NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting: Odds, Predictions, Best Bets

The NHL playoffs are taking place. The games will be played in empty arenas in one of two host cities without fans. Vegas Golden Knights will lose out on a major advantage playing without their raucous fan base at T-Mobile Arena. The proposed opening formats would all be best-of-five series and the remaining series would be the best of seven games.

Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers are the first round byes in the Eastern Conference. The play-in series will decide which teams will move on to the traditional round of 16.

(9) Columbus Blue Jackets +140, (8) Toronto Maple Leafs -160. Winner plays No. 1 seed.

Vegas Whispers likes Toronto's potential but thinks they won't get beyond the Blue Jackets.

Jaime Eisner picks Toronto over Columbus. The Maple Leafs have a trio of the best forwards in the world in Auston Matthews, John Tavares and Mitch Marner.

The winner of the Stanley Cup playoffs will play the No. 4 seed Pittsburgh Penguins.

Jake Guentzel and Brendan Gallagher will be able to play in the Stanley Cup playoffs after a long layoff.

The Habs are the worst team to make the tournament in either conference. The Penguins are a heavy favorite. Jake Guentzel could return during this series.

11 New York Rangers are the favorite to win the Stanley Cup. The winner plays No. 3 seed Carolina Hurricanes.

Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad is a hot commodity. Igor Shesterkin is injured but could return for the Rangers. The Rangers are +130 favourites to win the series.

Jaime Eisner believes the Rangers will win the Stanley Cup. He thinks the game is one of the closest of NHL playoffs.

(10) Florida Panthers -120, (7) New York Islanders -100, Winner plays No. 2 seed.

The Islanders lost seven in a row and 11 of their last 13 before the break. The time off gives them time to get healthy both physically and mentally. Vegas Whispers gives the Islanders a chance to beat the Panthers.

Barry Trotz's team is going to be a defensive-heavy one. Florida has plenty of high-end offensive talent. Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to play better after a time off.

St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars are the Western Conference favorites to win the Stanley Cup.

Winnipeg Jets are the favorite to win the Stanley Cup. Calgary Flames are a close second.

Vegas Whispers gives Calgary Flames a chance to advance in the playoffs.

Jamaic Eisner is betting on Winnipeg to win the Stanley Cup. He thinks Connor Hellebuyck is the key for the Jets.

The winner of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs will play the No. 4 seed. Chicago Blackhawks are the favorite.

Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the Oilers will be ready for this series against Chicago.

The Oilers are going to win the series against the Blackhawks. They have two of the best players in the world and a coach with playoff experience.

(11) Arizona Coyotes +105, (5) Nashville Predators -125, winner plays No. 3 seed.

Arizona Coyotes haven't played in the postseason since 2012. They finished the season in 11th place in Western Conference. The Coyotes have the edge in goalkeeping.

Darcy Kuemper's return will be the key to this series. Phil Kessel is a proven playoff performer and Taylor Hall should continue his first-line form. Jaime Eisner will take the Coyotes at plus-odds.

10 Minnesota Wild are the favorite to win the Stanley Cup. 7 Vancouver Canucks are a big underdogs.

Vancouver Canucks are a better team than most people give them credit for. They own the league's fourth-ranked power play and their goaltender Jacob Markstrom is playing at an MVP level.

The Wild had a good record, but the Canucks have the better team. The Canucks' top line and power play should carry this series.