Best First-Round Bets in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

A breakdown of the best bets in the first round of this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs.

The NHL season is finally over, and the greatest playoffs in sports are about to start. This year’s first round has 6-7 entertaining first-round matchups, however only a few are worth betting so let’s take a look at how you can make money on the Stanley Cup Playoffs

Favorites

Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins broke the record for the highest point total in NHL history. They are led by David Pastrnak this season, scoring 61 goals and 113 points this year. Veteran Patrice Bergeron is on what might be his final run for another Stanley Cup, and the Bruins are trying to help him reach that.

However, the odds at +370 are simply not worth the money, as no Presidents Trophy winner has won the Stanley Cup since the 2013 Chicago Blackhawks. So you should place your money elsewhere.

Carolina Hurricanes Vs. New York Islanders

The Carolina Hurricanes are -192 to win this series, and the New York Islanders are +158. Carolina is down Max Pacioretty and Andrei Svechnikov for the playoffs.

However, outside of the absolutely ridiculous Colorado Avalanche defensive pairing, the Hurricanes might have the best in the league. A top pair of one of the best shutdown defensemen in Jaccob Slavin and one of the greatest offensive defensemen to ever play the game in Brent Burns spell nightmares for opposing teams.

Then Brady Skjei and Brett Pesce come on the ice for the second unit, which may be one of the hardest-hitting pairs in the league. The offense does fall off a little but is definitely not a liability.

The combination of one of the best defensive teams in the league and the New York Islanders being a year or two away from being actually threats in the East, the Hurricanes -192 is the best bet here.

Toronto Maple Leafs Vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

This series is a rematch of last playoffs when the Tampa Bay Lightning won in seven games. This year the Leafs come into the series with two huge new additions in Ryan O’Reilly and Matthew Knies.

Tampa Bay might have no legs left after three consecutive seasons making the Stanley Cup Finals. However, they easily have the biggest weapon in the playoffs, and that is having Andrei Vasilevskiy in net.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are again looking to make it past the first round this season and will have to play the Tampa Bay Lightning. Matthews has returned and is healthy, but Ryan O’Reilly has returned but might still be dealing with issues from breaking his finger.

Overall, the Leafs are not worth the money at -150 as they have yet to prove any playoff success and will be playing the most successful playoff team in the 2020s.

Worth the Odds?

New York Rangers

The New York Rangers are currently +105 to win their series against the New Jersey Devils. A series that will be heated from the first puck drop, as one of the NHL’s best rivalries adds another chapter to their memorable playoff history.

The New York Rangers have one of the best top-six forward groups in the NHL, with perennial all-stars Artemi Panarin, Patrick Kane, Mika Zibenjadi, and Vladimir Tarasenko. With all of this offensive power, their style of play is built for overs in games like this.

The Rangers also have had tremendous chemistry as of late, as it took them a while to find the right pairing with the new additions of Kane and Tarasenko. The Rangers also have had one of the best power plays in the league this year.

With the New York Rangers being plus, money here is a steal, and everyone should run to your sportsbooks and take the Rangers to win this series at +105.

Best First-Round Bets in the Stanley Cup Playoffs