Steve Starr
- BetOnline has opening series odds for Jets vs. Canadiens in Round 2 of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs
- The North Division final between Winnipeg and Montreal begins on Wednesday night
- Boston is still a 2-to-1 favorite to advance past the Islanders despite a 4-3 overtime-loss in Game 2
Winnipeg and Montreal entered the Stanley Cup Playoffs as severe underdogs against the high-flying Oilers and Maple Leafs, but both emerged from their respective first round match-ups victorious. The Jets swept Edmonton in four straight games while the Habs clawed back from a 3-1 series deficit to dispatch Toronto’s razzle-dazzle group of choking dogs.
Before the Canadiens and Jets battle for the North division crown, let’s check out the opening odds and props on the Round 2 series. Here’s also where you can find NHL betting tips page if you need advice on how to wager on hockey.
Canadiens vs Jets Series Odds
 |
|
| Canadiens To Win Series | +115 |
| Jets To Win Series | -135 |
| Canadiens 4-3 | +475 |
| Jets 4-2 | +475 |
| Canadiens 4-2 | +500 |
| Jets 4-3 | +500 |
| Canadiens 4-1 | +525 |
| Jets 4-1 | +575 |
| Jets 4-0 | +900 |
| Canadiens 4-0 | +1200 |
Jets open as slight favorites
Winnipeg (-135) enters their series with the Canadiens (+115) on nine days rest – which could prove helpful as Games 3 and 4 in Montreal will be played back-to-back. The Jets should also have the advantage on offense with a loaded lineup of young scorers like Nikolaj Ehlers, Kyle O’Connor, Mark Scheifele and Pierre-Luc Dubois.
However, the Habs already proved they could shutdown Toronto’s high-end talent and the Jets defense is every bit as threadbare as the Leafs. Which means of course this all-Canadian matchup will likely come down to goaltending.
READY FOR ROUND 2:
Jets prepare for 'resilient' Canadiens after win over Leafs – https://t.co/FE4a5edRGT
“A couple of the best goalies in the world…” Thompson praises Hellebuyck and Price – https://t.co/9yXuNfnqFJ#TSNHockey | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/66pHj2kdPW— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) June 1, 2021
Both Carey Price and 2020 Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck were their teams’ MVPs in the first round, so it’s hard to determine who has the edge between the pipes. Hellebuyck allowed three goals or more against Montreal in six of their nine regular season meetings, however, Winnipeg won six of those nine games.
With Price back at the peak of his powers, the Jets goaltender will have to be every bit as good as he was in the first round against the Oilers, when he compiled a 1.60 GAA and .950 save percentage.
The Pick: Jets in 6 games (+475 at BetOnline)
Bruins vs Islanders Series Odds
|
|
| Bruins To Win Series | -195 |
| Islanders To Win Series | +170 |
Boston still expected to advance
A bunch of bad bounces and a crucial overtime mistake by Bruins defenseman Jeremy Lauzon allowed the Islanders (+170) to even the series on Monday night. Boston (-195) is still the heavy favorite to advance to the Conference Finals against the winner of the Hurricanes and Lightning series, however, it won’t be easy with the series shifting to Long Island on Thursday night.
The Bruins are clearly the more talented team and “The Perfection Line” of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak are clicking on all cylinders – but the Blues proved in 2019 that they could be beat with a combination of toughness, grit and dirty play.
BRAD MARCHAND.
TIED. #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/ydT9URWcar
— NHL on NBC Sports (@NHLonNBCSports) June 1, 2021
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