Playoffs Odds NHL Tonight's Betting Lines

As the NHL playoffs progress, it becomes increasingly more difficult to predict series, as well as the individual games contained within.

In the other series in the East, the Rangers are 2-0 up on the Hurricanes, and in the West, the Avalanche have a 1-0 lead over Dallas.

My Analysis

The fact of the matter is that teams tend to be pretty evenly matched at this stage of the proceedings. All you need to do is take a look at the action from Tuesday night, with both games going to OT to be decided. We were fortunate enough to get both games correct in our predictions, but I think I can safely say that this is something that is going to be tough to do every night, so expect some setbacks along the way and move on. For now, we turn our attention to Wednesday night and another huge set of games on tap. We have 2 series going on tonight, so let’s take a look and try to keep our winning streak alive.

Boston Bruins +147 at Florida Panthers -182

You could say that it was something of a surprise to see the Bruins head into Florida and win Game 1 in such convincing style, but recent results suggest otherwise. The Bruins, who took the opening game in the series 5-1, are now on a run that has seen them beat the Panthers in 5 straight games, as well as 7 of the last 10. That’s a pretty convincing stat, but you have to wonder if they can continue that against a Panthers team that is sure to be more than a little desperate.

Florida will be well aware that heading to Boston down 0-2 in the series is potentially the beginning of the end for them, so expect them to press a good deal harder tonight than they did in the opening game of the series.

The Panthers did manage to win all 3 games at home in Round 1 and had a solid record in their own building during the regular season, so there is every reason to believe that they can find a way to bounce back tonight. That is the way I am leaning, as I like the Panthers to win a close one.

Stanley Cup Bet: Boston Bruins 3, Florida Panthers 4

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NHL | Stanley Cup Odds to Win

Edmonton Oilers -132 at Vancouver Canucks +108

If familiarity does indeed breed contempt, then expect some fireworks in this series between a pair of Pacific Division rivals. You might also expect a series that goes the distance, with the last 10 meetings between these two teams ending in an even split down the middle. That said, it was the Canucks that won all 4 games in the regular season against the Oilers, so with home ice advantage to their name here, you would expect them to get off to a winning start.

As we have seen in the past, though, things tend to be very different once the playoffs roll around. The Oilers looked very good in Round 1, disposing of the LA Kings in 5 games and winning both road games on the way to doing so.

While the regular season series produced a lot of goals, I expect things to be a whole lot tighter in this one, which is why I am leaning toward the UNDER in Game 1. I also like the Canucks to edge it in the series opener.

Stanley Cup Bet: Edmonton Oilers 2, Vancouver Canucks 3