With just a few days left until the 2023/24 NHL season begins, hockey fans and betting experts are still deciding on the main contenders to win the Stanley Cup. After an exciting preseason exhibition, this season is expected to be a corker. But which specific teams should you look out for if you’re hoping to place a winning wager? Consider our selection of the top 5 NHL teams for 2023/24.
The Best Odds & Betting Platforms for the NHL 2023/24 Season
Before we get into our selection of top NHL teams for the upcoming season, you may be wondering where and when you’ll be able to place bets on outcomes for the latest fixtures. The best Ontario sports betting sites are already accepting bets for fixtures from the upcoming season, including those slated for the first week. If you require tips and advice on how to find the best odds for Ontario online sports betting, Quintin from Online-Casinos provides valuable information to help you get started. Remember to stay safe when gambling online and never place bets beyond your means. Also, collecting essential knowledge on team statistics can contribute immensely to your next betting strategy. And with the right casino site and betting odds, things can go only upwards.
Ranking the Top NHL Teams of the Season
Considering the current events, we have rated and ordered the best NHL teams for this season. We will share some short retrospectives of each team’s most vital features and players, which our readers can benefit from. So, let’s discuss the best teams for this season in detail.
Winnipeg Jets
If any team is likely to make it to the playoffs this year, it is Rick Bowness’s Winnipeg Jets, who had a fantastic 2022/23 season and will surely be looking to take names in the rapidly approaching season. The latest embodiment of the Jets is perhaps best known for the presence of goaltender extraordinaire Connor Hellebuyck, who boasted a stunning .920 save percentage last season. As long as Hellebuyck continues to keep those pesky pucks out, Winnipeg Jets fans could be in for a treat. The Jets are scheduled to take on the Montreal Canadiens at the end of the month, which could be a ‘make or break’ barometer of how their season is likely to go in the long term.
New Jersey Devils
Garden State favorites the New Jersey Devils should be the source of plenty of quality play this season, following a dominant 2022/23 campaign in which they managed to bag an impressive 289 goals. As well as landing fifth in the league in terms of pucks in the net, the New Jersey Devils displayed an adept offensive unit coupled with notable defensive prowess courtesy of Akira Schmid and Vitek Vanecek. If last year is anything to go by, this year will be a barnstorming season for the Devils, which is looking even more hopeful for fans since Tyler Toffoli got on board.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes were defeated by the Florida Panthers in the Conference finals last year after losing the star wingers Max Pacioretty and Andrei Svechnikov mid-season. Although they did not take the win, it’s notable that the Canes made it so far in the tournament with two of their major players injured. Now that they’ve had time to refresh and replenish their squad, the 2023/24 season could be even more productive. To see how the Carolina Hurricanes team is shaping up for the new campaign, it’ll be worth checking out their first PNC Arena meeting against the Ottawa Senators. This game is slated for Thursday, October 12th.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs can usually be relied on to provide some top-drawer action on the ice, and this fast-approaching season is no different. Before former GM Kyle Dubas made the move to the Penguins, his signing of Ilya Samsonov was seen as a particularly safe bet. Toronto fans will be happy to learn that Brad Treliving has retained Samsonov for the upcoming season. This should give the Leafs some extra depth for their first game of the campaign when they meet the Montreal Canadiens at the Scotiabank Arena on October 12th. This matchup will certainly be one to look out for if you’re a Maple Leafs fan, as Sheldon Keefe’s squad will be eager to pick up two points in their first fixture of the season.
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers have lifted the Stanley Cup five times in the past – many tipsters expect the upcoming season to provide their sixth win. Edmonton enjoyed a productive 2022/23 campaign, in which they scored +24 more goals than any other team in the tournament. Last season cemented the dynamic duo of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, who provided an injection of much-needed aggression upfront. It’ll also be worth keeping your eye on goalie Stuart Skinner this season, who shone as a rookie last year and is likely to provide a significant impact for this bolstered Edmonton Oilers team.
Previewing the First Game of the Season
The first game of the new season is scheduled for Tuesday October 10th with a clash between Tampa Bay Lightning and the Nashville Predators at Amalie Arena. The Bolts are currently the 60% / 1.5 goal favorites to win the game, which means that the Preds will have to work harder to make an impact on the ice. Although neither of these teams made our final selection of top picks for the upcoming season, the first face-off of the 2023/24 campaign looks set to be a thriller! Suppose you’re thinking of placing a wager on this game or other upcoming NHL fixtures this season. In that case, you’ll find competitive odds at the numerous Canadian sites offering sports betting in Ontario. Good luck, and we’ll see you on the ice!