Updated NHL Playoff Series Odds For All First-Round Matchups

The most notable movement in the NHL Playoff series odds comes courtesy of the Rangers vs Devils series. New York is now a -280 favorite to advance after opening as a +100 series underdog.

The only other series that has seen the favorite and underdog flip is Stars vs Wild. With Minnesota holding a 2-1 series lead, Dean Evason’s club become the favorite at -200 after opening as the +120 underdog.

Interestingly enough, oddsmakers are keeping the Oilers as favorites over the Kings despite LA going up 2-1 in the series. With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in the picture, Edmonton can never be counted out in the NHL Playoff bracket.

Rangers Now Heavy Favorites Over Devils

The latest NHL Playoff series odds indicate that oddsmakers weren’t far off with their initial round 1 series predictions. The one matchup they may have miscalculated, however, is the Rangers vs Devils series.

New York has taken a 2-1 series lead in the “Hudson River rivalry” despite not having home-ice advantage. The Rangers won the first two games at Prudential Center in commanding fashion, outscoring NJD 10-2.

The movement in the NHL playoff series odds indicate that NYR has gone from a 50% chance to advance to Round 2 to a 74% chance. This is even after dropping Game 3 by a 2-1 score at Madison Square Garden.

The other series that has flip-flopped in terms of betting odds is Stars vs Wild. Minnesota has taken a 2-1 series lead, and the updated odds imply they now have a 67% chance to advance after opening with a 45% chance.

The only other first-round series that features the underdog in the lead is Oilers vs Kings. Although LA has grabbed a 2-1 series lead, the Oilers are still favored to advance. Jay Woodcroft’s team’s chances, however, have dropped from 69% to 50%.

Bruins, Avs Viewed as Biggest Powerhouses

Although each series has only featured three total games played, two teams are separating themselves from the pack of contenders. The Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche are both now huge favorites to advance onto Round 2 in the NHL playoff odds.

Boston has gone up 2-1 on the Florida Panthers, while Colorado has also taken a 2-1 series lead over their first-round opponent, the Seattle Kraken. DraftKings Sportsbook is pricing both teams at exactly -650 odds apiece to advance to the second round.

— y – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) April 23, 2023

Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised by the success of Boston and Colorado considering the two teams entered the postseason ranking 1-2 in the Stanley Cup odds. But it speaks to how confident oddsmakers are to make them such heavy favorites after just three contests.

Colorado is the team that saw the biggest odds jump, as they opened at only -180 to defeat the Kraken in Round 1. There were some injury concerns for the Avs, but even that original line may have been mispriced, as it was immediately slammed and bet up to the -200 range.

The next team closest to these two powerhouses based on the NHL series odds is the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sheldon Keefe’s team is now listed at -360 odds to beat Tampa Bay after opening at -120. The Leafs’ Game 3 victory was significant, as they’ve gone from a 55% to 76% chance to advance.