The NHL is past the halfway point of the 2022-23 season and approaching its all-star break, so now is a great time to see where each New York team stands and a prop bet that you should look into making on each of the three clubs.
The biggest news from the NY-area NHL teams this season was the New Jersey Devils’ 13-game winning streak in October and November. While they have cooled a bit since, they’ve played good hockey and will likely make the playoffs for the first time in six years.
After a slow start, the New York Rangers have also picked things up, and they are on pace to return to the playoffs as well after advancing to the Eastern Conference Final a year ago. In fact, if the season ended today, the Devils and Rangers would meet in the first round.
The New York Islanders, meanwhile, are going through a rough stretch but are in the mix for one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
NHL Prop Bet for the New Jersey Devils
The Bet: Metropolitan Division Winner, +235 (DraftKings)
Through 46 games, the Devils are 30-12-4 compared to Carolina’s 29-9-8 record. That puts the Hurricanes two points ahead of the Devils with 36 games remaining. After a slow December, New Jersey has responded to go 7-1-2 in their last 10 games and gain four points on the Canes in that span.
New Jersey has also scored 10 more goals and allowed three fewer than Carolina. That gives NJ a goal differential of +40, compared to the Canes’ +27.
The Hurricanes are favored at -230, but at only two points behind, there’s good value in going with the Devils as Metropolitan Division winner.
NHL Prop Bet for the New York Rangers
The Bet: Stanley Cup Champion Original Six Winner, +275 (BetMGM)
Granted, this isn’t just for the Rangers, but taking this bet not only gives you a chance to win the Stanley Cup with last year’s Eastern Conference finalists, but you’ll get two other Eastern Conference favorites as well in the form of the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs. You won’t get much help in the West, as the Original Six team in the Western Conference is the Chicago Blackhawks, and they will not be making the playoffs.
Boston is currently not only running away with the Atlantic Division but the race for the President’s Trophy as well. The Bruins, at a record of 37-5-4, have 78 points, and the next-best team in the league has 66.
Coincidentally, one of the teams with 66 points is Toronto, which is another Original Six team. The Rangers have 59 points and seem to be a safe bet to make the playoffs.
Last year, the Rangers were able to win two Game 7s to reach the Eastern Conference Final, where they took a 2-0 lead on Tampa Bay before faltering and dropping four straight to lose the series.
And any team with a goaltender like Igor Shesterkin has a chance to to make a deep run in the playoffs, so +275 is good value to be able to back three Eastern Conference favorites to win the Stanley Cup.
NHL Prop Bet for the New York Islanders
The Bet: Miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs, -380 (FanDuel)
The Islanders made the controversial decision to let go of head coach Barry Trotz after missing the playoffs last season. The prior two seasons, they reached the semifinal round of the playoffs. Many felt that Trotz earned the chance to stay.
The Isles started the season well. They compiled a 15-8 record by Nov. 26 and sat at 21-14-2 heading into the new year. But with the calendar turning to 2023, the tide turned for the Islanders. Since Jan. 1, New York has won just two of its 12 games and picked up five points in that span.
They have been passed in the standings by Washington and Pittsburgh and are currently three points behind the Penguins for the final playoff spot in the East. In addition, New York is tied with Buffalo and Florida at 51 points. Those two teams have been playing much better hockey than New York.
The Islanders have time to turn things around. FiveThirtyEight’s playoff machine, however, gives New York just a 19% chance at reaching the postseason. That gives you a slight amount of value in a -380 bet at the Islanders missing the playoffs.
