Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting odds, series probabilities, and best bets for Thursday, May 4th

VSiN Hockey Betting Podcast Monday – Friday throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Thursday’s episode will feature a chat about the Stanley Cup Playoffs with pro hockey bettor So Money Sports.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Updated betting odds and series predictions for Thursday, May 4th

After both road teams won on night one of the second round, both home teams got the job done on night two, as Vegas and Carolina won decisively on Wednesday.

Updated Series Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

• Florida Panthers (-125) vs Toronto Maple Leafs (+105)
• Dallas Stars (-120) vs Seattle Kraken (EVEN)
• New Jersey Devils (+145) vs Carolina Hurricanes (-170)
• Edmonton Oilers (+120) vs Vegas Golden Knights (-140)

Updated Series Predictions

Carolina Hurricanes take 1-0 series lead

New Jersey showed some life late in the game, which is a positive sign heading into Game 2, but the Hurricanes were so dominant that early in the second period, shot attempts were 30-7 in favor of Carolina and the score was 3-0. The Devils managed to score on their next attempt, to make it 3-1, but that was as close as they came to mounting any kind of a comeback.

Carolina played what was probably their best performance of the playoffs so far, finishing with a big edge in shots (59 percent) and expected goals (67 percent). They held the Devils to around two expected goals on 18 shots on goal, which were both lows for the Devils since the postseason started.

Updated Series Probabilities

Carolina Hurricanes Win Series: 64% (-178)

• 4 Games: 11%
• 5 Games: 19%
• 6 Games: 17%
• 7 Games: 17%

New Jersey Devils Win Series: 36% (+178)

• 5 Games: 6%
• 6 Games: 14%
• 7 Games: 16%

New Jersey isn’t in uncharted territory, having already shown that they can erase a series deficit, and the Hurricanes’ core has blown series leads in the past. I still think this series will feature at least six games more than 60 percent of the time, but the Devils are going to have to show some resiliency once again.

Vegas Golden Knights take 1-0 series lead

Edmonton opened the scoring early in Game 1 but Vegas responded quickly and controlled the game from then on. The Golden Knights looked faster, and more organized in the sense that they were anticipating Edmonton turnovers and making the Oilers pay. Vegas plays aggressively, and I thought that would play into the Oilers’ strengths heading into the series, but the opposite was the case. I was wrong.

It was a convincing victory by Vegas, to say the least, with only Leon Draisaitl scoring for the Oilers. Edmonton generated 3.215 expected goals, according to Moneypuck.com, and Draisaitl’s shots accounted for almost half. The Oilers need more from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Evander Kane, and Zach Hyman if they’re going to beat the Golden Knights in a game, let alone a series. They’ll also need Connor McDavid to start scoring goals and producing more at even strength.

Updated Series Probabilities

Vegas Golden Knights Win Series: 54% (-117)

• 4 Games: 8%
• 5 Games: 15%
• 6 Games: 15%
• 7 Games: 16%

Edmonton Oilers Win Series: 46% (+117)

• 5 Games: 11%
• 6 Games: 18%
• 7 Games: 20%

The Oilers have been here before, though. Edmonton has lost the first game of each of their last four playoff matchups, and they won three, so there probably isn’t any panic in the room yet even if there should be. How Edmonton responds in Game 2 will be telling, but either way, we’re probably looking at another track meet and the game total is more heavily shaded to the over this time around.

• Florida Panthers (+155) at Toronto Maple Leafs (-180)
• Seattle Kraken (+165) at Dallas Stars (-195)

As mentioned on Wednesday, I’m on the Florida Panthers at +160 or better, and if you’re like me and think they’re the better bet, you’ll want to shop around because the Cats are priced anywhere from +150 to +170.

The odds for Seattle and Dallas are wide ranging, as well, with the Kraken priced anywhere from +165 to almost +190. DraftKings has the best price on the Stars currently, at -195, but some sportsbooks have the Stars listed as -225. Always shop around.

All bets tracked via third party app Betstamp.