The first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is (mostly) set after Thursday night’s 15-game slate, and now it is time for fans and bettors alike to turn attention to the matchups on the ice. Sportsbooks have begun to drop their Stanley Cup Playoffs series odds, with the New York Rangers opening as a slight underdog in what should be an action-packed series against the rival New Jersey Devils in the first round.
Check out all the odds below:
NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Series Odds: Rangers-Devils Fireworks
Rangers vs. Devils
The New York Rangers went all in on their 2023 team at the trade deadline when they acquired Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko. But despite being one of the most exciting and dangerous teams in the Eastern Conference, they will face the tall task of going up against a young Devils team that has proven they are ready to compete.
Per DraftKings Sportsbook, the Devils (-120) open as the slight series favorite over the Rangers (+100) after earning the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division and getting home-ice advantage in the first round.
Maple Leafs vs. Lightning
Another tight battle is expected in the first round between the Lightning and Maple Leafs. The Leafs have been the first-round favorites for the last four years, and they have disappointed in that time. This year could be much of the same, as the Maple Leafs (-150) open as slight favorites over the Lightning (+130).
It was Tampa Bay who bounced the Leafs from last year’s postseason, winning the first-round series in a thrilling seven-game series. But this year’s Lightning squad comes limping into the playoffs after losing four of its past five games, including a 4-3 loss to the Leafs last week.
Hurricanes vs. Islanders
The Islanders were able to secure the final Wild Card spot in the East after the Pittsburgh Penguins struggled down the stretch, failing to make the playoffs for the first time in 16 years. Their reward? A date with a Hurricanes team many see as a dark horse to win the Stanley Cup.
The Hurricanes have experience, defensive prowess and four productive lines to run through. They unsurprisingly come in as the favorite to win this first round matchup. DraftKings has the Hurricanes (-190) as the favorite over the Islanders (+160). But as we have seen over the years, anything is possible in a seven-game playoff hockey series.
Bruins vs. Panthers
The Islanders may have a tall task, but not nearly as tall as what the Panthers have in front of them. Florida took a step back in 2022-23 after being considered a threat in previous years, but the Panthers still reached the ultimate goal of earning a playoff spot. However, they are not getting much respect when playing against a Bruins juggernaut that set the all-time points record in the NHL after a dominant 65-12-5 season.
Boston (-320) comes in as the heavy favorite over the Panthers (+250) and the favorites to win the Stanley Cup. the Bruins should be able to make quick work of Florida before moving on in their historic season.
Oilers vs. Kings
Is it finally time for Connor McDavid and the Oilers to take the next step? Edmonton comes into the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the hottest team in hockey, winning their last nine games. They will be favorites (-220) in a tough matchup against a really solid Kings (+180) team.
But it is quite possible that nobody can match the star power Edmonton possesses, especially not the Kings. Los Angeles faced off against the Oilers in the first round last year, putting up a valiant effort before losing in Game 7. But this Oilers team looks even more dangerous and is playing their best hockey of the McDavid era right now.
Golden Knights vs. Jets
The Golden Knights earned the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference despite the Oilers’ late surge up the standings and appear poised to make a deep run in the playoffs. They open as a -170 favorite over the Jets (+140).
Winnipeg won the final Wild Card spot in the West over the Nashville Predators and Calgary Flames in the final week and will try to carry that momentum over when trying to pull off the upset.
There are still two playoff series yet to be decided in the Western Conference. If the Colorado Avalanche beat the Nashville Predators on Friday, they will earn the No. 1 seed in the Central Division and play the Seattle Kraken in the first round. If they lose, the Dallas Stars will remain atop the division and Colorado will be forced to play the Minnesota Wild.
With the Avs coming into Friday’s matchup as a heavy favorite, the most likely scenario is seeing Avalanche-Kraken and Stars-Wild series.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs series odds show a lot of close first-round matchups, with all the action set to begin early next week. Bettors should be sure to check out OddsShopper tools for all the best value on NHL bets throughout the postseason!
