The Pacific Division is shaping up to be one of the most interesting heading into the 2025-26 NHL season. Between powerhouse contenders like Edmonton and Vegas, rising teams with playoff aspirations, and a handful of franchises still in transition, the division offers plenty of betting angles.
In this article, I’ll break down my top futures bets for the Pacific Division.
Anaheim Ducks
Leo Carlsson 50+ Points (-135) – DraftKings / 60+ Points (+190) – FanDuel
Leo Carlsson enters his third NHL season after putting up 45 points (20 goals, 25 assists) in 76 games last year. His rookie campaign was interrupted by injuries and healthy scratches, limiting him to just 55 games, but he still managed 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists).
Last season, Carlsson really turned a corner in the second half, leading Anaheim with 26 points after the Four Nations Faceoff. He carried that momentum into international play, representing Sweden at the IIHF World Championships. Despite being the third-youngest player on the roster, he finished third on the team in scoring with 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) in 10 games, helping Sweden secure a bronze medal.
Now centering the Ducks’ top line alongside Cutter Gauthier and Alex Killorn, and skating on the second power-play unit, Carlsson is set up for success. He only needs five more points than last season to hit 50, and a 15-point jump to reach 60. Both are very attainable benchmarks given his growth, confidence, and the improved roster around him.
Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames October Standings Points Under 11.5 (-125) – DraftKings
The Calgary Flames face one of the toughest schedules in the league to open the season. They begin with a back-to-back, first traveling to Edmonton to take on the defending Western Conference champions, then heading to Vancouver, a team looking to bounce back under new head coach Adam Foote. From there, they host St. Louis and Vegas, both playoff teams last year, before going on the road to face an improved Utah squad and then Vegas again.
The stretch does not get easier. Calgary returns home for games against Winnipeg and Montreal, both playoff teams, before another game against Winnipeg at home. From there, they face the New York Rangers at home, then close out the month of October on the road against Toronto and Ottawa. That is a brutal run of games for a team that made minimal offseason improvements.
In total, Calgary plays 12 games in October for a maximum of 24 points. Out of those 12, only two are against teams that did not make the playoffs last year, and neither of those opponents can be considered an easy win. The Flames overperformed last season, and with the possibility of regression in net for Dustin Wolf, it is not hard to see them struggling early.
Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid over 35.5 Goals (-115) – DraftKings/ 40+ Goals (+200) – DraftKings
In a recent interview, Connor McDavid said he wants to be more assertive this season. That is important after he posted just 26 goals in 67 games last year, his lowest total since his injury-shortened rookie campaign. He also finished with only 196 shots on goal, again the lowest since his rookie season. For comparison, when McDavid won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy in 2022-23, he scored 64 goals on 352 shots.
While he may not need to get back to that volume, even 250+ shots should put him in a position for a big scoring bounce-back. This is also McDavid’s final year under contract with the Oilers, and after coming up short in back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, the pressure has never been higher. Expect a more decisive approach from him this season, with an emphasis on shooting first rather than always looking to set up teammates.
McDavid has scored 40+ goals four times in his career, and there is a strong reason to believe this could be the fifth.
Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings Stage of Elimination 1st Round (+155) – FanDuel
Los Angeles Kings to Miss the Playoffs (+260) – DraftKings
The Kings have been stuck in the same story for four straight years: a first-round playoff exit, each time at the hands of Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers. At this point, Kings fans must be tired of reliving the same nightmare every spring.
While the Pacific Division looks weak overall, Los Angeles is in a battle with Vancouver for the third playoff spot. Yes, the Pacific could sneak in a fourth team, but with the Central Division shaping up stronger, five teams from there feels more likely. The Kings’ core is another year older, and you could argue they actually took a step back this offseason with the departures of Vladislav Gavrikov and Jordan Spence. Add in a new GM in Ken Holland, who might be quick to shake things up if the team struggles, and there are plenty of red flags.
If the Kings miss the playoffs entirely, the +260 ticket cashes. If they do sneak in, their track record suggests another first-round exit is the most likely outcome. That makes this a two-way angle with strong value: either the miss at +260, or the 1st-round elimination at +155.
San Jose Sharks
William Eklund 60+ Points (+130) – FanDuel
William Eklund, the 7th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, is coming off his best season yet with the Sharks. After recording 45 points in 2022-23, he followed it up with 58 points (17 goals, 41 assists) in 77 games last season. The steady growth in his production shows he is on the right trajectory to clear the 60-point mark this year.
Eklund is skating on San Jose’s first line alongside Macklin Celebrini and Tyler Toffoli, a trio that developed strong chemistry last season and remains intact heading into 2025-26. Celebrini’s emergence has played a big role in Eklund’s progression, and the two should only get better as a duo. Eklund also gets first-unit power play time, and while San Jose’s power play struggled last year (26th in the NHL), there is room for improvement with a more settled core.
The Sharks finished last season with just 52 points, but projections have them closer to 70 this year. With expected growth from their young core and a natural step forward in offensive production, Eklund should be in a strong position to top his career-high and hit 60 points. At +130, the value is there.
Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks to make the Playoffs (+115) – FanDuel
Adam Foote to win the Jack Adams (+2500) – FanDuel
With Vegas and Edmonton locked in as heavy favorites to secure playoff spots, the battle for third in the Pacific likely comes down to Vancouver or Los Angeles. Between the two, Vancouver gets the slight edge heading into the season. There is also a realistic chance that the Pacific sneaks in four teams, which would make both Vancouver and Los Angeles postseason bound.
If the Canucks do get in and put together a strong playoff run, Adam Foote will almost certainly be in the Jack Adams conversation. At +2500, that looks like a longshot worth a sprinkle.
Vegas Golden Knights
[2 Units] Pavel Dorofeyev 30+ Goals (+140) – FanDuel
The Vegas Golden Knights made a splash in the offseason by acquiring Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Many articles are focused on Marner and his new linemate Jack Eichel reaching 100 points or hitting other season-long props. But one thing that seems to be overlooked is the third member of Vegas’ top line: Pavel Dorofeyev.
Eichel and Marner are elite playmakers, and the player on that line who loves to shoot is Dorofeyev. He set a career high in goals last season with 35 in 82 games, up from 13 and 7 in the previous two seasons. His role expanded last year, and he certainly took advantage of it. Now with Marner added to the top line, it is hard to see Dorofeyev not reaching at least 30 goals this season.
He also skates on the second power-play unit, giving him plenty of opportunities as the primary shooter. Last season Dorofeyev ranked 11th in the NHL in shots with 254, and that number should grow with an elite playmaker setting him up for even more chances.
Best of luck, and don’t forget to follow me on Twitter (@GatorBetting) and Instagram (@Gator_Sports_Betting). I always welcome feedback, good or bad, so feel free to share your thoughts.
