Connor McDavid

Most of the time, last year’s champion is among the favorites to repeat again the next season. But that’s not true when it comes to the National Hockey League’s most valuable player betting lines.

Taylor Hall became the first New Jersey Devil ever to win the Hart Trophy last season. The first overall pick in the 2008 draft earned 72 out of 164 first-place votes. The Alberta native, who finished sixth in the league in scoring with 93 points, isn't even in the Top 5 for this year's MVP.

The Edmonton Oilers did something this season that only five visiting NHL teams have accomplished - they won a game in regulation at Minnesota's XL Energy Center. The Oilers, however, haven't been so lucky against the Wild on home ice. Minnesota has won eight in a row over the Oilers at Edmonton. The Oilers haven't beaten the Wild at home since a 4-1 verdict on Dec. 22, 2011.

The Edmonton Oilers were four minutes away from a 3-2 series lead over Anaheim and blew it. Now they must stave off elimination at home, while the St. Louis Blues look to do likewise on the road, down 3-2 to the Nashville Predators.

The home team is 0-3 in the Western Conference series between the Edmonton and Anaheim . The same trend holds forth in the Eastern Conference set between Washington and Pittsburgh? Whatever became of home-ice advantage?

Things were over quickly in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. Nashville and Anaheim advanced via sweeps, while St. Louis took five games. Only Edmonton was required to go as far as six games to get through.

It's get it going or go home time for three teams. The Minnesota Wild have staved off elimination once already, while the San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens will both have their mettle tested for the first time.

First they couldn't score. Then they could protect a two-goal lead. The Chicago Blackhawks are down 3-0 to the Nashville Predators and have scored two goals in the three losses. Is they any hope left for the Western Conference's best team?

It's been a breakout season for the Columbus Blue Jackets but they struggled down the stretch and dropped their playoff opener to the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is a must-win situation for them if they don't want it to be all over quickly.

A team chock full of rookies required to play significant roles, everyone anticipated that the surprising Toronto Maple Leafs would fade as the NHL season got into crunch time. Instead, the young Leafs are playing some of their best hockey.