2024-25 NHL predictions: Odds, picks for division winners parlay

The NHL prides itself on being chaotic and having more parity than the other major leagues in North America, but the last few seasons have been lacking in both departments. Six teams in the Eastern Conference (Rangers, Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, Bruins, Lightning and Panthers) have made the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, and while that number is only four (Oilers, Avalanche, Stars and Kings) in the Western Conference, three more (Predators, Jets and Wild) made it in two of the last three campaigns.The lack of turnover since the shortened 2020-21 season has lulled most pundits and punters to believe we will see more of the same in 2024-25. But I would urge caution on that. For the first time in a number of years, the bottom of the NHL does not feature a handful of teams that are actively tanking, and that will automatically raise the floor of the league and make it more competitive, which in turn, makes it more likely we see some chaos.With the start of the season just days away, let’s come up with a lottery ticket parlay for division winners on FanDuel to see if we can’t take advantage of a possible chaotic season in the NHL.Everybody is picking the Devils for a bounce-back season and there’s no reason to push against the tide.New Jersey overhauled its goaltending by trading for Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen, but the Devils also brought in some effective supporting players on the blueline in Branden Dillon and Brett Pesce.Add those players to the core of Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Dougie Hamilton and Jesper Bratt and you have what seems like a pretty good recipe for a massive season in Newark.Metropolitan pick: Devils (+230)Because this is a lottery ticket angle, we need a long shot to juice this ticket and I’ve landed on the Sabres, who have not made the playoffs in 13 years.

But the pieces are in place for them to take a massive leap from what was a hugely disappointing showing in 2023-24. What was most frustrating for the Sabres last sea...