2021 NHL Playoff Odds

The Beards are back in town! The 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway and we’ve already seen some interesting NHL Playoff odds, several overtime games, and a ton of high-intensity action. BetRivers.com is proud to provide a wide variety of NHL Playoff odds, props, and teasers for Tuesday, May 18. If you want to bet on 2021 NHL Playoff, online sports betting Illinois is the best website to place your bets.

Washington beating Boston in Game 1 gave us the chance to jump on the Bruins to win the series at +115. We already had the Islanders at +450 to win the EAST so feeling pretty good about that. Click here for the full list of NHL Playoff Series Odds.

In the West, despite Vegas outshooting Minnesota 20-5 in the first period, Minnesota won the game 1-0. Both goalies were fantastic, but I do think Vegas figures out Wild netminder, Cam Talbot before it’s too late and ultimately wins the series. Minnesota are a good hockey team, but when Vegas is rolling, they are far superior. 

The Golden Knights’ Game 1 loss gives us an opportunity to grab them at +375 ML to win the WEST. Do I think they beat Colorado? Probably not. Do I think it’ll be a really close series? Yes. At +375, there’s too much value to ignore. And remember, if Vegas does beat the Wild and ends up facing Colorado in the next round, we can always hedge and guarantee ourselves a nice profit.

I’m also betting on Vegas to win the Series vs Minnesota at -105 ML

As for tonight’s NHL Playoff odds, there’s a couple of bets we’re firing on. 

NHL Playoff Odds: First Round Series Preview

No. 1 Pittsburgh Penguins (0-1) vs. No. 4 New York Islanders (1-0)
Game 2: Tuesday, May 18, 7:30 p.m. ET
Moneyline: Penguins -136 ML, Islanders +117 ML
Puck Line:  Penguins -1 (+120), Islanders +1 (-143)
Over/Under: 5.5 (+120/-143)
Click here for Penguins-Islanders Game 2 odds.

The Penguins threw everything they had at New York in game 1 and it still wasn’t enough. The Islanders dominated the 3rd period and OT and got the comeback win. Pittsburgh has to be in their heads now. This is five straight playoff losses to the Islanders and they’ve lost 10 of their last 11 playoff games overall. Malkin is still injured (I think) and Tristan Jarry is still not a particularly good goaltender. 

Yet, despite all this, the Penguins are favored. I mentioned this in the beginning of the season and nothing has changed. When the Islanders are favored, avoid them. When they are dogs, bet on them… Follow this rule and you’ll make a lot of money. The Islanders are a veteran team that won’t take their foot off the pedal despite being up by a game in the series. 

The Pick: New York Islanders +120 ML

No. 2 Vegas Golden Knights (40-14-2, 82pts) vs. No. 3 Minnesota Wild (35-16-5, 75pts)
Game 2: Tuesday, May 18, 10:00 p.m. ET
Moneyline: Golden Knights -162 ML, Wild +140 ML
Puck Line:  Golden Knights -1 (-103) Wild +1 (-115)
Over/Under: 5.5 (+107/-125)
Click here for Golden Knights-Wild Game 2 odds.

I mentioned my case for Vegas above. The Golden Knights have trouble scoring – we saw that in last year’s playoffs, but tonight it’s all about Vegas. 

Minnesota is a young team and I suspect (in stark contrast to the Islanders), they are content winning one of the first two games on the road. Does that mean, they aren’t going to play hard tonight? Of course not. But, if they lose just a little bit of that edge, Vegas should roll.

And roll…

The Pick: Vegas Golden Knights -157 ML