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NHL best bets: Betting previews for today's four Stanley Cup playoff series

By Griffin Carroll | Last updated Apr 18, 2023 9:26 AM ET

The first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs got started yesterday, and now we're on to a fresh batch of Game 1s as we get started on the betting preview for the rest of the bracket. Big-time goalies, strong offenses and the defending champs make up the group we're breaking down today.

No. 3 New York Rangers vs. No. 2 New Jersey Devils

Odds to win series: New Jersey -120 | New York +100

Game 1 odds

Puckline: New Jersey -1.5 (+195), New York +1.5 (-230)
Moneyline: New Jersey -130, New York +110
Over/under: 5.5 goals

The winner between these two may very well be the favorite to advance to the Eastern Conference Final, and we have the tightest odds on the winner in this series among the eight first-round matchups.

The Rangers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, valuable experience to be called upon. New York has pushed its chips all in with the acquisitions of Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane, and now would be the time for those investments to yield some returns.

New Jersey has been one of the surprise teams of the season, led by Jack Hughes' terrific season. The Devils sport a loaded and balanced forward attack, and have been one of the stingier teams to shots allowed this year, led by Dougie Hamilton on the backend.

This seems like the type of series destined for seven games. The value likely lies in the Rangers to win the series, but we'd prefer to go game-by-game and bet on the home teams taking most of the wins here.

Betting view: Bet the home teams to win, expect a long series. Consider a bet on this series reaching seven games at +200.

No. 3 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. No. 2 Toronto Maple Leafs

Odds to win series: Toronto -155 | Tampa Bay +135

Game 1 odds

Puckline: Toronto -1.5 (+160), Tampa Bay +1.5 (-190)
Moneyline: Toronto -165, Tampa Bay +140
Over/under: 6 goals

We get a rematch of last year's Round 1 here between Tampa Bay and Toronto, a series that went seven games. The Lightning are looking to reach their fourth straight Stanley Cup Final, while Toronto is looking to win a first-round series for the first time since 2004.

The Lightning closed the year a bit more lax defensively, and if that carries over, the edge appears to lie with Auston Matthews, William Nylander and this Toronto offense.

It's hard to bet against goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy in the postseason, but at a certain point, these continuous postseason runs have to wear on the Lightning. We like Toronto to grab some early wins in this series and dictate the pace, and while Tampa Bay makes it a series, it's time for the Maple Leafs to get over the hump and advance to the second round.

Betting view: Look to Auston Matthews and William Nylander shooting and scoring props. Toronto to win the series.

WC2 Winnipeg Jets vs. No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights

Odds to win series: Vegas -170 | Winnipeg +140

Game 1 odds

Puckline: Vegas -1.5 (+180), Winnipeg +1.5 (-210)
Moneyline: Vegas -150, Winnipeg +130
Over/under: 5.5 goals

The saying goes that elite goaltending can carry you through the Stanley Cup playoffs, and in that respect, one has to consider the Winnipeg Jets and their netminder Conner Hellebuyck as a team worth backing. The issue is that Vegas has been getting some elite goaltending in their own right. Laurent Brossoit is confirmed for tonight, owner of the third-best save percentage in the NHL over the last two months (minimum 10 starts).

To us, that makes the betting view a clear one: fade the goals and load up the unders.

From a series-winner perspective, we're drawn to the Jets. Their offensive potential feels greater, with a trio of strong forward lines, and the Golden Knights have been getting much looser on the defensive end to shots on goal.

This should be a tight physical game led by the goalies, but give us Winnipeg to advance.

Betting view: Winnipeg to win series +140 and betting the unders

WC1 Seattle Kraken vs. No. 1 Colorado Avalanche

Odds to win series: Colorado -300 | Seattle +235

Game 1 odds

Puckline: Colorado -1.5 (+125), Seattle +1.5 (-145)
Moneyline: Colorado -200, Seattle +170
Over/under: 6 goals

Seattle has been a nice story this season in their second season as a franchise. Jared McCann has led the way on this eclectic bunch, but the ride seems destined to end here.

Colorado is the defending Stanley Cup champions and getting healthier at the right time. They ended the season on a tear and should be able to kick things into gear here on their quest for a second straight championship.

Expect this to be a short series that Colorado controls from the opening puck drop.

Betting view: Betting Colorado -1.5 games in the series (-135), i.e. winning in six or less games.

Griffin Carroll

Griffin Carroll is focused on bringing you the betting numbers that matter. With a focus on the NFL, NHL and NBA, Griffin relies on a data-driven betting approach for prop bets, spread picks and over/unders.

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