NHL Playoffs Odds and Predictions for Confirmed First-Round Series

We’re into the final week of the 2022-23 National Hockey League (NHL) season. Teams have just one or two games remaining at this point, and almost all of the playoff spots have been decided, with the exception of the wild card spots in the Eastern Conference.

As of April 12, the Florida Panthers had secured the first of two wild-card spots in the East, with the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders still in contention for the final spot. Pittsburgh is one point back of the Islanders, and both teams have one game left.

While the complete NHL playoff bracket won’t be set until Friday, there’s already been a few series confirmed. Let’s take a look at some of the first-round match-ups. With that in mind, it’s time to take a closer look at which teams are in and out of the postseason so get your NHL Odds to Reach the Playoffs.

NHL Playoff Picture 2023: Postseason Predictions, Updated Odds

Confirmed First-Round Series

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

The Maple Leafs and Lightning have been locked in as opponents since Christmas. The Boston Bruins had a historic season, leaving Toronto and Tampa Bay to battle for the second and third playoff spots in the Atlantic Division. The Leafs will once again have home-ice advantage in a rematch of last year’s first round and are better equipped to handle the Lightning’s potent offense.

Prediction: Toronto in 6

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Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers

Carolina has been dominant all season but has started to slide a little heading into the playoffs, while the Panthers have been playing some of their best hockey of the year. That doesn’t change that Carolina is a much more complete team with better goaltending and defense.

Prediction: Carolina in 5

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New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers

Home ice has yet to be decided in this series, but there won’t be much travel involved regardless for the Metropolitan Division rivals. This has the potential to be the most heated and intense series in the first round and should live up to that billing. New York has a massive advantage between the pipes and certainly has more star power on offense. This will come down to the performance of the Devils‘ young stars like Jack Hughes, Dawson Mercer, and Timo Meier.

Prediction: New York in 7

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Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings

The Oilers and Kings will meet for the second time in two seasons. Edmonton beat LA in an entertaining seven-game series in the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Kings have been one of the most underappreciated teams this season and can certainly compete with the Oilers. Still, it’s hard to imagine anyone stopping Connor McDavid – the generational talent became just the sixth player since the 1983-84 season to record 150 points this year and had 33 points in 16 playoff games last season.

Prediction: Edmonton in 5

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Who’s in, who’s out? Projected 2022 Stanley Cup Matchups and More

Previous Betting News

As we turn towards the back half of the month of April, we are heading towards the end of the regular season for the NHL. We have a good idea of who’s in and who’s out, but where will the seedings fall? There are still spots up for grabs which will make the last two weeks very interesting for teams still left fighting.

Almost every team should have less than 10 games remaining this season. For the teams who have been eliminated, they can start planning and packing for the Bahamas. For the other teams still left fighting, throw away those razors because you could be in store for a long spring and early summer. With that in mind, it’s time to take a closer look at which teams are in and out of the postseason so you can keep planning your bets against the NHL Playoffs Odds.

Who’s in, who’s out? Projected Stanley Cup Matchups and More | NHL Betting

Who’s Out

Besides seeding, the entire Eastern Conference is set on who’s in and who is getting ready for vacation. Out of the Atlantic Division, the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, and the Montreal Canadiens are all heading towards the offseason. The Florida Panthers are the top team in the Atlantic Division this season.

From the Metropolitan Division, the New York Islanders, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, and the Philadelphia Flyers are all heading home. The Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers are tied for the top spot in that division.

From the Western Conference, both divisions still have playoff spots available. Just the Chicago Blackhawks and the Arizona Coyotes have been eliminated from the Central Division. The Winnipeg Jets, Nashville Predators, and the Dallas Stars are all fighting for the final spot. The Stars could be the other wild card, depending on what happens in the Pacific Division.

Out of the Pacific Division, the Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, and the Seattle Kraken have been eliminated from postseason play. The Calgary Flames have yet to clinch the division but hold a seven-point lead on the Edmonton Oilers.

Who’s In

From the Western Conference, only four teams have clinched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs: the Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, and Colorado Avalanche.

From the Eastern Conference and the Metropolitan Division, the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, and the Carolina Hurricanes have all clinched a spot. Washington and Pittsburgh are battling for the three and four spots in the division while New York and Carolina battle for first and second.

From the Atlantic Division, the Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Florida Panthers have all clinched playoff spots. The Lightning are not the favorite but are looking to win their third Stanley Cup in a row. Florida has battled issues all season, but they still produce and win games.

Projected Matchups & More

Right now, it is too close to tell on the projected matchups, but if the season ended today, the top two teams would be the Florida Panthers and the Colorado Avalanche. Florida would be set to take on the Washington Capitals. The Avalanche would have a date set with the Nashville Predators.

That would leave the two seeds to the top wild card teams and the second and third place division finishers to battle it out in the first round.