When it comes to finding value in the NHL Futures markets, and Team Totals in particular, it is worth finding situations where teams can benefit from statistical regression or find teams that have made substantial changes in the offseason, because sometimes projections will be conservative when trying to assess the impact of players in new situations. 

Something to keep in mind: last season there were 10 teams with at least 100 points, and two more with 99. There were four teams with fewer than 75 points.

The year before, there were 12 teams with 100 points, and seven teams finished with 75 points or fewer.

On Pinnacle’s board, there are 10 teams with a total of 99.5 or higher, with four teams that have totals lower than 75.

Which surprise team will pay off by exceeding expectations? Which team will collapse and fall short?

Play with Pinnacle for the best odds and bigger payouts. 

Here are half a dozen team totals to consider for the 2024-2025 NHL season.

Bet: 2024-2025 Regular Season Point Totals

NHL TEAM POINT TOTALS BETTING PREVIEW

Nashville Predators Over 101.5 (+107*)

After finishing with 99 points last season, the Predators signed three top-flight free agents, adding forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault as well as defenseman Brady Skjei. That should be enough to get them another three points in the standings, but there is more reason to be optimistic.

Predators’ goaltender Juuse Saros finished with a .906 save percentage last season, allowing 1.24 more goals against than expected. The year before, he saved 35.46 goals above expected, so if Saros can regain his form, the Preds could be significantly better than they were a year ago.

The last time the Predators had more than 101 points in a season was 2017-2018, so it’s not a common situation, but they have upgraded their talent enough to have those expectations this season.

Tampa Bay Lightning Over 97.5 (-116*)

The Lightning have had back-to-back 98-point seasons and the last time that they played to a pace that would fall below that threshold was 2016-2017. 

They did lose Steven Stamkos in free agency and traded Mikhail Sergachev but effectively replaced them with Jake Guentzel, Ryan McDonagh and J.J. Moser.

Last season, Lighting goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy had back surgery and missed the start of the season, finishing with a career-low save percentage of .900. A healthy Vasilevskiy should be much better and that gives the Lightning a good chance to hit the Over again.

New York Islanders Over 89.5 (-126*)

The main reason to like the New York Islanders is that their goaltending duo of Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov gives them a chance to win night after night. 

They could always use a few more goals, but the Islanders have a lot of continuity from a team that had 94 points last season and played to nearly a 100-point pace after hiring Patrick Roy to be their head coach. 

The Islanders have exceeded a 90-point pace in eight of the past 10 seasons, and this team should be strong enough to do it again.

Bet: NHL Team Point Totals Odds

Utah Hockey Club Over 87.5 (-130*)

The franchise has moved from Arizona to Utah, and new ownership supported the move by adding Sergachev from Tampa Bay and John Marino from New Jersey. Marino and center Nick Bjugstad are injured right now and are not expected to be ready for the start of the season.

Even so, the Coyotes have a promising young team and forwards Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther are poised to take another step in their development after a strong finish in 2023-2024. 

It does require some projection to have Utah finish with at least 88 points, because the last time they surpassed that pace was in 2013-2014, so it can’t just be assumed that they will gain the 11 points that they would need after finishing with 77 points last season.

Washington Capitals Under 90.5 (-137*)

It was practically a miracle that the Capitals made the playoffs last season, despite a -37-goal differential, and while they made some additions to the roster, they may have a hard time getting to 91 points again.

The Capitals traded to acquire center Pierre-Luc Dubois from Los Angeles and winger Andrew Mangiapane from Calgary. They also traded for defenseman Jakob Chychrun and signed defenseman Matt Roy, as well as trading for goaltender Logan Thompson, so the Capitals were not standing pat.

At the same time, this team was extraordinarily fortunate to finish with 91 points last season and it looks like they are nearing the end of an era, one in which they finished at a 91-point pace or better in nine of the past 10 seasons.

Bet: NHL Team Point Totals Odds

San Jose Sharks Under 63.5 (-106*)

After finishing with a miserable 47 points last season, the Sharks have quite a way to go to reach 64 points, which is what they would need to hit the Over.

The Sharks tried to upgrade, signing Tyler Toffoli and Alexander Wennberg and trading for Barclay Goodrow up front, plus trading for defensemen Jake Walman and Cody Ceci. 

They also have top prospects Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith making the jump from college hockey, so the Sharks should absolutely be better this season.

Will they be 17 points better? That’s the bigger challenge because they still look like the worst team in the NHL and that should put them Under 63.5 points.

 

*Subject to change.

Bet: NHL Team Point Totals Odds

Bet: Stanley Cup Outright Winner Odds

Get the best NHL odds on numerous markets for every game this season with Pinnacle.