NHL Metropolitan Division Winner Odds, Favorites to Win, Best Bets 2024/25: Washington Capitals Join the Race for the Division Title

• The Carolina Hurricanes are the new 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

• The Washington Capitals rank above league average in both Expected Goals For and Expected Goals Against

Even though the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils are tied for first in the Metropolitan division standings with 22 points apiece, the Hurricanes have the edge as they boast a higher point percentage in fewer games played. Should Carolina want to break free from the pack and grow their lead at the top of the standings, then their offense will need to sustain their high level of play as their defense continues to rank below league average in Expected Goals Against in All Situations.

Speaking of the Devils, they are arguably one of the most well balanced teams in the league as they rank above league average in both Expected Goals For and Expected Goals Against in All Situations while also getting the benefit of fielding two productive goalies. The Washington Capitals also excel at all three levels of the ice and their odds to win the division title continue to grow. Factor in the New York Rangers still being a viable contender and the Metropolitan may be the most exciting division title race in the league.

NHL Metropolitan Division Winner Odds 2024/25

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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 (+120) at FanDuel

With the New York Rangers steadily regressing on offense, the Carolina Hurricanes are now the new league leaders in Expected Goals For in All Situations with an average of 4.05 Expected Goals per game. Every bit of their offensive production has been needed this season to grab the top spot in the Metropolitan division standings as their defense continues to rank below league average in Expected Goals Against in All Situations.

Fortunately for the Hurricanes, their goaltending has managed to mask their lack of defensive production as Pyotr Kochetkov is averaging 2.45 Goals Against per game and a Save Percentage of .902 while Frederik Andersen is averaging 1.49 Goals Against while generating a Save Percentage of .941. Should Carolina’s back line elevate their level of play to help compliment their red hot offense, then the Hurricanes will be one of the top contenders built to make a deep run in the playoffs.

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New Jersey Devils (+400) at BetMGM

Even though the New Jersey Devils rival the Carolina Hurricanes for first in the division, their position at the top of the standings is vulnerable as they have had the benefit of playing in more games. Even with regression in the division standings looming, the Devils have arguably been one of the more well rounded teams in the league as they continue to rank above league average in both Expected Goals For and Expected Goals Against in All Situations.

Scarier yet, the Devils also get the benefit of fielding two productive goalies who continue to play at a high level. As of writing, both Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen rank top-20 in average Goals Against per game while generating a combined Save Percentage of .908. Should New Jersey continue to maintain their high level of play at all three levels of the ice, then the Devils will have a great opportunity to win the Metropolitan division title as well as find themselves competing for the Stanley Cup at the end of the year.

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Washington Capitals (+1000) at FanDuel

Arguably one of the bigger surprises in the league this season, the Washington Capitals continue to climb up the oddsboard for the Metropolitan division title after a hot start to their year. Their advanced metrics also back up their early season success as the Capitals are one of the few teams in the league who rank above league average in both Expected Goals For and Expected Goals Against in All Situations.

Not only have the Capitals excelled on both sides of the ice, but they have also received consistent production from their pair of goaltenders. As of writing, Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren are averaging a combined 2.65 Goals Against per game and a .904 Save Percentage. While their current listed odds have Washington pegged as a longshot to win the Metropolitan, their current metrics say otherwise as the Capitals may actually be a viable contender for the division title.

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Who Will Win the Metropolitan Division - My Pick 

New York Rangers (+270) at Caesars

After making it to the Eastern Conference Finals last year, the New York Rangers entered the 2024-2025 season with deep playoff run potential after maintaining a majority of their roster throughout the offseason. Their continuity has paid immediate dividends on offense as their front line continues to rank near the top of the board in Expected Goals For in All Situations by averaging 4.04 Expected Goals per game.

Unfortunately for the Rangers, their continuity has yet to show on defense as their back line currently ranks 26th overall in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. While Vezina Trophy contender Igor Shesterkin has managed to mask their lack of defensive production with his own high level of play in net, the Rangers are in desperate need of their back line improving in Expected Goals Against should they want to remain in contention for the Metropolitan division title.

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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 NHL betting sites 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 +270 at Caesars and as low as +230 at FanDuel. That is a difference of $40 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. FanDuel Sportsbook for example is giving new users $150 in bonus bets after creating an account and winning their first bet of at least $5.

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 +270, then a $100 wager would profit you $270 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.