NHL Metropolitan Division Winner Odds, Favorites to Win, Best Bets: Capitals Pulling Away From the Rest

• The Washington Capitals are the current betting favorite to win the Metropolitan division title

• The Capitals lead the entire league in total points and in point percentage

• The New York Rangers' defense ranks 29th in Expected Goals Against in All Situations

After going 7-0-3 in their last 10 contests, the Washington Capitals have grown their lead for first in the Metropolitan division standings. Not only do the Capitals possess a sizable lead over the rest of the division, but they are also the current front runners for the Presidents’ Trophy as well. Their offense has played a major role in their success as their front line ranks top-5 in Expected Goals For in All Situations. Should their defense round back into form, then expect the Capitals to run away with the division title.

As for the rest of the field, the New Jersey Devils are in the midst of a cold stretch of play and have seen the gap between them and Washington steadily grow. A stunning low level of play for a team who ranks top-4 in Expected Goals For and Expected Goals Against in All Situations. The New York Rangers meanwhile have recently revived their hopes of making the playoffs as they are currently just two points back from the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL Eastern Conference wildcard standings for the last wildcard spot.

NHL Metropolitan 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.

Metropolitan Division Winner Predictions and Favorites to Win 

As we near the halfway point of the season, oddsmakers believe only three teams have a realistic chance of winning the division title.

Washington Capitals (-230) at FanDuel

After entering the year listed as a fringe playoff contender per their preseason odds to make the playoffs, the Washington Capitals have blown past their projections as they currently lead the entire league in total points and in point percentage. Their offense has excelled at creating high-quality scoring opportunities on a nightly basis as their front line ranks fourth overall in Expected Goals For in All Situations.

Unfortunately for Washington, their back line has struggled to give them the production they need to be a well-rounded unit as their defense currently ranks 19th in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. While their goaltending has managed to mask their struggles with their own high level of play, regression looms large if they have to continue to wall off an alarming amount of Shots on Goal. Should their defense round back into form, then expect the Capitals to hold on to their lead and win the Metropolitan division title.

Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins

Carolina Hurricanes (+350) at Caesars

Even though the Capitals have grown their lead for first, the Carolina Hurricanes have managed to remain in contention for the division title by winning their last three games in a row. A majority of their success stems from their front line as the Hurricanes offense heads into the second half of the season ranked second overall in Expected Goals For in All Situations with an average of 3.57 Expected Goals per game.

The Hurricanes back line have also played at a competitive level as their defense resides in the top half of the board in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Their coverage has helped Pyotr Kochetkov sustain his high marks in net as the Hurricanes' starting goalie is averaging 2.47 Goals Against per game and a .904 Save Percentage. Should you have bet on Washington to win the division earlier in the year, then consider hedging some of your bet by placing a wager on the Hurricanes at their current odds.

Use code WSNDYW and Double Your Winnings at Caesars

New Jersey Devils (+1600) at Caesars

After going 2-5-3 in their last 10 games, the New Jersey Devils have seen their odds to win the Metropolitan division title plummet. They now have their work cut out for them as they are currently 11 points back from the Washington Capitals for first. Fortunately for New Jersey, positive regression looms large as the Devils rank top-4 in Expected Goals For and Expected Goals Against in All Situations.

Jacob Markstrom has also played at a very high level this season as the Devils starting goalie currently ranks top-5 in average Goals Against per game while generating a .912 Save Percentage. His individual production helps limit the amount of variance in their contests, increasing the Devils' chances of securing the win. Should the Devils be able to sustain their high level of play at all three areas of the ice, then they will be well-equipped to make a deep run in the playoffs.

Double Your Winnings at Caesars With a $1 Wager

Who Will Win the Metropolitan Division - My Pick 

New York Rangers (+20000) at Caesars

After securing points in nine of their last ten contests, the New York Rangers have managed to salvage their hopes of making the playoffs as they are currently just two points back from the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference wildcard standings for the last wildcard spot. Their front line has played a major role in their resurgence as the Rangers' offense ranks seventh overall in Expected Goals For in All Situations.

Should the Rangers want to continue to climb up the wildcard standings, then their back line must drastically elevate their level of play as their defense ranks near dead last in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Even with former Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin back on the ice, the Rangers will be prone to high-variance contests should their backline continue to struggle to protect their net. Pass on their odds to win the division title, but consider making a wager on the Rangers to make the playoffs.

Join Caesars and Double Your Winnings for the Next 10 Wagers

Who Won the Metropolitan Division in 2023/24?

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 online 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 +20000 at Caesars and as low as +15000 at BetMGM. That is a difference of $5,000 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 in bonus bets* should you lose your first wager after creating an account with the WSN promo code WSNSPORTS.

*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.

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 on the Rangers to win the Metropolitan division at their current odds of +20000, then a $100 wager would profit you $20,000 if they win the division. If 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.