Over the weekend, we saw the Eastern Conference settle a bit in terms of the playoffs, as all eight slots are taken. Seedings may move in the last couple of weeks, but we know who’s in and who’s out. Pittsburgh locked up a spot by doubling up the New York Islanders, 6-3, and Tampa Bay beat Anaheim, 4-3, in overtime to snag a spot of their own. As we look forward to the bracket, let’s consider some predictions about the seeding as you plot out your online NHL betting strategy.
NHL News: Playoff Betting Predictions
Eastern Conference
We predict the following matchups:
- Florida Panthers (A1) vs Washington Capitals (WC2)
- Carolina Hurricanes (M1) vs Boston Bruins (WC1)
- Toronto Maple Leafs (A2) vs Tampa Bay Lightning (A3)
- N.Y. Rangers (M2) vs Pittsburgh Penguins (M3)
- A = Atlantic Division
- M = Metropolitan Division
- WC = Wild Card
The Capitals would have a tough slog here, as the Panthers have won ten in a row and look unstoppable on offense. The Capitals have an opportunistic offense, led by Alex Ovechkin, and they can stack goals with anyone. However, they have even more issues in their own end than the Panthers do. Even so, the top seed in each conference has a history of falling to that second wild card – and the Panthers’ flaws – needing multiple-goal comebacks, relying on iffy goaltending and poor communication on defense – are the perfect recipe for that sort of meltdown.
Caroilina might be the steadier of the top two seeds in the East, even though their record is not as solid as Florida’s. Also, while Boston has a better record than Washington, its defensive problems can be even more pronounced, and its offensive ceiling isn’t as high. Of the two wild card series in the East, I like the Caps to pull off the upset a lot more than I like the Bruins.
Toronto needs to win now, as they may lose top goalie Jack Campbell to free agency. Petr Mrazek is under contract for two more years, but his injuries and subpar play will make him hard to trade. The Leafs have the rhythm to stop a Tampa Bay team, if they can continue to keep the demons of Leaf failures past out of their heads.
The Rangers have made some solid decisions on the blue line, and the offense has been able to cash in as a result. If will be interesting to see if this blend of youth and experience in the defenseman corps will work in the postseason as well.
Western Conference
We predict the following matchups:
- Colorado Avalanche (C1) vs Dallas Stars (WC2)
- Calgary Flames (P1) vs Nashville Predators (WC1)
- St. Louis Blues (C2) vs Minnesota Wild (C3)
- Edmonton Oilers (P2) vs L.A. Kings (P3)
- C = Central Division
- P = Pacific Division
- WC = Wild Card
Dallas is fun to watch when they are scoring, but their defense and goaltending are either amazing or horrendous. Goalie Jake Oettinger has had a nice season of development, while the team’s acquisition of Braden Holtby is just the latest acquisition of an elite goalie by the Stars in time for that goalie to succumb to an extended injury (see: Bishop, Ben). In their own zone, Dallas does not play solid defense and will get torched by Colorado in a seven-game series.
Nashville continues to be a grinding team that forces other teams into its rhythm – and it also has to grind goals, without stars to deliver breathtaking highlights. That style will wear down Calgary, as the Flames have plenty of offensive prowess but have a difficult time moving the puck up ice and into the attack zone at time. I could see Nashville extending this series, but the Flames should advance.
St. Louis and Minnesota have been trading second place in the Central back and forth for months now. The race is close, but the Blues have been hotter lately, so I see them snagging home ice in this series and sending the Wild home after just a round.
Edmonton is coming on strong, while the Kings seem to be treading water, doing just enough to stay out of the wild card. I like teams that streak into the playoffs, looking solid on both ends of the ice, so we will see whether the Oil can keep up this winning pace.
NHL Betting Odds
Love betting on hockey like in the NHL games? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date NHL betting Odds for all Regular Season, Playoffs, and Stanley Cup games.
