2019 NHL Eastern Conference Playoff Odds and Betting Trends

by OddsShark (@OddsShark) – Sponsored Post

Here’s a look at the NHL odds and betting trends for the 2019 NHL Eastern Conference playoffs, including updated Stanley Cup odds for all eight teams in this half of the postseason bracket. All NHL betting lines are as listed at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

Series Price: Lightning -350 Favorites

Lightning Stanley Cup Odds: +180

Blue Jackets Stanley Cup Odds: +2500

The top-seeded Lightning have won six games in a row against the Blue Jackets heading into their first-round clash, including all three meetings between the teams this past regular season – outscoring Columbus by a 17-3 margin over those three contests. The teams last met on February 18, with Tampa Bay winning 5-1 as -150 road favorites on the NHL odds. Tampa Bay is 7-3-0 in its past 10 games heading into the playoffs, easily clinching the Presidents’ Trophy for the most points in the league. Columbus is also 7-3-0 in its past 10 games, holding off the Canadiens to take the Eastern Conference’s second wild card berth.

Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Series Price: Bruins -155 Favorites

Bruins Stanley Cup Odds: +900

Maple Leafs Stanley Cup Odds: +1800

The Bruins followed up their victory over the Maple Leafs in last year’s playoffs by beating them three times in four meetings this past regular season, including a 3-2 victory as a +110 road underdog when the teams last matched up on January 12. Boston has gone 6-4-0 over its past 10 games, finishing second only to the Lightning in the Eastern Conference standings while outpacing the Maple Leafs for second place in the Atlantic Division. Toronto has struggled to put up wins in the past few weeks, going 3-4-3 over its 10 most recent games.

Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes

Series Price: Capitals -135 Favorites

Capitals Stanley Cup Odds: +1100

Hurricanes Stanley Cup Odds: +2500

The defending Stanley Cup champion Capitals edged the Islanders by one point for first place in the Metropolitan Division standings, and as a result get a first-round date with the wild card Hurricanes. And Washington had no trouble handling Carolina during the regular season, winning all four of their meetings including a 3-2 victory as +125 road underdogs when the teams last met on March 28. Washington enters the postseason with a 6-3-1 record over its past 10 games, just enough to lock down first place in the division standings. Carolina is 6-4-0 over its past 10 games, and carries a three-game winning streak into Game 1 of this series.

New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Series Price: Penguins -140 Favorites

Islanders Stanley Cup Odds: +1600

Penguins Stanley Cup Odds: +1400

The Penguins have gone 5-2-3 over their past 10 games compared to a 6-4-0 mark for the Islanders, but New York still has home-ice advantage in this first-round playoff series. The teams split their four meetings during the regular season, with the Islanders winning in October and November but the Penguins bouncing back with a pair of victories in December; the teams last met on December 10, with Pittsburgh winning 2-1 as -135 road favorites. Totals bettors have seen the UNDER pay out in five of the last seven games between them.

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