Can any team catch the champs? The Colorado Avalanche just won the Stanley Cup, and they're heavily favored to take the Central Division in 2022-2023. Let's examine the Central Division with our odds, picks, and predictions.
The way that the Central Division is priced, it's almost a foregone conclusion the Avalanche will once again take the top spot. But that doesn' take into account the unpredictable nature of the sport. The Avalanche finished six points ahead of the Minnesota Wild in 2021-22, close enough that goaltending or injuries to star players could close that gap.
The Wild ranked sixth in five-on-five expected goals percentage in 2021-22 while leading the Central Division. The Avalanche finished 10th. Beyond that, the Stars ranked 13th, the Predators 16th, the Jets 17th, and the Blues 19th. At the bottom, the Blackhawks were 29th and the Coyotes ranked 32nd. That suggests the division should be relatively competitive in spots two through six, but maybe one of those teams will be able to surprise and challenge the Avalanche.
Odds via at DraftKings Sportbook, FanDuel Sportsbook, Caesars Sportsbook, BetMGM, PointsBet, and Barstool.
Top Central Division Odds and Picks
| DraftKings | FanDuel | Caesars | BetMGM | PointsBet | Barstool |
| -150 | -160 | -140 | -164 | -175 | -200 |