Betting Preview: NHL Playoff Odds

It took every day on the schedule, but the NHL playoff matchups are finally set. The postseason kicks off with the first round starting Wednesday, but before the puck drops here’s a quick look at the matchups and the series prices from Sportsbook.com:

Eastern Conference

Washington vs. New York

Sportsbook.com has the Capitals set as -260 series favorites versus the Rangers, who actually won the season series 3-1. Washington has plenty to prove after disastrous playoff runs the past few seasons.

Philadelphia vs. Buffalo

Oddsmakers have the No. 2 Flyers priced at -170 against the Sabres, who are sitting at a tempting +140. Philadelphia floundered in the home stretch of the schedule and split its season set with Buffalo 2-2.

Boston vs. Montreal

This classic grudge match is the one series hockey purists don’t want to miss. The Habs are feisty +160 underdogs against the Bruins, who lost the season series 4-2 and failed to beat the Canadiens inside the Bell Centre. The home side is 5-0 in their last five meetings.

Pittsburgh vs. Tampa Bay

The Penguins are slight -155 faves despite not having Sidney Crosby for this first-round matchup. Home ice could be the difference for Pittsburgh; it is 4-1 in its last five meetings with Tampa Bay at home.

Western Conference

Vancouver vs. Chicago

Books are playing it safe with the defending Stanley Cup champs. While the No. 1 Canucks are hefty -240 faves, the Blackhawks are priced at a careful +180. Chicago and Vancouver split their season series 2-2, but the Blackhawks are 4-1 in their last five trips to Rogers Arena.

San Jose vs. Los Angeles

The Sharks are -280 favorites for this first-round matchup – the highest price tag for any team in the opening round. San Jose and Los Angeles went 3-3 against each other this season, but the Sharks hold a 19-8 advantage in the last 27 home tilts with the Kings.

Detroit vs. Phoenix

Books aren’t forgetting about last year’s postseason, when the Coyotes took the Red Wings to the limit. That’s why Phoenix is just a +160 underdog against Detroit, which is listed at -200 for this first-round matchup. They split their season meetings 2-2 in 2010-11.

Anaheim vs. Nashville

This is the tightest first-round series when it comes to the odds, The Ducks are set as -150 chalk while the Predators are priced at +120. Anaheim may have the edge as the No. 4 seed, with the home team going 15-6 in the last 21 meetings between these clubs.