NHL Central Division Winner Odds, Favorites to Win, Best Bets: Minnesota’s Future Looks Murky

• The Winnipeg Jets currently lead the Central division in total points and in point percentage

• Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov has been placed on long-term injury reserve

• The Dallas Stars' Jake Oettinger ranks sixth overall in average Goals Against per game

Heading into the second half of the season, the Winnipeg Jets comfortably lead the Central in total points and in point percentage. Their defense being able to round back into form has helped them hold on to their lead at the top of the division standings, as well as give Connor Hellebuyck the coverage he needs to maintain his high marks in net. Should their offense elevate their level of play and climb up the board in Expected Goals For in All Situations, then the Jets will be in a great position to win the division title.

As for the rest of the contenders, the Minnesota Wild’s future looks murky after it was announced their star forward Kirill Kaprizov has been placed on long-term injury reserve. A massive loss for the Wild as Kaprizov was listed as the betting favorite to win the Hart Memorial Trophy before he suffered the injury. The Dallas Stars meanwhile have started to look like a team built to make a deep run in the playoffs as they currently rank top-4 in Expected Goals For and Expected Goals Against in All Situations.

NHL Central Division Winner Odds 2025

Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook. Click on the odds in the table below to head to Caesars Sportsbook and place your bets. Bet $1 and double your winnings on your next 10 bets with the WSN promo code WSNDYW.

Central Division Winner Predictions and Favorites to Win 

After a hot stretch of play, the Colorado Avalanche are surging up the Central division standings.

Winnipeg Jets (+155) at FanDuel

After going through a prolonged cold stretch of play, the Winnipeg Jets back line have started to round back into form and are creeping back up the board in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. During their resurgence, reigning Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck has been able to sustain his high marks in the net as the Jets star goalie is averaging just 2.02 Goals Against per game and a .927 Save Percentage.

While their defense has steadily improved, their offense has struggled to elevate their level of play as they continue to rank just league average in Expected Goals For in All Situations. Their inability to consistently generate high-quality scoring opportunities brings in more variance into their contests, hurting their chances of sustaining their current rate of points. At their short odds to win the division, pass on the Jets until their offense gives them the production they need to be a well-rounded unit.

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Minnesota Wild (+500) at BetMGM

Generating offensive production has been a struggle for Minnesota this season as their front line currently ranks 28th overall in Expected Goals For in All Situations. To make matters worse for the Wild, Kirill Kaprizov has been put on long-term injury reserve with no timetable for his return announced as of writing. Kaprizov was Minnesota’s main source of offensive production before going down with an injury as he led the team in Expected Goals with an average of 0.49 per game.

While their offense has struggled, their defense has managed to maintain their high marks in coverage as the Wild back line currently ranks eighth overall in Expected Goals Against in All Situations with an average of 2.89 Expected Goals Against per game. Their pair of goalies has played a major role in their success as Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury rank top-20 in average Goals Against per game. Still, without help from their offense, the Wild will struggle to remain in contention for the Central division title.

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Colorado Avalanche (+700) at Caesars

Even after a hot stretch of play, the Colorado Avalanche are still in fourth place in the Central division standings. That means the Avs hopes of making the playoffs hinges on their chances of securing one of the two wildcard spots as only the top three in the division receive an auto berth for the playoffs. Fortunately for Colorado, they possess a six-point lead over the Calgary Flames for the top spot in the NHL Western Conference wildcard standings.

Should the Avs want to climb up the division standings, then their defense must round back into form as their back line has steadily trickled down the board in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Even while combating against regression, Mackenzie Blackwood has been able to maintain his high marks in net as he currently averages 2.56 Goals Against per game and a .917 Save Percentage. Pass on Colorado to win the division for now, but be prepared to lay a wager should their defense elevate their level of play.

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Who Will Win the Central Division - My Pick 

Dallas Stars (+225) at Caesars

At the halfway point of the season, arguably no one in the league is more well-rounded than the Dallas Stars as they currently rank top-4 in Expected Goals For and Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Their high level of play on both sides of the ice has helped limit the amount of variance in their contests, increasing their chances of securing the win and continuing their ascension up the Central division standings.

Jake Oettinger has also played at a very high level this season as the Stars starting goalie is currently ranked sixth overall in average Goals Against per game while generating a .914 Save Percentage. His high level of play in net will play a key role in the Stars' ability to make a deep run in the playoffs as he will be tasked with walling off some of the best offenses in the league. Before that takes place, expect the Stars to continue to chip away at the Jets' lead for first place in the division standings.

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Who Won the Central Division in 2023/2024?

The Dallas Stars won the Central division in 2023-2024, claiming their fourth title since joining the division in 2013.

Central Division History

The Central division has seen plenty of changes over the years, constantly welcoming in new teams as others depart due to realignment. The Detroit Red Wings currently lead the division for most division titles, winning the division 13 times before moving to the Atlantic division. For teams still in the Central, the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues are tied for first with four division titles apiece. The Colorado Avalanche were the last Central division winner to also win the Stanley Cup, winning both titles in 2021-2022.

Past Central Division Winners

How to Choose the Best Sportsbook for Betting on the Central Division Winner

When making a wager on the Central division market, it’s vital to acquire as many sportsbooks as you can get. This allows you to line shop the market as odds can drastically vary between each sportsbook. When betting on the Stars to win the Central division title, their odds can be found as high as +225 at Caesars and as low as +165 at FanDuel. That is a difference of $60 in profit for a $100 bettor.

Another benefit of acquiring multiple online sportsbooks is that you can collect multiple signup bonuses to help boost the bankroll. FanDuel Sportsbook for example is giving new users $300 in bonus bets after creating an account and winning your first bet of at least $5.

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How to Read Central Division Winner Odds

Before making any type of wager, it’s important to know how the listed odds work. Should you bet on the Stars to win the Central division title at their current odds of +255, then a $100 wager would profit you $255 if they win the division. Should you wait to see if they create a gap between them and the rest of the pack and are listed with a minus sign in front of their odds (ex: -130), then you would need to wager $130 to profit $100.