The Stanley Cup playoffs are finally here, with 16 teams embarking on their postseason journey after an 82-game regular season. This season was full of surprises, from incredible records to unexpected teams securing top seeds and home-ice advantage in their conferences.
With the playoff bracket set, let`s delve into the first-round matchups and betting odds for each series, according to DraftKings as of Thursday.
Eastern Conference
The Washington Capitals attracted attention with Alex Ovechkin`s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky`s all-time goal record, but they also had a strong season, earning the No. 1 seed and a series against the Montreal Canadiens. The reigning champion Florida Panthers are also in the Eastern Conference playoffs, along with consistent contenders Tampa Bay and Carolina.
Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadiens
- Money line: Capitals -330, Canadiens +260
- Spread: Capitals -1.5 (-145), Canadiens +1.5 (+125)
The Capitals exceeded preseason expectations. Ovechkin reached the all-time record, and Washington also saw career-best seasons from Tom Wilson and Dylan Strome, who were second and fourth in team goals, respectively, helping Washington rank second in NHL scoring this year.
The Canadiens were the last team to clinch a playoff spot, doing so near the end of the regular season. Nick Suzuki had an outstanding year with 89 points, but he and Cole Caufield are the only Montreal players with at least 70 points this season. Montreal conceded the tenth-most goals this season, the most among playoff teams.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Ottawa Senators
- Money line: Maple Leafs -170, Senators +145
- Spread: Maple Leafs +1.5 (-320), Senators +1.5 (+250)
Mitch Marner led Toronto in points, surpassing 100, while captain Auston Matthews had fewer than 80 due to missed games. These two were among four Maple Leafs with at least 70 points this season. Goalie Anthony Stolarz had an excellent season with a .926 save percentage in 33 starts.
Goals were sometimes hard to come by for the Senators, who ranked 21st in scoring. Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson were the only Senators to reach 60 points this season, while Brady Tkachuk, who missed 11 games, led the team with 29 goals. Linus Ullmark is Ottawa`s goalie, with a .911 save percentage and 2.67 goals allowed per game in 43 appearances.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers
- Money line: Panthers -115, Lightning -105
- Spread: Panthers +1.5 (-220), Lightning -1.5 (+180)
The two Florida teams will clash in the first round, with the defending champion Panthers hoping for the return of Matthew Tkachuk, who has been out since an injury. Without Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart led Florida with 81 points. Sergei Bobrovsky, who performed exceptionally during the Panthers` title run last year, had another solid season with a .905 save percentage.
Tampa Bay is first in the NHL in goals scored and best in the Eastern Conference in goals allowed. Nikita Kucherov led the NHL in points and was among four Lightning players with at least 80 points. Andrei Vasilevskiy recorded a .921 save percentage and allowed only 2.18 goals per game.
Carolina Hurricanes vs New Jersey Devils
- Money line: Hurricanes -245, Devils +200
- Spread: Hurricanes -1.5 (-115), Devils +1.5 (-105)
The Hurricanes are a top-10 team in both goals scored and allowed, despite having only two players with over 60 points: Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis. Pyotr Kochetkov had his worst year in net, with his first save percentage below .900.
The Devils have one of the best defenses in hockey but are in the bottom half of the league in goals scored. The Hughes brothers, Jack and Luke, combined for over 110 points, and Jesper Bratt set a career high. Jacob Markström is New Jersey`s primary goalie, posting a .900 save percentage this year.
Western Conference
The Western Conference goes through Winnipeg. The Jets are the top seed, surpassing usual contenders like Vegas and Dallas, and had the best record in the NHL this season. They will face the St. Louis Blues. Here`s a preview of this series and the other three in the West.
Winnipeg Jets vs St. Louis Blues
- Money line: Jets -180, Blues +155
- Spread: Jets -1.5 (+120), Blues +1.5 (-140)
The Jets were considered a fringe playoff team before the season but finished as the NHL`s best team. Winnipeg is well-rounded, and with strong goaltending being crucial in the playoffs, the Jets are confident with Connor Hellebuyck, a major reason why they allowed the fewest goals in the league. Winnipeg lacks a superstar scorer, but Kyle Connor leads with just under 100 points, helping the Jets rank in the top five in scoring.
The Blues secured a wild card spot late in the season and are also a balanced team, ranking in the top half of the NHL in both goals scored and allowed. Robert Thomas leads the team in points, and Jordan Kyrou leads in goals. Veteran goalie Jordan Binnington provides stability, with significant playoff experience, including a .914 save percentage during the Blues` 2018-19 title run.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Minnesota Wild
- Money line: Golden Knights -205, Wild +170
- Spread: Golden Knights -1.5 (+110), Wild +1.5 (-130)
Jack Eichel had his best year with over 90 points, and Adin Hill performed well in net for Vegas, with a save percentage over .900. The Golden Knights have a seasoned roster for postseason play, including veterans like Mark Stone and Ivan Barbashev.
The Wild earned a wild card despite an inconsistent season, ranking in the bottom 10 in NHL scoring and in the middle for goals allowed. Goalie Filip Gustavsson has played well recently, with a save percentage in the .910s since March.
Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche
- Money line: Stars +120, Avalanche -140
- Spread: Stars +1.5 (-195), Avalanche -1.5 (+155)
This series features many familiar playoff faces. The Stars are again a balanced team, ranking in the top six in goals scored and allowed. Matt Duchene and Jason Robertson both surpassed 80 points, and goalie Jake Oettinger had a .911 save percentage, consistent with his .912 career average.
The Avalanche are in the top 10 in goals scored and in the top half in goals allowed. Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL in assists, and Cale Makar again showed his two-way skill with over 90 points. Goalie has been a concern for Colorado, but Mackenzie Blackwood has provided stability since joining from San Jose.
Los Angeles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers
- Money line: Oilers -135, Kings +115
- Spread: Oilers +1.5 (-270), Kings -1.5 (+225)
The Kings enter the playoffs as a top defensive team, ranking second in goals allowed. Goalie Darcy Kuemper is allowing just over 2.00 goals per game. This defense will be tested by Edmonton. The Oilers are just outside the top 10 in goals scored, but Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl remain a formidable duo, having led Edmonton to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals last season.
Elton Marrow