Steve Starr
- BetOnline and Bovada have posted updated 2021 NHL Stanley Cup odds for all 16 teams in the postseason
- Hockey’s playoffs start on Saturday, May 15 with the Washington Capitals hosting the Boston Bruins
- Toronto and Montreal meet in the playoffs for the first time since 1979
The participants for the Stanley Cup Playoffs are all set, but there are still a few questions of who plays whom in the opening round.
The first two rounds of the postseason will feature series between clubs from the same division, as the top four teams from each will be whittled down to one. To get you set to wager on the NHL’s postseason, we’ll take you through all the expected matchups in the East, Central, North and West divisions right after we look at the latest Cup odds.
Be sure to also check out our NHL betting tips page for tips and advice on how to wager on hockey.
2021 NHL Stanley Cup Odds
 |  |
|
| Colorado Avalanche | +425 | +500 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +575 | +550 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +600 | +550 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +750 | +750 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +800 | +800 |
| Boston Bruins | +1200 | +1000 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | +1200 | +1200 |
| Washington Capitals | +1200 | +1400 |
| New York Islanders | +1400 | +1600 |
| Minnesota Wild | +1800 | +1800 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +2000 | +1500 |
| Florida Panthers | +2000 | +1800 |
| St. Louis Blues | +2500 | +2000 |
| Nashville Predators | +4000 | +3300 |
| Montreal Canadiens | +5000 | +3000 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +5000 | +2800 |
West and North Divisional Battles
Two of the top three Stanley Cup favorites are in the West, Colorado (+425) and Vegas (+600), while the third, the Toronto Maple Leafs (+575), play in an all-Canadian division that refuses to play defense.
After defeating the Golden Knights 2-1 on Monday, the Avalanche will pass Vegas in the standings if they win their two remaining games against a bottom-dwelling Kings club they just beat twice last week. Claiming the No. 1 seed would mean a first-round matchup against a fourth-place Blues (+2500) team with 59 points, rather than facing a third-place Wild (+1800) squad with 75 points, so Colorado should be plenty motivated.
WE’RE IN THIS#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/2YrhOQgzd6
— x – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 11, 2021
In the North, the Leafs will face their Original Six rivals in Montreal (+5000) in the playoffs for the first time since 1979. After finishing the regular season a dominant 7-2-1 against the Canadiens and securing their first division crown since 2000, Toronto will be big favorites to advance and play the winner of the Edmonton (+2000) and Winnipeg (+5000) series.
After going 7-2 against the Jets this year, including winning the last five, the Oilers and superstar Connor McDavid should have no difficulties advancing to the second round.
Give us Colorado, Minnesota, Toronto and Edmonton to win their round one matchups.
East and Central Divisional Matchups
Boston (+1200) will face former captain Zdeno Chara and the Capitals (+1200) when the Stanley Cup Playoffs get underway this Saturday. The Bruins have been the hottest team in the NHL since stealing Taylor Hall at the trade deadline (12-3-1 record) and got the better of Washington in the regular season with a 4-1-2 record. While the Caps are no doubt “built for the playoffs,” they’re dealing with lots of injuries and are at a severe goaltending disadvantage against Tuukka Rask and the B’s.
Pittsburgh (+1200) will host the Islanders (+1400) in the other best-of-seven East division series. The Penguins suffered a round one upset to Long Island in 2019, but had no such trouble this year, winning six of eight games against the Isles this season.
Capitals to play Bruins in first round of Stanley Cup playoffs https://t.co/1PwkzZ9jNa
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) May 11, 2021
The reigning Cup champions in Tampa Bay (+750) will face their state rivals in Florida (+2000) for the first-time ever in the postseason. While the Lightning will be heavy favorites to advance, the Panthers went 5-2-1 in the season series. The No. 1 seed in the Central, the Hurricanes (+800) draw the Predators (+4000) in the other divisional matchup.
Carolina won the first six games against Nashville this season before losing the last two on Saturday and Monday by a combined 8-1 score.
We like Tampa Bay, Carolina, Boston and Pittsburgh to advance to the 2nd round.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
