Steve Starr
- BetOnline has updated 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff odds on the matchups in the East and North divisions
- The Capitals (-125) are now favored to eliminate the Bruins in Round 1 after skating to a 3-2 OT victory in Game 1 on Saturday
- The Leafs (-318) are an enormous favorite to win their opening round series against Montreal
This year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs seemingly started at the drop of a hat. Even though the regular season still has not concluded (due to COVID delays), the NHL decided to start their postseason over the weekend with four hotly-contested divisional games.
The start dates to the playoff matchups are also staggered across the league, as the North Division clashes don’t get underway until Wednesday and Thursday – at which point both East Division tilts will already be into Game 3. Below, you’ll find the latest NHL Series prices on those four divisional playoff battles, before we’re back tomorrow with an updated look at the Central and West divisions.
Before laying down any wood, be sure to check out our NHL betting tips page for advice on how to wager on hockey.
2021 NHL Series Prices – East and North
 |
|
| Bruins To Win Series | +105 |
| Capitals To Win Series | -125 |
| Penguins To Win Series | +105 |
| Islanders To Win Series | -125 |
| Jets To Win Series | +145 |
| Oilers To Win Series | -165 |
| Canadiens To Win Series | +268 |
| Maple Leafs To Win Series | -318 |
Capitals draw first blood
Despite opening on the road, the Bruins headed to the nation’s capital as the betting favorite to win their first-round series, but it was Washington who drew first blood with a 3-2 Game 1 overtime win. The Capitals are now -125 chalk to advance to Round 2 to play the winner of Islanders/Penguins in the East Division Finals. New York is also a -125 favorite to score the series upset after a 4-3 OT road victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon.
In Stanley Cup Playoff history, Game 1 winners go on to win the series almost 70 percent of the time. However, if Boston and Pittsburgh can even score in Game 2, history shows they would have a better than 50-50 chance of taking the series. But if they lose again, it would only be a 13 percent chance.
OT WINNER
OT WINNER
OT WINNER
OT WINNER pic.twitter.com/HpBCCgbSci— x – New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) May 16, 2021
The case for Boston (+105) turning the series around is that Washington is now starting 39-year-old Craig Anderson in net after losing starting goaltender Vitek Vanecek to a lower-body injury. The Bruins should at the very least be able to take this series the distance, otherwise expect huge changes in Beantown this summer with the exits of longtime franchise stars David Krejci and Tuukka Rask.
Pittsburgh (+105) suffered a round one upset to Long Island in 2019, but have won six of nine against the Islanders this year. We’re comfortable backing Sidney Crosby and the Penguins at plus money despite their one-game series deficit.
All-Canadian matchups
After scoring 105 points in 56 regular-season games, Oilers superstar Connor McDavid is looking to advance past the first round of the postseason for just the second time in his spectacular six-year career.
Edmonton is a -165 favorite to ground the Jets after owning them in the regular season with a 7-2 head-to-head matchup, and given the state of Winnipeg’s defense, we can’t see a scenario where the soon-to-be 2021 NHL MVP (McDavid) and teammate Leon Draisaitl, the 2020 NHL MVP, aren’t in the North Division Finals.
#LetsGoOilers Connor McDavid finishes the season with 105 points in 56 games. His 1.88 points per game are the highest in a season since 1995-96 when Mario Lemieux had 2.30 points per game (161 PTS in 70 GP). pic.twitter.com/hpH7v7owCo
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) May 16, 2021
Toronto (-318) is an even bigger favorite against Montreal in Round 1 – the first postseason encounter between Original Six rivals since 1979. The Maple Leafs haven’t won a Stanley Cup Playoff series since 2004, but unless goaltender Carey Price can regain vintage form — a tough ask considering he’s coming off a concussion – the Habs almost have no hope against the high-scoring Buds.
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