The NHL playoffs got started last weekend, and hockey fans couldn’t be happier. NHL betting in West Virginia is always popular, and nothing is more exciting than the postseason.
With several options to choose from, Mountain State bettors can find basically any NHL market they’re looking for through WV online sportsbooks.
Since the division format for this season was altered due to COVID-19 protocols, the playoffs are a little different, too. Just like in the regular season, teams can only face other divisional opponents within the first two rounds.
The top four teams from each division qualified, with their position in the standings now acting as their seed in the playoffs.
Most series are underway, but there is plenty of time to continue betting. Each series is decided in seven games, and it appears there are some great matchups.
Let’s examine the NHL playoff bracket and take a look at all of the updated odds available at WV sportsbooks.
NHL playoff betting at WV sportsbooks
East Division
The East is off to an incredible start to these playoffs.
The top-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins lost their opener 4-3 in a tough overtime battle. New York Islanders forward Kyle Palmieri scored two goals, including the game winner in the extra period.
In the other series, the Bruins tied things up at one game apiece with their victory Monday night. Washington took the first contest by a score of 3-2.
Despite Boston being close to an 0-2 hole, DraftKings Sportsbook WV likes its chances of moving on. The online sportsbook shows its odds at -180 to advance to the next round.
Of course, the Penguins face this same predicament before heading into their second game. A loss would put the team in a very difficult spot, especially with the first two games being at home.
If you believe the Pens can recover, however, DraftKings has a fairly favorable price to wager on. You can take Pittsburgh at +140 to win the series right now.
Of these four teams, Boston owns the best odds to lift the Stanley Cup. It’s listed at +850, which are the fifth-best odds in the league.
Central Division
The Central’s first few playoff games have been just as good.
The first-place Carolina Hurricanes put together a tremendous third period to beat the Nashville Predators in the opener. They scored three times to put the game away and earn the early-series lead.
Carolina was already a decent-sized favorite prior to the first game, so now its betting odds are quite lopsided. FanDuel WV has it at -600 to win the series, while the Preds have odds of +420.
In the other matchup, the fight for the best team in Florida is on.
Tampa Bay escaped Game 1 with a win after trailing in the first period. Its 5-4 victory puts it in the driver’s seat for now, with odds of -310 to take the series.
FanDuel shows the Panthers at +240.
Although there are lots of reasons to like the Lightning, the Panthers certainly still have life. They went 5-3 against Tampa this season, with three consecutive wins to close out the year.
The Hurricanes feature the best odds to win the title among this group. According to FanDuel, they have the third-best chance at +750.
West Division
The West is very strong this season and is led by two of the top teams in hockey.
Colorado secured first place and a meeting with the St. Louis Blues in the first round. Despite a great showing from goalie Jordan Binnington, the Blues were overmatched in the first contest.
They fell 4-1 and will look to rebound in Wednesday night’s game.
With the win, DraftKings updated its odds for Colorado to win the series to -1000. Bettors can put some action down on the Blues at +600.
The other series saw Minnesota pull off the upset in Game 1. It beat the Golden Knights 1-0 in another hard-fought NHL postseason game.
Surprisingly, this first game didn’t have any goals scored in regulation. Center Joel Eriksson Ek buried the only goal to give the Wild an early-series lead.
The win officially made the series basically even in terms of the odds at WV sportsbooks. DraftKings has Minnesota slightly favored ahead of Vegas, listed at -114.
The Knights have odds of -108 to come out victorious.
Even with the deficit, the online sportsbook still lists them among the top cup contenders. Vegas owns the sixth-best odds at +1000, whereas Colorado is the overall favorite at +300.
North Division
The North is the only division that hasn’t started the playoffs yet. Its first series involving Winnipeg and Edmonton starts Wednesday, with Montreal and Toronto facing off in the other matchup on Thursday.
The Maple Leafs took the top position with 77 points and are sizable favorites heading into the opener. FanDuel shows them at -310 to win the series, compared to Montreal at +240.
Part of the discrepancy in the odds is due to how the regular season played out. Toronto won seven of its 10 meetings against its Canadian foe.
The division’s other series should be significantly closer.
The Oilers host the Jets in the first two games after beating them by nine points in the regular season. FanDuel has the Oilers as the side to beat in this one, giving them odds of -184.
The Jets are listed at +150.
Time will tell if Winnipeg is able to overcome some of its struggles against Edmonton. It won just two of their nine meetings this year.
The Maple Leafs feature the best odds to win the cup from this division. FanDuel currently has them in second in the league, at +650.
