The NHL playoffs will begin on Wednesday and BetDSI sportsbook has released the betting odds for each of the four series. There are a lot of entertaining matchups to look forward to in the Western Conference, which had the the top two teams in the league in points.
Nashville Predators vs. Colorado Avalanche
Series Price: Predators -320, Avalanche +240
The Predators led the NHL with 117 points and won the Central Division, while the Avalanche, captured the second wild card to return to the postseason for the first time since 2014. Nashville finished seventh in the league in goals scored, but they were also second in goals against behind another great season from Pekka Rinne. The Avalanche were 10th in goals scored and 14th in goals against, and they ranked eighth on the power play and fourth in penalty killing. Nathan McKinnon finished fifth in the NHL in scoring, but it is worrying that goalie Semyon Varlamov will miss this series with a knee injury. The Predators won all four meetings with the Avalanche, and have won ten straight overall against Colorado.
Winnipeg Jets vs. Minnesota Wild
Series Price: Jets -200, Wild +160
The Jets finished second in the Central and are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2015, while the Wild finished third in the Central. Winnipeg finished second in goals scored, fifth in goals against and on the power play, and ninth in penalty killing. The Jets also finished with an NHL-best 32 wins at home, which will help in the playoffs. The Wild were 11th in both goals scored and against, but a amkle injury to Ryan Suter ruling him out for the playoffs was a huge blow. The Jets won three of four against Minnesota this season.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Los Angeles Kings
Series Price: Golden Knights -145, Kings +115
The expansion Golden Knights were the story of the NHL this season, winning the Pacific Division, while the Kings snagged the second wild-card spot. The Golden Knights were fifth in goals scored and eighth in goals against, and they were solid on special teams as well. Even though they’re an expansion team with 25-year-old William Karlsson leading the way with 43 goals, the Golden Knights have experienced players. The Kings were average offensively, but first in goals against and in penalty killing. Jonathan Quick already has a Conn Smythe Trophy and could backstop the Kings to an upset. The two teams split four meetings this season.
Anaheim Ducks vs. San Jose Sharks
Series Price: Ducks -140, Sharks +110
The Ducks finished second in the Pacific, one point ahead of the Sharks. Anaheim had a poor offensive season, but they were third in goals against and fifth in penalty killing. An injury to goalie John Gibson should be a concern, and veterans Ryan Getzlaf and Corey have to step up to support 24-year-old Rickard Rakell. The Sharks were similar to their California rivals: not that good offensively, but pretty good defensively, ranking ninth in goals against and second in penalty killing. Brent Burns led the Sharks in points, but someone outside of Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture has to chip in offensively. The Sharks won three of four against the Ducks this season.
