The NHL playoffs will get underway on Wednesday as we now know the eight teams and the four matchups in the Eastern Cofnerence. BetDSI has posted the betting lines and series prices for each of the contests, so here’s a closer look at all of the matchups.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New Jersey Devils
Series Price: Lighting -300, Devils +220
The Lightning powered to the top seed in the Atlantic Division with 113 points, while the Devils got the final wild card with 97 points to return to the postseason for the first time since 2012. Tampa Bay led the NHL in goals scored, led by the duo of Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos, but goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy struggled over the five weeks of the season. The Devils could be able to take advantage of that through Taylor Hall, who had a fantastic season. However, the Devils don’t want to get into an offensive shootout with the Lightning, so goalies Keith Kinkaid or Cory Schneider will have to be at their best. The Devils won all three meetings with the Lightning this season, all by a single goal, so that is something to keep in mind.
Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Series Price: Bruins -155, Maple Leafs +125
The Bruins finished a point behind the Lightning in the Atlantic, while Toronto was just seven points behind to take the Atlantic’s third seed. The Bruins are as solid as they come, ranking sixth in goals scored, fourth in goals against and on the power play, and third in penalty killing. Brad Marchand was great this season, as was Tuukka Rask, but getting 35 goals from 21-year-old David Pastrnak was huge for Boston. The Maple Leafs were third in goals scored and second on the power play, and they improved defensively. Toronto won three of four against Boston this season, but the Maple Leafs need Frederik Andersen to outplay Rask to win.
Washington Capitals vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
Series Price: Capitals -175, Blue Jackets +145
The Capitals won the Metropolitan Division, while the Blue Jackets took the first wild card in the East. The Capitals were ninth in goals scored, led by Alexander Ovchekin, who earned his seventh “Rocket” Richard Trophy with 49 goals. The Blue Jackets don’t have that kind of firepower, but they are ninth in the NHL in goals against and reigning Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky had a great season in goal. If the Blue Jackets have one glaring weakness, it is on special teams, where they were 25th on the power play and 26th in penalty killing. The Capitals won three of four over Columbus this season.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Series Price: Penguins -220, Flyers +170
The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions from Pittsburgh are the second seed from the Metropolitan, while the Flyers finished two points behind. The Penguins started slowly, but led by Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, they finished third in the league in goals scored and first on the power play. That doesn’t bode well for the Flyers, who were 29th in penalty killing this season and they can’t afford to lose their cool in their return to the postseason. The Penguins swept their season series with the Flyers, winning all four of their meetings.
