NHL odds update: Avalanche show no signs of slowing down

The Colorado Avalanche have shown few signs of letting up and have overtaken the Vegas Golden Knights as the favorite to win the NHL’s West Division. 

However, Colorado is not the only team in the league to go on a recent hot streak and move up the board.

Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche remain one of the hottest teams in the NHL and lead Vegas by four points. Colorado will play the 40th game of its season Friday, and has won seven of its last 10 games.

The Golden Knights have a game in hand on Colorado, but Vegas has seen its odds to win the division move to +300.

A Vegas resurgence will likely also require an Avalanche slowdown, but the majority of Colorado's remaining games are against teams that are at or below a .500 win percentage.

It is not impossible, but it will be tough to stop the Avalanche at this point. 

Carolina Hurricanes

The Central Division features one of the most exciting races in the NHL and provides some potential value opportunities for bettors, even if the teams in hockey’s Sun Belt don’t garner much national attention. 

The Carolina Hurricanes now have the lowest odds to win the Central Division, following two straight wins and points in eight of their last 10 games. 

The Hurricanes, however, do not lead the division. The Florida Panthers have a one-point lead on Carolina and a two-point lead on the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Do the Panthers present value at +375? Perhaps.

The Hurricanes have two games in hand. They also have a plus-35 goal differential, one of the best marks the league, and are one of the most dominant teams in the league at controlling play at even strength. 

Do not overlook the reigning Stanley Cup champion in Tampa Bay, with odds of +150 to win the division. Tampa is two points back, with a game in hand on the Panthers. 

The Hurricanes deserve to be the favorite, at least right now, but the Panthers and Lightning present interesting opportunities for bettors. 

The Lightning are dealing with injuries to defensemen Jan Rutta and Erik Cernak, while one of their top forwards, Nikita Kucherov, remains sidelined for the regular season after hip surgery in December.