NHL 2026/2027 Regular Season Outright Bets

The main hockey event of the autumn is the start of the new NHL season. The biggest question is whether the Colorado Avalanche can once again post the best regular-season record and challenge for another Presidents' Trophy. Other storylines include what to expect from Stanley Cup holders the Carolina Hurricanes and which teams will remain near the bottom of the standings.

This article features up-to-date predictions for the 2026/2027 NHL regular season, bookmaker odds, and the most interesting outright bets on the season's key outcomes — from division winners and playoff qualification to team regular-season point totals.

Odds on the 2026/2027 NHL regular-season outcomes

Atlantic Division

Metropolitan Division

Pacific Division

Central Division

Scores24 outright bets on the NHL regular-season outcomes

Carolina Hurricanes to win the Metropolitan Division

Odds: 2.10

Several respected outlets and NHL analysts rank the Carolina Hurricanes first not only in their division but across the entire Eastern Conference. The advanced Ocelot Analytics model projects 111 regular-season points for the reigning Stanley Cup champions.

Carolina managed to keep the core of its championship roster, while the loss of Frederik Andersen should not have a major impact on the goaltending unit, where Pyotr Kochetkov and Brandon Bussi will compete for the starting role. As has been the case for several years, the Hurricanes' strength is not dependence on one superstar but the depth of the roster. It looks as though their main rival, the Washington Capitals, will find it difficult to keep pace with the league's best team.

Colorado Avalanche to win the Central Division

Odds: 2.30

Colorado rolled through last season's regular schedule, winning the Presidents' Trophy, leading the NHL in scoring with 3.63 goals per game and posting the league's best defensive record at 2.40 goals allowed per game. Even a couple of rough stretches with losing streaks did not affect the Avalanche's final position.

The team retained all of its leaders, including Nathan MacKinnon, as well as arguably the strongest goaltending tandem in the league in Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood. That is where the Avalanche's strength lies. A slightly safer alternative is Colorado Avalanche to finish the regular season above the Dallas Stars at odds of 1.55.

Montreal Canadiens to make the playoffs – Yes

Odds: 1.56

Last year's run to the Eastern Conference Final did not look like a one-off surge. The Canadiens kept Slafkovsky, Hutson, Suzuki and Caufield, and even a small drop from last regular season's 48 wins should still be enough to finish among the top eight teams in the East. That is why the bookmaker price looks attractive for this safer selection.

The progress of starting goaltender Jakub Dobes is also worth noting. In his first full NHL season, the Czech led all rookie goaltenders in wins. There should be less inconsistency in certain stretches and games in 2026/2027, giving the coaching staff fewer reasons for concern.

Los Angeles Kings to make the playoffs – No

Odds: 2.55

This is a significantly riskier option, but there is a convincing case behind it. Last season, after Artemi Panarin arrived and the team changed its coach during the Olympic break, Los Angeles showed not so much elite quality as character and an ability to grind out points. But a -22 goal differential combined with playoff qualification looks more like an exception than a sustainable pattern.

The Kings ranked fourth from bottom in the entire league in goals scored, while their special-teams play placed them in the bottom third of the NHL. In other words, it is difficult to expect a convincing playoff run with numbers like these. Yes, they may still sneak in come April, but the path is unlikely to become any less stressful.

Another issue is the departure of Anze Kopitar, who provided a reliable faceoff percentage, defensive structure and leadership in the locker room. Even without the Slovenian, the Kings remain one of the oldest teams in the NHL. Injuries, fatigue and physical condition all raise questions about whether Los Angeles' ambitions at the start of the regular season match its capabilities. And this season there will be no two-week Olympic break to rest and make adjustments.

Vancouver Canucks regular-season points under 74.5

Odds: 1.86

Even the offseason following a disastrous 58-point campaign has offered little reason to expect a sharp rebound. The loss of Hughes and another projected average of 3.46 goals allowed per game simply make it difficult to expect anything more than another 60-70 points and a battle to avoid last place in the Pacific Division.

The 25 wins projected by NHL experts, even with favorable circumstances, would improve on the 2025/2026 season by 15-20%, but that would still not be enough to clear this line. The risks lie in a successful return from Thatcher Demko and improved production from Elias Pettersson and Marco Rossi. At the start of the regular season, it is difficult to believe that all of those "ifs" will come together.

You can follow game results, up-to-date data and odds in the National Hockey League section of our website.

Odds are shown as of the publication date and may vary depending on the bookmaker's line.