It's an exciting time to be an NHL bettor. The first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs are wrapping up. Select second-round futures are already available. And, of course, Stanley Cup odds are being updated daily. Our latest and greatest primer is going to cover everything that's accessible. This is to say, our NHL playoff picks wil cover second-round predictions, first-round game lines and updated Stanley Cup odds.
Let's begin with NHL odds on the Thursday night games for some of the remaining first-round series. These game lines come courtesy of BetOnline:
| Favorite |  | | Underdog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Maple Leafs | -230 | +205 | Montreal Canadiens |
| Carolina Hurricanes | -135 | +122 | Nashville Predators |
Be sure to double-check these NHL playoff betting odds just in case they shift between now and the opening faceoff.
Updated NHL Playoff Picks and Odds
After we get through Thursday's two first-round games, we'll move on to the series price for the second-round matchup between the Boston Bruins and New York Islanders, as it's the only one so far set. And once we're done there, we will drop our latest, and official, prediction for which team will win the 2021 Stanley Cup.
Toronto Maple Leafs (-230) vs. Montreal Canadiens (+205)
Series Score: Maple Leafs lead 3-1
The Maple Leafs took care of business in Game 4, just like we predicted. When all was told, they shut out the Canadiens 4-0, in a matchup that felt fait accompli from the very first faceoff.
Though this series was considered lopsided in the first place, the degree to which Montreal is struggling to score on Toronto's defense is shocking. The Canadiens have now totaled just four goals through the first four games and are being outscored 12-4 for the series.
You know where this pick is headed.
OSB Prediction: Maple Leafs (-230)
Carolina Hurricanes (-135) vs. Nashville Predators (+122)
Series Score: Hurricanes lead 3-2
Okay, we confess: The Predators had us smitten after rattling off two straight victories to knot up the series at two games apiece. They then squandered that goodwill with a Game 5 loss.
Still, it was a close letdown. They fell by virtue of an overtime goal, ultimately losing 3-2. We can't help but shake the fact that the Predators' offense has discovered something different within itself. They've got eight different players who have tallied at least three points in this series, led by Ryan Ellis' four points.
Sure, the Hurricanes have more talent at the top. Jordan Staal is an absolute stud, and Sebastian Aho is having a postseason to remember. But we think the Predators have worn them down and can at least force a Game 7.
For anyone, who's willing to assume more risk, BetOnline is offering series prices on this first-round showdown. The Hurricanes are a -625 to win while the Predators are at +485. If you're prepared to invest in them for Game 6, it might not be a bad idea to take a stab at their series odds.
OSB Prediction: Predators (+122)
Series Preview: Boston Bruins (-205) vs. New York Islanders (+275)
Series Start Date: TBD
Welp, the Islanders shocked just about everyone by pulling off the upset over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Round 1. They now move on to the Bruins, against whom they're heavy underdogs.
We get the logic behind the decision. The Bruins are allowing under 2.4 goals per game on the year, the fourth-best mark in the league. They are built to turn every matchup into a rock fight and just made quick work of the Washington Capitals in five games during the first round.
And yet: The Islanders are on a miniature tear. They just dispatched the Penguins in five games themselves, over the course of which they piled on 16 goals. There is no overstating the importance of their offensive uptick, led by scoring surges from two of their centers, a winger and defenseman.
Honestly, if the Islanders are going to score at this rate, they might just be unbeatable. They have the second-best defense by goals allowed per game, and nobody is better at limiting powerplay opportunities. Prepare yourselves for another series upset.
OSB Second-Round Series Prediction: Islanders (+275)
Latest 2021 Stanley Cup Prediction
Below you can find the latest 2021 Stanley Cup betting odds. Please note these come from Bovada and are accurate as of Wednesday, May 26:
| Stanley Cup Pick |  |
|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +180 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +225 |
| New York Islanders | +550 |
| Montreal Canadiens | +950 |
There has been a lot of movement on the Stanley Cup front. The Islanders, most notably, went from hovering somewhere between 30- and 50-to-1 to sitting at 14-to-1. Clearly, the oddsmakers are to some extent buying into their candidacy.
Meanwhile, the Bruins feel incredibly overvalued at +450. We need to see how their offense tests against a superior defense like that from New York. Investing in the Predators at +5000 has curb appeal if you think they can win two straight against Hurricanes.
Our overall pick remains the same as it has ever been: The Colorado Avalanche at +250. They steamrolled the St. Louis Blue in four games during the first round, and they continue to rank near the top of the league in both offensive and defensive metrics. They're the choice until another team forces them out of the postseason.
OSB Stanley Cup Prediction: Avalanche (+250)
Check out this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can decide which one to use for all your NHL betting:
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