 points.

San Jose (+6600), Calgary (+50000) and Vancouver (+50000) remain longshots, with the Canucks last at 3-13-1 and a -26 goal differential.

Head-to-Head Results and Remaining Schedule

Edmonton’s 6-0-1 record against Pacific opponents has helped establish its division lead, but upcoming matchups against Vegas, Seattle and Anaheim could influence the race.

Key upcoming Pacific games include:

• November 24: Vegas at Edmonton
• November 27: Seattle at Edmonton
• December 1: Vegas at Los Angeles
• December 4: Seattle at Anaheim
• December 20: Anaheim at Edmonton
• December 22: Vegas at Anaheim

The November 24 matchup carries the most significance, with Edmonton and Vegas separated by just three points in the standings. The two teams have the shortest futures odds in the division. A Vegas victory would narrow the gap, while an Oilers win would extend their advantage. When comparing hockey betting sites, check how each prices that gap between the two leading contenders.

Seattle’s November 27 visit also matters, with the Kraken sitting third in the Pacific at 19 points. December brings additional opportunities for Vegas to gain ground against Los Angeles and Anaheim, while the Ducks face three divisional opponents in a span of three weeks.

Key Injury Concerns

Edmonton placed Zach Hyman on injured reserve on October 28 with a neck injury, while Isaac Howard is expected to miss approximately two weeks with a knee injury. Both absences affect the Oilers’ forward depth.

Vegas has dealt with injuries to Victor Olofsson (lower body) and Parker Wotherspoon (upper body), although goaltender Carter Hart returned on November 2 after missing a few games.

Los Angeles remains without Kevin Fiala, who suffered multiple fractures to his lower left leg during the 2026 Winter Olympics. Fiala has resumed practicing but remains week-to-week, while Adrian Kempe returned to action on November 4 following an extended absence.

Seattle faces a long setback with Jared McCann, who suffered a lower-body injury on October 22. His estimated 10-week recovery could make it more difficult for the Kraken to remain competitive in the Pacific Division race.

NHL Division Winner Trends

The following table shows the NHL division champions over the most recent regular seasons.

NHL Division Winner Trends

The past 10 NHL seasons played under the traditional divisional alignment reveal several notable trends across the Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central and Pacific Divisions. These comparisons cover 2015–16 through 2025–26, excluding the 2020–21 season, when the NHL temporarily realigned its divisions because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Atlantic Division: Six different teams have won the Atlantic Division over the past 10 seasons. Florida leads with three titles, followed by Tampa Bay and Boston with two each, while Montreal, Toronto and Buffalo have claimed one apiece. The division has produced three different champions in the past three seasons and six Stanley Cup Final appearances during the 10-season span: Florida (3), Tampa Bay (2) and Boston (1). Florida also reached three consecutive Finals from 2023–25, winning the Stanley Cup in 2024 and 2025.
• Metropolitan Division: Washington has dominated the Metropolitan Division with six titles, including five consecutive championships from 2015–16 through 2019–20. Carolina has won three, including the 2025–26 title, while the Rangers claimed the remaining championship in 2023–24. Metropolitan teams have also won the Stanley Cup in all four of their Stanley Cup appearances during this period, most recently Carolina in 2026.
• Central Division: Colorado leads with three championships, followed by Nashville and Dallas with two each. Chicago, St. Louis and Winnipeg have won once apiece. The Avalanche captured consecutive titles in 2021–22 and 2022–23 before Dallas and Winnipeg won the following two seasons. Colorado reclaimed the division in 2025–26 with 121 points.
• Pacific Division: Vegas leads with five championships since joining the NHL in 2017–18, including the past two. Anaheim and Calgary have won twice each, while Vancouver has one title. The Golden Knights and Oilers have represented the Western Conference in the last four Stanley Cup Finals.