The Central Division in the NHL consists of 8 teams near the center of the United States and Canada. The division is situated within the Western Conference, and the champion of the Central earns a #1 seed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Last season, the Colorado Avalanche ran away with the division championship for the second straight season. They finished with the second best record in the regular season at 56-19-7.
Five teams from the Central made the playoffs last season, even though two of the teams finished shy of 100 points. This division has produced the Stanley Cup Champion in 2 of the last 4 seasons, and it is always highly competitive and heated.
2023 Central Division Title Odds
- Colorado Avalanche -160
- Minnesota Wild +400
- St. Louis Blues +750
- Nashville Predators +1300
- Dallas Stars +1300
- Winnipeg Jets +2000
- Arizona Coyotes +24000
- Chicago Blackhawks +24000
Central Division Favorites
The Avs are currently building a team good enough to be a dynasty in the NHL. They have won their first Cup since 2001, and they have returned almost all of their core producers from their run last season.