NHL Postseason Picks 2021
The teams setting out in pursuit of the Stanley Cup will be kicking it old school with the format for the 2021 NHL playoffs. For the first time since the spring of 1993, the first two rounds of the postseason will be comprised entirely of intra-divisional matchups. As well, since the entire regular season was contested intra-divisionally due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Stanley Cup final will pit teams against each other for the first time all season.
- The Colorado Avalanche are the +500 favorites to win the 2021 Stanley Cup
- Colorado's West Division rivals the Vegas Golden Knights are the second betting choice at +550
- The Toronto Maple Leafs (+600) have the shortest odds of any non-West Division squad
If one of the top three favorites in the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup odds comes through and captures the title, that team will either be making history or ending a long title drought. The favored Colorado Avalanche (+500) hasn't won the Cup since 2001. At +550, the Vegas Golden Knights are the second betting choice. Vegas has never won an NHL championship.
THE FIELD IS SET! 🚨
— NHL on NBC Sports (@NHLonNBCSports) May 11, 2021
Say hello to the 16 teams who will battle for the right to lift the #StanleyCup. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/duTiIsiCRy
When it comes to Stanley Cup droughts, the Toronto Maple Leafs are the kings of failure. Listed at +600 to win the title, Toronto's last Stanley Cup win came during the 1966-67 season, when the NHL was a six-team league.
| Team |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | +500 | +450 | +500 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +550 | +550 | +500 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +600 | +600 | +650 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +750 | +700 | +650 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +800 | +650 | +550 |
The defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning can be had for odds of +750. However, since 1998, just one team - the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2015-16 and 2016-17 - have managed to win back-to-back titles.
How Will The West Be Won in the 2021 NHL Playoffs?
Not since the 1980s, when the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers butted heads every spring in the Smythe Division playoffs, have oddsmakers liked two teams from the same division in the Stanley Cup betting lines as much as they're fond of the Avalanche and Golden Knights.
Between 1983-90, one of Edmonton or Calgary represented the Western Conference in every Stanley Cup final. It's possible that a potential second-round matchup between the Avs and Vegas will go a long way toward determining who comes out on top in the NHL playoff odds.
We're headed to the #StanleyCupPlayoffs for the 44th time in franchise history. https://t.co/0Oa89T6dmU
— x - St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) May 8, 2021
In fact, getting out of the West could prove a daunting task even before those two teams clash. The fourth-place St. Louis Blues were Stanley Cup champions as recently as 2019 and are playing their best hockey of the season right now. The Minnesota Wild won five of eight games from the Golden Knights this season.
Canadian Content Picks for the 2021 NHL Playoffs
The inclusion of the all-Canadian North Division this season ensures that for the first time since 2018 a Canadian team will be part of the Stanley Cup final four. No Canadian club has played in the Stanley Cup final since the Vancouver Canucks lost to the Boston Bruins in 2011. The 1992-93 Montreal Canadiens were the last Canadian-based Stanley Cup championship squad.
For the first time in 42 years, it will be Toronto vs. Montreal in the #StanleyCup Playoffs. #NHLStats
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 12, 2021
2021 First Round: @MapleLeafs vs. @CanadiensMTL pic.twitter.com/0aeLZweMki
For the first time since 1979, the Canadiens and Maple Leafs will clash in the postseason, as they are slated to meet in the opening round of the NHL playoffs. Every time the Leafs and Canadiens have previously met in the NHL playoffs, the series winner has gone on to capture the Stanley Cup. Toronto's most recent playoff win over Montreal came on May 2, 1967, the last day that the Leafs earned the right to lift the Stanley Cup.
Value Bets Worthy Of Consideration
The Central Division champion Carolina Hurricanes are as low as +550 in the NHL Stanley Cup odds at MyBookie. No team is deeper along the blueline and Carolina should be able to score enough to win tight-checking playoff games. The only question regarding the Hurricanes is whether their goaltending is strong enough to run the Stanley Cup gauntlet.
The East Division appears to be getting overlooked in the Stanley Cup odds. All four teams can be had for a betting line of +1000 or longer. The Boston Bruins are coming together just in time for the playoffs and the Washington Capitals and New York Islanders also shouldn't be overlooked. But the team that keeps surprising everyone among this group is the Penguins.
Coach Sullivan: "We've done the heavy lifting to this point to earn the privilege to compete for the Stanley Cup, and now the fun starts."
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 10, 2021
The Penguins are proud of what they've accomplished, but aren't done yet.
Full story: https://t.co/IC8N9M18pc pic.twitter.com/vYonmt3zZN
Still led by the trio of past Hart Trophy winners Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin along with underrated defenseman Kris Letang, the Penguins overcame the surprise retirement of GM Jim Rutherford and a never-ending rash of injuries to win the East title. Overlook them at your peril.
Where To Bet On The NHL Postseason 2021?
There are a number of leading online sports betting sites that will provide bettors the chance to place a wager on the NHL postseason. The best bet you can make is to shop around in advance and seek out the ideal deal before joining one of these sportsbooks. Check out BetUS and MyBookie as examples.
The signup bonus offers that are in place at all of these recommended sites will prove advantageous to the bettor. And since you'll get a solid opportunity wherever you go, why not browse through the various sportsbooks and find the proper fit for your needs?
Who's going to win the Stanley Cup this year? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/8877hcIW9X
— BarDown (@BarDown) May 11, 2021
Do you want a risk-free first bet as a signup bonus? Perhaps you find a no-deposit bonus to be enticing. Or maybe you simply like the feel of cold, hard cash in your account and you want to go for a matching first deposit bonus. Whatever option you choose, you're already a winner.
Remember that new players and returning customers are eligible for better bonuses when they deposit using Bitcoin. As well, take advantage of the betting advice offered at these sites to help newcomers acclimatize to sports betting.
See below the top sportsbooks, like Bovada, where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
