Thirty teams started the quest for the Stanley Cup back in the fall, and 16 teams remain. Some of the first-round series represent renewals of long-standing rivalries, such as the New Jersey Devils meeting the New York Rangers. When the Dallas Stars visit the Minnesota Wild, expect to hear raucous noise from those in Minnesota who are still mad that their North Stars headed south almost 30 years ago for the Lone Star State. Each of the eight first-round series has intrigue, but which NHL betting underdogs should you take? Read on for our thoughts.
NHL Betting News: First-Round Playoff Underdogs to Back
Boston Bruins (Atlantic Champions) vs Florida Panthers (2nd Wild Card)
We’ve seen President’s Trophy winners come in and lose in the first round. We’ve seen it happen more often in the last two decades than we’ve seen President’s Trophy winners end up with the Stanley Cup. This is an historic Bruins offense, though, with records for wins in a season (65) and points (135). If the Panthers are going to pull off the stunner, though, they need a goaltender who can stand on his head and possibly steal all four wins. The Panthers are more of an offense-first team that hasn’t shown the capacity to play shutdown defense. Don’t take the Panthers.
Toronto Maple Leafs (2nd place Atlantic) vs Tampa Bay Lightning (3rd place Atlantic)
The Tampa Bay Lightning have lots of success in recent postseasons, but this is finally a season when they don’t have depth going into the postseason. Tanner Jeannot’s leg injury late in the season was just one of several that have the Lightning reeling at key positions. With multiple long playoff runs in recent years, the Lightning may just be out of gas. The Maple Leafs have not won a first-round series in 19 seasons and have the history of playoff failures – their Stanley Cup drought extends back to 1967 and weighs more on the city each year. Even so, I don’t see the Lightning mustering the will to oust these young and hungry Leafs. Don’t take the Lightning.
Carolina Hurricanes (Metropolitan Champions) vs N.Y. Islanders (1st Wild Card)
Ilya Sorokin is a goalie who can steal games, and Mathew Barzal is returning for the postseason, one of several Islanders getting off the injured list just in time to inject fresh legs into the series. This is an Islanders team that likes to grind the pace and frustrate teams that want to turn the game into a track meet. The Hurricanes won’t have Andrei Svechnikov, and this is an Islanders team that steals first-round series with regularity. Take the Isles.
Must-See NHL Goals of Week 27
New Jersey Devils (2nd place Metropolitan) vs N.Y. Rangers (3rd place Metropolitan)
The Devils are better in terms of possession, but the Rangers turn errors into goals in a hurry. The Rangers stack up goals on the power play, while the Devils always to threaten to score shorthanded. The key differences are the addition of Vladimir Tarasenko at the trade deadline and the presence of Igor Shesterkin in net – both advantages on the Rangers’ side. Take the Rangers.
Vegas Golden Knights (Pacific Champions) vs Winnipeg Jets (2nd Wild Card)
Connor Hellebuyck is another goalie who can steal a series, but this is a Winnipeg team that started the season hot and basically went .500 over the last 30 games of the regular season. The Golden Knights had some injuries in goal but still managed to win a Western Conference that got competitive over the last month. Don’t take the Jets.
Edmonton Oilers (2nd place Pacific) vs L.A. Kings (3rd place Pacific)
The Oil brought in Mattias Ekholm deal at the trade deadline, and Stuart Skinner has emerged as an elite goalie in the second half of the season. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisatl are looking to keep stacking goals in the playoffs, and remember that Edmonton is 18-3-0 since March 1. Don’t take the Kings.
Central Division: Colorado Avalanche (Central Champions) vs Seattle Kraken (1st Wild Card)
Seattle has a top-ten offense and a middling defense, but they can attack with all four lines, which means they’ll be shelling the Colorado net all night long. Colorado brings in the superstar trio of Cale Makar, Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon. The Avs have the roster names, while the Kraken have line depth and three first-rate defensive pairings. Take the Kraken.
Dallas Stars (2nd place Central) vs Minnesota Wild (3rd place Central)
Two elite goaltenders square off in Jake Oettinger (Dallas) and Marc-Andre Fleury (Minnesota). Oettinger has come on in the last three seasons, while Fleury has his name on the Cup three times. Jason Robertson broke the 100-point barrier for Dallas this year, and Miro Heiskanen is a solid offensive defenseman. The Wild are missing Joel Eriksson Ek, but the Wild have more tangibles here. Don’t take the Wild.
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