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The NHL’s conference semifinals are underway and if the initial games are any indication, there is going to be plenty of scoring in the West and tight, lockdown defense in the East.
NHL bettors can still get in on series action. Here’s a look at each of the remaining series and how they may play out.
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Flyers vs. Islanders Series Preview, Odds and Picks
The Philadelphia Flyers have been one of the hottest teams in the Toronto bubble. They won all three of their seeding games and then took care of Montreal in six games. Philadelphia is a -125 favorite to beat the Islanders and move to the Eastern Conference finals.
It won’t be easy. New York is one of the best defensive teams in the NHL. In its nine games in the bubble thus far, the Islanders are allowing 1.67 goals per game. They have yet to allow a team more than 30 shots in a game. The Islanders also swept the Flyers in three regular season games.
The New York Islanders are priced at +105 to win, but their lack of forward depth is an issue. That’s where Philadelphia wins this series. Anthony Beauvillier has six goals this summer and Jakub Voracek had four goals and seven points in the Montreal series. Advantage, Philadelphia.
Lightning vs. Bruins Series Preview, Odds and Picks
With all of Boston’s issues – goaltender Tuuka Rask leaving the bubble, for example – it would be easy to write off the Bruins and chalk up a Tampa Bay series victory. Then, the two teams played Game 1.
Boston G Jaroslav Halak stopped 35 shots and Bruins star David Pastrnak scored a goal and had an assist as Boston beat Tampa Bay in Game 1, 3-2.
The Lightning won three of four regular season games against Boston and took care of their nemesis Columbus in the first-round of the playoffs.
Tampa Bay will be without one of its stars, Steven Stamkos. With Stamkos, this might be a no-brainer, but both the Bruins and Lightning are priced at -110 to win the series.
This one will likely go seven games. Boston is better on the power play – 17.9% to 13.3% – and Halak has now won four games in a row. Forget all the issues, the Bruins continue their quest for a Stanley Cup.
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Golden Knights vs. Canucks Series Preview, Odds and Picks
The Canucks have been playing as well as any team in the league in the NHL postseason. Their power play is converting at 26.2 percent and Jacob Markstrom has been outstanding in goal.
For bettors thinking upset, they might want to rethink that after Game 1 in the Vegas-Vancouver series. The Golden Knights proved why they are a -275 favorite with a 5-0 lambasting of the Canucks.
In eight playoff games thus far, Vegas has an expected goals percentage of 62.11 at 5-on-5. That is the best in the league.
Vancouver (+225) will be a tough out, but Vegas is simply too talented and clicking on all cylinders. The Knights will advance.
Avalanche vs. Stars Series, Preview Odds and Picks
Colorado is a favorite to win the Stanley Cup, but one team that had the Avs number all season long was Dallas. The Stars took all four of the regular season games between the two teams.
The Colorado Avalanche did beat Dallas in the round-robin games, but then the Stars exploded for five goals in a 5-3 Game 1 victory over the Avs.
Colorado’s top line of Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, and Mikko Rantanen is finally back together and at 5-on-5 has not given up a goal and has combined for six goals in eight games. That’s an expected goals-for advantage of 71.66 percent.
The Stars are getting production from rookie Denis Gurianov (six goals) and veteran Joe Pavelski (six goals), but they may have a tough time with Avalanche goalies Philipp Grubauer (.937 save percentage in the playoffs) and Pavel Francouz (.958).
Dallas is a +115 underdog and could pull the upset, but Colorado’s health and better top lines will help them win this one and advance to the Western Conference finals.
