Daily NHL Odds and Betting Trends – 05/24/21
by OddsShark (@OddsShark) – Sponsored Post
Here’s a look at the NHL odds and betting trends for the games on today’s schedule.
All NHL betting lines below are as listed at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
Lightning vs Panthers | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Lightning -127 Favorites
Bettors will be anxiously awaiting the starting lineups for this Game 5 matchup between Tampa Bay and Florida. The Lightning lead the Central Division first-round playoff series 3-1 over the Panthers after a 6-2 victory in Game 4 as -160 road favorites on Saturday, but it did not come without a cost. The defending Stanley Cup champions saw star winger Nikita Kucherov and defenseman Mikhail Sergachev go down with injuries, and those interested in knowing their status probably will not find out how serious they are until much closer to puck drop. That said, Florida will likely try to continue its physical play in hopes of breaking through for another win here to extend the series. The Panthers have still won four of the past seven meetings.
Islanders vs Penguins | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Penguins -138 Favorites
A goalie switch has given New York new life going into Game 5 of this East Division first-round playoff series at Pittsburgh. The Islanders routed the Penguins 4-1 as -105 home underdogs in Game 4 on Saturday after losing the previous two games in the series. New York went from Semyon Varlamov to Ilya Sorokin between the pipes, and the latter stepped up big-time with 29 saves on 30 shots in the victory that tied the series at 2-2. The first three games were all decided by one goal, but much like the Bruins in their first-round matchup with the Capitals, the Islanders turned in the most dominant performance of either team at home in Game 4. The problem is, New York has lost four of five on the road, including a split of the first two games at Pittsburgh.
Maple Leafs vs Canadiens | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Maple Leafs -135 Favorites
Toronto righted the ship in Game 2 to even this North Division first-round playoff series with Montreal 1-1 and can now win back home ice in Game 3. The Maple Leafs did exactly what they needed to do on Saturday, blowing out the Canadiens 5-1 by scoring two goals in the second period and two more in the third to cash as -200 home favorites. Montreal had won the series opener 2-1 in an upset as a +175 road underdog on Thursday behind goalie Carey Price, who gave up four goals on 33 shots in Game 2. The OVER is on a 3-1 run for the Canadiens in their last four games now, and it has also gone 5-2 in their previous seven overall.
Oilers vs Jets | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Pick’em -111 Odds
Winnipeg brings a five-game winning streak into Game 4 of the other North Division first-round series versus Edmonton. The Jets will be trying to sweep the Oilers following a massive 5-4 overtime win as +115 home underdogs on Sunday that saw them rally back from a three-goal deficit in the third period. Winnipeg scored three goals in a little more than three minutes to tie Game 3 at 4-4, and then Nikolaj Ehlers scored his second of the game in OT to stun Edmonton. Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck overcame a rough start to stop 44 of 48 shots, as Oilers center Leon Draisaitl had opened the scoring in the first period with a pair of goals for an early 2-0 lead. Edmonton is on a four-game losing streak after winning three in a row and six of seven.
Wild vs Golden Knights | OddsShark Matchup Report
Opening NHL Odds: Golden Knights -167 Favorites
Vegas can also close out Minnesota in Game 5 at T-Mobile Arena after winning two at the Xcel Energy Center by a combined score of 9-2 for a 3-1 series lead in their West Division first-round matchup. The Golden Knights certainly looked like they were struggling offensively early in this series, splitting the first two games at home and outscoring the Wild by a 4-1 margin. But it was Minnesota that barely scored at home with just two goals total, getting blanked 4-0 in Game 4 on Saturday as a +105 underdog. The Wild have lost three straight games and five of six dating back to the end of the regular season while the Golden Knights have won seven of nine.
Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for analysis on this week’s top games. As well, the OddsShark Computer serves up daily NHL picks for bettors.