NHL Metropolitan Division Winner Odds, Favorites to Win, Best Bets 2024/25: Three Teams Stand Above the Rest

• The Washington Capitals are in first place in the Metropolitan with 40 total points

• The Carolina Hurricanes are the current betting favorite to win the Metropolitan Division title

• Carolina’s offense ranks first overall in Expected Goals For in All Situations and in 5-on-5 Play

After entering the year with middling expectations per their preseason odds to win the division title, the Washington Capitals have got off to a hot start and lead the Metropolitan with 40 total points and a .741 point percentage. Not only do their 40 points lead the division, but the Capitals are also currently in a three-way tie for the Presidents’ Trophy. Their offense has played a major role in their success so far this season as their front line currently ranks second overall in Expected Goals For in All Situations.

As for the rest of the field, the Carolina Hurricanes are still the betting favorite to win the division title even though they are in third place with 35 total points. Their offense excels at generating high-quality scoring opportunities as their front line leads the league in Expected Goals For in All Situations with an average of 3.82 Expected Goals per game. The New Jersey Devils meanwhile continue to play at a high level at all three areas of the ice and are building a strong case for being one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup.

NHL Metropolitan Division Winner Odds 2024/25

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.

Metropolitan Division Winner Predictions and Favorites to Win 

With their offense continuing to play at a high level, as well as receiving consistent production from their goaltending, oddsmakers believe the Carolina Hurricanes are in the best position to win the division title.

Carolina Hurricanes (+125) at Caesars

Not only have the Carolina Hurricanes offense continued to lead the league in Expected Goals For in All Situations, but their defense has also steadily improved over the past few weeks of play. As of writing, the Hurricanes back line ranks ninth overall in Expected Goals Against in All Situations with an average of 2.92 Expected Goals Against per game.

With the Hurricanes back line lessening the quality of opposing Shots on Goal at a more consistent rate, Pyotr Kochetkov is in a favorable position to sustain his current marks in net. Kochetkov has excelled in his 16 starts this season as the Hurricanes starting goalie is averaging 2.68 Goals Against per game. With a high level of production at all three areas of the ice, back the Hurricanes to win the Metropolitan division title now before their odds continue to decline.

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New Jersey Devils (+290) at BetMGM

Like the Hurricanes, the New Jersey Devils also excel at multiple areas of the ice as they are one of the few teams in the league who rank top-10 in both Expected Goals For and Expected Goals Against in All Situations. The Devils currently have the largest discrepancy in Expected Goals as their offense averages 3.72 Expected Goals For while their defense averages 2.79 Expected Goals Against per game.

The Devils' goaltending has also been very formidable on a nightly basis as both Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen have played at a very high level this season. In 30 appearances, both Markstrom and Allen rank top-25 in Goals Against per game while possessing a combined Save Percentage of .905. This helps limit the amount of variance in their contests, increasing the Devils' chances of securing the win. Should Carolina and Washington stumble, then be prepared to lay a wager on the Devils to win the division title.

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Washington Capitals (+290) at FanDuel

Arguably one of the bigger surprises of the season, the Washington Capitals currently lead the league in total points after entering the year projected to finish in the middle of the pack. Their offense has helped Washington get off to a hot start as the Capitals' front line ranks third overall in Expected Goals For in All Situations with an average of 3.71 Expected Goals per game.

Unfortunately for Washington, their defense has yet to give them the production they need to be a well-rounded unit as the Capitals back line currently ranks 14th overall in Expected Goals Against in All Situations and 21st in 5-on-5 Play. Their lack of defensive production increases the amount of variance in their contests which hurts their chances of sustaining their current pace of points. Until their defense rounds back into form, pass on the Capitals' current odds to win the Metropolitan division title.

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Who Will Win the Metropolitan Division - My Pick 

New York Rangers (+1500) at Caesars

After bringing back a majority of their roster that led them to the Eastern Conference Finals last year, the New York Rangers have trended in the wrong direction as they are currently tied with the New York Islanders in total points for the last wildcard spot in the playoffs. Their lack of defensive production has hurt their chances of competing for the division title as their back line currently ranks 28th overall in Expected Goals Against in All Situations.

Even with their offense continuing to pace a majority of the league in Expected Goals For, their lack of defensive production hurts their chances of sparking a hot stretch of play. Especially while former Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin continues to fall down the board in average Goals Against per game as he receives minimal support from his defense. Even at their current inflated odds, pass on the Rangers to win the division until their defense drastically elevates their level of play.

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Who Won the Metropolitan Division in 2023/2024?

The New York Rangers won the Metropolitan division in 2023-2024, claiming their second division title since its inception in 2013.

Metropolitan Division History

Since the NHL’s realignment in 2013, only four teams have managed to win the Metropolitan division title. The Washington Capitals are the current leaders with five division titles, followed behind the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers who are tied at two apiece. The Pittsburgh Penguins have also managed to win the division, winning the Metropolitan in 2014. Oddsmakers believe a new name may join them this year as the New Jersey Devils are the current betting favorites to win this year’s division title.

Past Metropolitan Division Winners

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

When making a wager on the Metropolitan Division winner market, it’s important to create an account with as many sportsbooks as you can. This allows you to line shop the market as odds can vary between each book. When betting on the Rangers to win the Metropolitan division, their odds can be found as high as +1500 at Caesars and as low as +1100 at BetMGM. That is a difference of $400 in profit for a $100 bettor.

Another benefit of acquiring multiple sportsbooks is that you can collect multiple signup bonuses to help boost your bankroll. BetMGM Sportsbook for example is giving new users up to $1,500 back in the form of bonus bets should you lose your first wager after creating an account with the WSN promo code WSNSPORTS.

How to Read Metropolitan Division Winner Odds

Before making any type of wager, it’s vital to understand how listed odds work. Should you bet the Rangers to win the Metropolitan division at their current odds of +1500, then a $100 wager would profit you $1500 should they win the division. Should you wait to see if they get off to a sizable lead and are listed with a minus sign in front of their odds (ex: -130), then you would need to wager $130 to profit $100.