The 2021 NHL playoffs are in the second round of action, with 4 different series in various stages of completion. The playoff setup is a little different than what we are used to, but from what we have seen to this point, it is certainly no less exciting. We have some definite favorites emerging, but we also know from past history that series can change in a heartbeat. A team that looks to be safely heading to the next round can suddenly collapse and fall apart. For proof of that, look no further than the Toronto Maple Leafs and what happened to them in Round 1. With all of that in mind, let’s take a look at what is going on in the 2021 playoffs so you can continue betting against their NHL Playoffs odds.
Updated 2021 NHL Playoffs Betting: 2nd Round Series
East Division
With 4 games already in the books in Round 2, we have officially seen the series between the Boston Bruins and New York Islanders come down to a best of 3. These two have split the opening 4 games of the series, with the Bruins having the series lead twice already. This thing has been tight through the opening 4 games, with 2 of then requiring OT. The Bruins will have home ice advantage in the final 3 games, but as the previous results have shown, that doesn’t really mean much when you have a pair of teams that are this evenly matched.
Central Division
It was a perhaps a little surprising to see the defending Stanley Cup champions go in as the #3 seed this postseason, but they have made things look relatively easy to this point. The Lightning took put the Panthers in Round 1 in 6 games, but after winning the opening 2, they never really looked in trouble. They essentially repeated that here, winning the opening 2 games of the series against the Carolina Hurricanes before losing Game 3. A win in game 4, though, has them on the brink of moving onto the final 4 on Tuesday night.
West Division
After rolling through the opening round with a 4-game sweep of the St. Louis Blues, not to mention and an amazing offensive showing, the Colorado Avalanche became the favorites to win it all in the eyes of many hockey fans. The face that they also came out and won the opening 2 games of their Round 2 series against the Vegas Golden Knights cemented that idea. We may have jumped the gun a little, though, as the Golden Knights and refusing to roll over and die. They won Games 3 and 4 to take this series to a best of 3. Game 5 in this series is going to be crucial.
North Division
The Montreal Canadiens came into the playoffs as the #4 seed in the North Division, but if that made them the outsiders here, they don’t seem to have received the memo. They came back big in Round 1 to knock off the Toronto Maple Leafs in 7 games and are now on the brink of moving into the final 4. The Canadiens have a 3-0 series lead over the Winnipeg Jets, which is all the more surprising when you look at how easily the Jets disposed of the Edmonton Oilers in Round 1. Perhaps they got the job done a little too quickly and lost some momentum as they waited for their next opponent.
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