Avalanche, Bolts Leading Division Races, Canucks Lead Race for League-Worst Record Heading Into Olympic Break

The NHL has just passed the midway point of the season as it heads into the Olympic break, and several key team races are beginning to take shape. From the battle for division titles and the Presidents’ Trophy to the fight to avoid finishing with the fewest points, the betting markets are already reflecting which clubs are emerging as favourites.

Looking at current performance and standings, it is possible to gauge which teams are most likely to finish at the top of their divisions, claim the Presidents’ Trophy, or struggle at the bottom. The odds highlight the clear frontrunners while also pointing to divisions and teams where the races remain tight and unpredictable.

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The Colorado Avalanche have been dominant heading into the Olympic break, boasting a 37-9-9 record alongside the NHL’s most potent offense at 3.84 goals per game and the league’s stingiest defense, allowing just 2.42 goals against per contest. However, their recent 6-7-2 stretch over the last 15 games raises some concern, suggesting bettors may want to wait for more favorable odds before committing.

While Colorado’s early-season dominance has been impressive, recent history serves as a reminder that regular-season success doesn’t always translate to playoff glory. The 2022–23 Boston Bruins set records with a 65-12-5 campaign, only to suffer a shocking first-round exit at the hands of the Florida Panthers. Despite holding a five-point cushion in both the Presidents’ Trophy race and the Central Division standings, the Avalanche are a reminder that postseason hockey is a different beast entirely.

Close behind Colorado in the Presidents’ Trophy race are the Minnesota Wild, who made a major splash by acquiring superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes and may not be finished reshaping their roster. The Central Division is also home to the Dallas Stars, a team that has reached three straight Conference Finals but hasn’t appeared in a Stanley Cup Final since 2020.

With three legitimate Stanley Cup contenders coming from the same division, the Central has become the NHL’s toughest battleground. Whoever emerges from this group will likely enter the postseason as the team to beat.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are overwhelming favourites to capture the Atlantic Division, and the gap between them and the rest of the field explains why. Traditional challengers such as the Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins have fallen out of contention, leaving Tampa Bay firmly in control.

Trailing the Lightning are young, up-and-coming teams like the Detroit Red Wings, who are chasing their first Atlantic Division title and their first division crown since winning the Central in 2011, and the Montreal Canadiens. Both clubs sit tied at 72 points, six behind Tampa Bay, and are hoping to close the gap. Ultimately, the Lightning’s experience and playoff pedigree should allow them to hold off the youthful challengers and secure the division’s top seed.

Also in the mix for the Presidents’ Trophy is the Metro Division leader, the Carolina Hurricanes, who have surged to a 36-15-6 record and hold an eight-point lead over the rest of the division. Similar to Tampa Bay, Carolina is a heavy favourite in the betting markets because the teams chasing them lack experience. 

The Pittsburgh Penguins sit in second place, led by Sidney Crosby and a very young roster, while the New York Islanders are in third thanks to the impact of rookie sensation Matthew Schaefer. With their combination of experience and depth, the Hurricanes have a strong chance to close out the season with the division title.

The only tight divisional race is on the West Coast, where the Vegas Golden Knights hold a narrow four-point lead over the Edmonton Oilers. Both teams have had inconsistent seasons, with Vegas posting a 27-16-14 record, matching the win total of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are currently well outside the playoff picture.

Rising teams like the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings, who recently added superstar Artemi Panarin, could make this race competitive. The Golden Knights do not have a massive cushion, so the Pacific Division could remain unsettled heading into the final stretch.

The most undesirable race in the NHL this season is the battle to finish with the fewest points, and the Vancouver Canucks are firmly in the lead. After trading key players such as Quinn Hughes and Kiefer Sherwood, and with more potential departures on the horizon including Evander Kane and possibly Elias Pettersson, Vancouver appears to be slipping faster than any other team. The Canucks currently hold an 18-33-6 record, seven points behind the next closest team. 

Their struggles are evident on both sides of the ice, with a third-worst offense in the league tied with the Los Angeles Kings, scoring just 2.54 goals per game, and the league's worst defense allowing 3.65 goals per game. The injury to starting goaltender Thatcher Demko only adds to their difficulties, leaving little hope of improving their position before the season ends.

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