The air is getting a little crisper. Sweaters are starting to re-emerge from deep within closets. And just like that, it’s hockey season again.
The 2023-24 NHL season kicks off this week with no shortage of intrigue. Our FTW crew has already made some bold predictions, power ranked each team and spent way too much time staring at the Vegas Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup rings, but before the puck drops it’s time to set some expectations for every club this year.
We’ve called up Mary Clarke, Charles Curtis and Jordan Tomiyama to join in the fun of analyzing the over/under point total lines at BetMGM. Here’s where we all landed along with playoff odds for all 32 teams.
Let’s get ready to yell about some digital boards and more.
Anaheim Ducks: 68.5 Points
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Last Season’s Record: 23-47-12 (58 Points)
Schuster: Under
Trevor Zegras signed a new three-year deal right before the season began, so at least there’s that.
Clarke: Under
John Gibson trade rumors will dominate the news cycle in Anaheim this season.
Curtis: Under
But it’ll be closer than you think.
Tomiyama: Under
Fun team but this team is still rebuilding.
Arizona Coyotes: 76.5 Points
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Last Season’s Record: 28-40-14 (70 Points)
Schuster: Over
Of the 28 games the Coyotes won last year, 21 came at Mullett Arena. The quirkiest home-ice advantage in the NHL is kinda fun?
Clarke: Under
The Coyotes will be improved from last season, but they’re still a bottom-feader team.
Curtis: Over
I’ll say the Coyotes have a pretty decent season, even if they don’t make the playoffs.
Tomiyama: Under
Only because they play in a college hockey arena
Boston Bruins: 101.5 Points
Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
Last Season’s Record: 65-12-5 (135 Points)
Schuster: Under
No Bergeron. No Krejci. No Orlov. It’s the end of an era in Boston, but not the end of the Bruins contending for the Stanley Cup. They’ll get to 90 points. Anything after that is a strech.
Clarke: Under
I’m not worried about the Bruins, even with the key losses, but they’ll definitely take a step back from their historic regular season.
Curtis: Under
It won’t be by much but I worry the Bruins aren’t the juggernaut they were last year in the reguilar season.
Tomiyama: Under
They’ve lost a few key pieces and their division will be tougher this year
Buffalo Sabres: 92.5 Points
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Last Season’s Record: 42-33-7 (91 Points)
Schuster: Under
No disrespect to my colleagues, but there is so much hype around this team that I can’t help but fade them.
Clarke: Over
Tage Thompson has shown me the light. It’s time for the Sabres to make the playoffs.
Curtis: Over
Music to Buffalo fans’ ears! They’ve got a real shot to compete this year.
Tomiyama: Over
This team will take a big jump and compete for a playoff spot
Calgary Flames: 94.5 Points
Sergei Belski-USA TODAY
Last Season’s Record: 38-27-17 (93 Points)
Schuster: Under
That’s a big number for a team with a ton to prove. It doesn’t help the Flames share a division with Oilers, Kraken, Kings and Golden Knights.
Clarke: Over
The Flames can’t repeat last year’s disasterous effort. Jacob Markström and Jonathan Huberdeau will rebound and the Flames will get back in the playoff race.
Curtis: Under
I don’t know what to make of this team, so I’ll be safe here and take the under.
Tomiyama: Over
Last year was a nightmare. New coach and good vibes this year!
Carolina Hurricanes: 106.5 Points
Sam Navarro-USA TODAY
Last Season’s Record: 52-21-9 (113 Points)
Schuster: Under
100 points is a lock. This team will win the Stanley Cup (as long as they avoid winning the President’s Trophy first).
Clarke: Over
Carolina’s always a lock for regular season success. Will they be able to get over the hump to the Stanley Cup Final? Only time will tell.
Curtis: Over
They’re among the NHL’s best squads.
Tomiyama: Over
Always a fun team and will be Stanley Cup contenders this season.
Chicago Blackhawks: 72.5 Points
Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Last Season’s Record: 26-49-7 (59 Points)
Schuster: Under
Bedard is amazing, but not even Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews were able to carry the Hawks to the postseason in their rookie year. They did, however, lead Chicago to the Western Conference Finals in their second season, so might as well continue the tank now and surround Bedard with some more young talent before the expectations get out of control.
Clarke: Under
Connor Bedard rocks, but even he can’t save this Blackhawks team singlehandedly.
Curtis: Under
Even if Connor Bedard is awesome, the rest of the team will not be.
Tomiyama: Over
Connor Bedard + Corey Perry= have to take the over
Colorado Avalanche: 106.5 Points
Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images
Last Season’s Record: 51-24-7 (109 Points)
Schuster: Over
Yeah, the Central is stacked, but who’s going to slow down this Avs team?
Clarke: Over
The Avalanche will shake the injury bug and be back at the top of the West in no time.
Curtis: Over
They’re too good not to go over.
Tomiyama: Over
Can’t bet against Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.
Columbus Blue Jackets: 73.5 Points
(Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
Last Season’s Record: 25-48-9 (59 Points)
Schuster: Over
Firing Babock before the season is worth at least 10 points by itself.
Clarke: Under
Johnny Gaudreau doesn’t deserve this team.
Curtis: Under
Wonder if they firesale by the trade deadline.
Tomiyama: Under
Bad vibes team even with Mike Babock gone.
Dallas Stars: 104.5 Points
(Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
Last Season’s Record: 47-21-14 (108 Points)
Schuster: Under
Regression is long overdue for this team.
Clarke: Over
Jason Robertson and Jake Oettinger are the truth and the Stars are a sneaky good Stanley Cup contender.
Curtis: Over
A balanced, intriguing contender.
Tomiyama: Under
Too old and will have an off season
Detroit Red Wings: 85.5 Points
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Last Season’s Record: 35-37-10 (80 points)
Schuster: Under
Get ready for the end of the Yzerman Era. It’s coming.
Clarke: Over
The Red Wings were the most active team this summer and made a lot of smart roster upgrades. Not enough for the playoffs, but enough to be better than last year.
Curtis: Over
See the Sabres above, I think they can break through even if they don’t make the postsesaon.
Tomiyama: Over.
I trust Steve Yzerman!
Edmonton Oilers: 106.5 Points
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Last Season’s Record: 50-23-9 (109 Points)
Schuster: Over
McDavid gets all the headlines, and rightfully so, but this team is staaaaacked.
Clarke: Over
The Oilers will always be regular season beasts with Connor McDavid in their pocket.
Curtis: Over
I picked them to win the Cup and have to back it up here.
Tomiyama: Over
Connor McDavid isn’t human, that’s all.
Florida Panthers: 98.5 Points
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Last Season’s Record: 42-32-8 (92 Points)
Schuster: Under
Another team that’ll be thrilled by reaching 90 points and doesn’t need to worry about much else after that.
Clarke: Under
I like the Panthers playoff chances, but I don’t see them taking a big regular season leap this year.
Curtis: Over
I’ll say they barely get over and contend again.
Tomiyama: Under
Goaltending is sketchy and they have injuries to start the season.
Los Angeles Kings: 100.5 Points
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY
Last Season’s Record: 47-25-10 (104 Points)
Schuster: Under
I just cannot get myself to trust this team yet. And, again, the Pacific is just too good right now.
Clarke: Over.
The Kings center depth might be the best in the NHL after acquiring Pierre-Luc Dubois this summer.
Curtis: Under
Something about this team makes me feel they could underachieve … maybe it’s the question mark between the pipes.
Tomiyama: Over
Low key think they can make a deep run in the playoffs.
Minnesota Wild: 96.5 Points
Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Last Season’s Record: 46-25-11 (103 Points)
Schuster: Over
They’re gonna win the Central if the Avs stumble at all. This team is for real.
Clarke: Under
Kirill Kaprizov can only do so much when the Wild are cap strapped for the next few seasons.
Curtis: Over
I think they’re good enough to get to 100 points.
Tomiyama: Under
Impossible to build a good team being in salary cap hell.
Montreal Canadiens: 71.5 Points
David Kirouac-USA TODAY
Last Season’s Record: 31-45-6 (68 Points)
Schuster: Under
Gotta commit to the tank.
Clarke: Under
The rebuild continues apace in Montreal, but they’ll be bad this year as a result.
Curtis: Under
Still rebuilding!
Tomiyama: Under
The Habs are going to be very bad
Nashville Predators: 87.5 Points
(AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Last Season’s Record: 42-32-8 (92 Points)
Schuster: Under
Nashville hockey? In this economy?
Clarke: Over
Juuse Saros will keep the Predators alive in the playoff race longer than they deserve.
Curtis: Under
I might regret this given their goaltending but I’m nervous.
Tomiyama: Under
They play in the same city as Ryan Tannehill.
New Jersey Devils: 105.5 Points
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Last Season’s Record: 52-22-8 (112 Points)
Schuster: Over
Here is your Presidents Trophy team this season. Best of luck in the playoffs, Devils fans.
Clarke: Over
Here’s hoping we’ll see a longer playoff run for this fun squad of kids!
Curtis: Over
They’re so good!
Tomiyama: Over
Explosive offense and will be the kings of New York,
New York Islanders: 92.5 Points
Brad Penner-USA TODAY
Last Season’s Record: 42-31-9 (93 Points)
Schuster: Under
This line feels just a tad too high. 87.5 is the perfect wheelhouse.
Clarke: Over
But just barely. I am growing tired of the Islanders’ style of hockey, but it still finds success in the regular season anyway.
Curtis: Under
I’m on the fence here, but I ultimately think they’re around 90 points.
Tomiyama: Under
Boring squad and Lou Lamoriello is scary.
New York Rangers: 101.5 Points
(Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
Last Season’s Record: 47-22-13 (107 Points)
Schuster: Over
When you have a goalie who can steal wins (and overtime losses), you have to take the over.
Clarke: Over
It’s a big year for Alexis Lafrenière and Kaapo Kakko, but Igor Shesterkin will steal the show once again in New York.
Curtis: Under
As a Rangers fan, I think I’m with fellow diehards who think there’s a real possibility it’s an uneven season even with a new head coach.
Tomiyama: Over
Always trust really good goaltending and talented goal scorers.
Ottawa Senators: 91.5 Points
(Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Getty Images)
Last Season’s Record: 39-35-8 (86 Points)
Schuster: Over
The Sens have so much young talent. This is the year they make The Leap.
Clarke: Under
The Senators have improved, but they’re not knocking on the door of the playoffs just yet.
Curtis: Under
I still don’t think they’re fully built for primetime.
Tomiyama: Over
They need to take a jump and they’ll ignite the Battle of Ontario.
Philadelphia Flyers: 75.5 Points
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Last Season’s Record: 31-38-13 (75 Points)
Schuster: Under
There’s no way they miss out on the No. 1 pick two years in a row…right?
Clarke: Under
Matvei Michkov can’t get to Philadelphia soon enough!
Curtis: Under
Another long season ahead, and hopefully the future is bright.
Tomiyama: Under
Sorry Mary… This team is bad vibes.
Pittsburgh Penguins: 96.5 Points
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY
Last Season’s Record: 40-31-11 (91 Points)
Schuster: Under
Keep everyone healthy, make the playoffs and unleash everything you’ve got once you get there. Don’t be surprised if the Pens are playing for the Cup again.
Clarke: Over
I’m not a believer in this team as a Stanley Cup contender just yet, but the Penguins should be back in the playoffs with the moves they made this offseason.
Curtis: Over
The aging Pens might be pretty, pretty, pretty good.
Tomiyama: Over
Last Dance treatment could end in a Stanley Cup parade.
San Jose Sharks: 67.5 Points
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
Last Season’s Record: 22-44-16 (60 Points)
Schuster: Under
There are so many good teams in the Pacific. The Sharks are not one of them.
Clarke: Under
The tank begins!
Curtis: Under
Ugh, sorry in advance for this season, San Jose fans.
Tomiyama: Under
The rebuilds of all rebuilds.
Seattle Kraken: 92.5 Points
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Last Season’s Record: 46-28-8 (100 Points)
Schuster: Over
Even if they take a step back this year (which I don’t think happens), this is still a team with a ton of juice.
Clarke: Over
Regression could be coming for Seattle, but I’m still high on them as an overall playoff contender.
Curtis: Over
Momentum from last playoffs will carry over.
Tomiyama: Over
Fast team and the Kraken will be a force.
St. Louis Blues: 83.5 Points
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Last Season’s Record: 37-38-7 (81 Points)
Schuster: Over
The bottom of the Central will be bad enough for the Blues to get more points that they probably should.
Clarke: Under
St. Louis sold hard last year at the deadline. We’ll probably see the results of those losses this season in a big way.
Curtis: Under
I’m not seeing how they sniff at 90 points this year.
Tomiyama: Under.
Mid of all Mid teams.
Tampa Bay Lightning: 95.5 Points
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY
Last Season’s Record: 46-30-6 (98 Points)
Schuster: Under
When your goalie who can steal wins is no longer available, hammer the under.
Clarke: Under
Andrei Vasilevskiy’s injury is a tough pill to swallow. The Lightning will be able to weather the storm, but the first few months will be rough.
Curtis: Over
I still think they can be elite even with the goaltending injury issues.
Tomiyama: Under
Andrei Vasilevskiy is hurt and they’ll struggle without him.
Toronto Maple Leafs: 105.5 Points
AP Photo/Chris O’Meara
Last Season’s Record: 50-21-11 (111 Points)
Schuster: Over
Because the bigger the regular season success the harder the playoff fall.
Clarke: Over
Maple Leafs drama is my favorite drama. The team got tougher to play against with their offseason additions, but a cloud will always be hanging over Toronto no matter what they do.
Curtis: Over
See what Jordan said, exactly what I was going to say!
Tomiyama: Over
Elite regular season team but will probably lose in the first round again.
Vancouver Canucks: 90.5 Points
(Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images)
Last Season’s Record: 38-37-7 (83 Points)
Schuster: Under
I have no idea what to make of this team but I’m not sure many people do.
Clarke: Under
Speaking of drama, the Canucks have it in spades this year. Management really sunk this team before the season even began.
Curtis: Over
I’m intrigued and you should be too.
Tomiyama: Under
Don’t trust their goaltending, management or coaching.
Vegas Golden Knights: 103.5 Points
Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Last Season’s Record: 51-22-9 (111 Points)
Schuster: Over
Just hand them the Pacific again already.
Clarke: Over
The reigning Stanley Cup champions should have a smooth sailing back to the postseason.
Curtis: Over
What’s changed since last season? Exactly.
Tomiyama: Over
Stanley Cup champs have a great regular season and dominate the Pacific Division.
Washington Capitals: 85.5 Points
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Last Season’s Record: 35-37-10 (80 Points)
Schuster: Under
Ovi can’t go out like this. Someone do something. Please. Anything.
Clarke: Under
Alex Ovechkin will climb closer to Wayne Gretzky’s record, but that’s the only excitement Washington will see this year.
Curtis: Under
Father Time finally catches up.
Tomiyama: Over
Alexander Ovechkin scores 50 goals.
Winnipeg Jets: 91.5 Points
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Last Season’s Record: 46-33-3 (95 Points)
Schuster: Under
Completely agree with Mary. This team is going to regret doubling down on this roster.
Clarke: Under
The Jets are making a mistake keeping Connor Hellebuyck when the team should look to retool instead. I’m not buying what management is selling.
Curtis: Under
By a hair.
Tomiyama: Over
They locked up their two star players so the Jets will be in win-now mode this season.
