NHL Central Division Odds: Stars Now Favorites Entering Final Stretch

The final stretch of the 2023-24 NHL season is upon us, and the race to the top of the divisions is heating up.

It's been such a competitive year for hockey with surprise teams contending, expected top teams underachieving, and anything else that makes the NHL so unpredictable happening. With around 30 games to go, the race for the Central Division is about as good as it gets for a divisional race.

Let's dive into the Central Division odds on FanDuel Sportsbook.

NHL Central Division Odds

Dallas Stars (+140)

The Dallas Stars have quickly gone from second in the Central Division to first, and they may not look back.

When it comes to this Stars team, there's a lot to like. They play well on both ends of the ice, have strong goaltending, and possess depth up and down their lineup. It's hard to argue that this division should be won by any team but theirs when this season is all said and done. As of this writing, Dallas has a 32-14-6 record through 52 games, good for 70 points to lead the Central Division.

The offense, led by long-time veteran Joe Pavelski, has been among the best in hockey -- surprise, surprise.

Creating opportunities is why the Stars are where they are. Dallas has a 62.94 Corsi For per 60 minutes, ranking eighth in the NHL. Take it one step further with those goals scored, as they rank in the top three with an average of 3.61 Goals For per 60 minutes.

The defensive end has both taken part in their offense and defense, which is why they're at the level they are. Thomas Harley is second among defensemen with 13 goals scored. Defensively, they're limiting teams to 58.37 Corsi Against per 60 minutes. Maybe the only reason that they may struggle to hold onto the division lead is that pucks are still going in their net, though, as they rank 15th in Goals Against per 60 minutes (3.00).

Dallas isn't perfect, and they haven't won this division since the 2015-16 season. Ultimately, betting elsewhere may be more opportune than picking the Stars.

Winnipeg Jets (+165)

For now, the Winnipeg Jets sit in third place, but there's a lot to like about them when it comes to winning the Central.

The Jets have made defense the name of the game, and it's a big reason they're just three points out of the division lead with a few games in hand. A 31-14-5 record through 50 games doesn't say enough about how great this team is.

Let's talk about that defense. With the Vezina favorite Connor Hellebuyck in net, Winnipeg is allowing just 2.30 Goals Against, leading the NHL in that respect. They also sit eighth place in limiting offenses with a 57.74 Corsi Against per 60 minutes.

Where the Jets do have problems is on the offensive end. They aren't as gifted as the Stars or Colorado Avalanche, which is why they're so different within this division.

Scoring sits at just 2.99 Goals For per 60 minutes, placing them 17th this season. It's not ideal, and their Corsi For per 60 minutes (60.81) is just 16th, which is consistent with what their output has been.

The term in sports is "defense wins championships," and ultimately, that's what the Jets are going for. With a few games in hand to catch up to the top seed and a defense that ranks best in the league, this feels like the team to consider betting on in this race.

Colorado Avalanche (+250)

The Colorado Avalanche have been the staple of the Central for the last two years, and yet they find themselves with the third-best odds to win the division.

It shouldn't come as a shock, however, based on their recent trend. What hurts them in this equation is that they've participated in the most games in the division, having played 53 games but sitting in second place with 68 points. The Avs have also dropped three straight games and are 4-5-1 overall in their last 10.

It's easy to be down on this team, but it's the final stretch, and they know what this playoff run consists of. Turning it around (and soon) shouldn't be a problem, which gives them value at +250.

If they're going to win the division, this is likely going to be the lowest we will get them, and they have the numbers to show it can happen at any time. Colorado is an offensive juggernaut, posting a 63.09 Corsi For per 60 minutes (7th) and 3.63 Goals For per 60 minutes (2nd).

It's their goaltending that has led them to any struggles, as they have a strong 57.97 Corsi Against per 60 minutes but allow 3.14 Goals Against per 60 minutes. Alexandar Georgiev has had to play in 44 of their 53 games because of the woes behind him in net, and even so, he's had just a 2.94 goals against average and .898 save percentage.

The Avs have the talent to take back the division lead, but unless their problems in net can be fixed -- which doesn't look likely -- their division streak will be snapped. It's always worth considering them because Colorado can turn it around at any moment. But it's hard to be confident with how the season has gone.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.