[SBR Andy]

The NHL Playoffs are here. Get betting insights from SBR's analysts, along with the best sportsbook promos/odds boosts all postseason long.


NHL Stanley Cup Odds
By: Neil Parker

Favorite: Avalanche (+700 via FanDuel)

"The reigning Stanley Cup champs are the favorites to advance out of the Western Conference. Colorado continues to string together wins despite consistently playing with key contributors sidelined. Nathan MacKinnon has been a multi-point machine with 29 goals and 28 assists through 34 games following the All-Star break, and the team's goaltending has been sneaky good.

The Avs finished with the fourth-best team save percentage at five-on-five (.924), and look out if that carries over into the postseason. Finally, I expect the widely available +700 odds to shrink quickly following a strong Round 1 from Colorado."


Contender: Oilers (+900 via BetMGM)

"The Oilers will go as far as their superstar duo will carry them, and in particular Hart Trophy-lock Connor McDavid. Edmonton made key additions prior to the trade deadline, and goaltender Stuart Skinner is settling in as the No. 1 starter while winning 14 of 16 starts with a .917 save percentage since March 1."


Long Shot: Panthers (+3500 via Ceasars)

"Florida cruised to a 12-5-2 finish with the third-highest Corsi For percentage (55.4%) and eighth-highest expected goals for percentage (54.2%) at five-on-five. With the Panthers peaking heading into the postseason, they could quickly prove to be a pesky Round 1 opponent."


Fade: Bruins (+340 via FanDuel)

"Unless peak Bobby Orr suddenly starts jumping the boards for the Spoked Bs, I’m steering clear. There’s absolutely no value left in the available odds, and the numbers across our best sportsbooks are likely to continue shrinking. For example, there was still a Bruins +450 available through DraftKings following the trade deadline on March 4."



Conn Smythe Trophy Odds
By: Neil Parker

Favorite: Connor McDavid, Oilers (+11 via FanDuel)

"The Edmonton Oilers superstar is already the overwhelming choice to win the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player to his team during the regular season. So, why not sprinkle on McDavid to carry the success over to the playoffs?If Edmonton wins it all, McDavid is all but guaranteed to win the Conn Smythe Trophy, and the Oilers are cruising. McDavid racked up 14 goals and 24 assists to lead the Oil to an NHL-best, 18-2-1 record since March 1.I wouldn’t be surprised if these odds shrink in a hurry."


Contender: Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs (+2800 via Caesars)

"Imagine scoring 40 times and adding another 45 helpers for the hot-button Toronto Maple Leafs and it being considered a 'down year'.Alas, Matthews took a slight step back statistically during the regular season, but I’m of the opinion that he’s heading into the playoffs healthy and playing better than ever. I also see incredible value in the long +2400 price.The Maple Leafs’ Stanley Cup odds are way shorter than Matthew’s Conn Smythe number, and if Toronto ends its 56-year Cup drought, No. 34 is going to be the No. 1 reason why."


Long Shot: Igor Shesterkin, Rangers (+3500 via FanDuel)

"The reigning Vezina Trophy winner has found his game, and that’s an absolutely frightening reality for 15 other teams.The New York Rangers' No. 1 goaltender heads to the postseason on a sterling 9-2-1 stretch with a .944 save percentage, 1.74 GAA, and 9.0 goals saved above average. Remember, too, Shesterkin posted a dominant .929-2.59-11.9 line across 20 playoff games last year.I despise the lazy narratives surrounding the importance of goaltending this time of year, but it’s also hard to argue with the impact Shesterkin could have on New York’s fate this spring, especially with some upsets needed along the way for the Metropolitan Division's No. 3 seed."


Fade: Sebastian Aho, Hurricanes (+4000 via Caesars)

"I have zero qualms with the price Caesars and PointsBet is hanging for Aho, I just don’t project the Carolina Hurricanes making it to the Stanley Cup Final.The ‘Canes took a huge hit when winger Andrei Svechnikov (knee) was lost for the year, and with him snacking on pretzels in the press box, Carolina skidded to a run-of-the-mill, 9-8-1 record to conclude the regular season. Don’t make a donation to the books with an Aho ticket – or any other Hurricanes player, for that matter."



NHL Playoffs Promos

DraftKings: 4/17 - 4/23 - Opt in for a No Sweat Same Game Parlay. Minimum 3 legs, if your bet loses get a bonus bet back up to $10.

Caesars: 4/17 - 4/19 - Opt in and receive (2) 25% profit boosts for any NHL markets. Minimum odds -200, max bet $50.

BetMGM: Place $100 in cumulative NHL wagers (min. -200 odds) between 4/17 and 4/19 and receive a $25 bonus bet to use on any NHL game.

What bets are you making for the NHL Playoffs? Comment below!

[SBR Andy]

Using the 25% profit boost from Caesars to take a shot on the Panthers at +244 vs Boston tonight.

Caesars had the best original price at +195, so boosting it to +244 gives it some value if you think Florida can win this game more than 30% of the time.