Updated 2017 NHL Eastern Conference Odds (April 18th)

The NHL playoffs are now in full swing, and a few of the first-round series are already perilously close to being over. Even after just 3 games, it is beginning to become clear as to which teams may have an easier journey than most in the postseason, and it has to be said that a couple of those teams are a little bit of a surprise. We will be following the playoffs all the way to the end, but we thought that now might be a good time to perform a little state of the union, and perhaps look at who could be moving on, and which teams might be looking at an early exit. Let’s start by looking at the Eastern Conference match-ups to get an idea of what’s going on there. Find out more about the updated NHL betting predictions here.

Updated 2017 NHL Eastern Conference Odds (April 18th)

  

Pittsburgh Penguins Vs Columbus Blue Jackets

The Pittsburgh Penguins offense has been on fire through the opening 3 games of the series, and Pittsburgh now has a commanding, and somewhat surprising, 3-0 lead. The Blue Jackets look absolutely powerless to stop this juggernaut, although I think they may keep the series alive in Game 4 before falling in the 5th game. The Penguins suddenly look like the favorites to win it all this year, especially with the Capitals struggling.

Washington Capitals Vs Toronto Maple Leafs

The Capitals entered the playoffs for the second straight year as the President’s Trophy winners, but the postseason is once again proving to be a tough slog for them. All 3 games in the series so far have gone to OT, and it is the Leafs who have prevailed in two of those games to take a 2-1 series lead. If Toronto can hold on to their home ice advantage in Game 4, the Caps are in trouble. The Maple Leafs are an exciting young team, and while their stock is rising, they are still a dark horse pick.

Ottawa Senators Vs Boston Bruins

This is a series that always felt as though it was bound to go the full 7 games, and we have seen nothing through the opening 3 games to suggest any different. All 3 games so far have been decided by a single goal, with 2 of those game winners coming in OT. It is the Ottawa Senators who have a 2-1 lead, but given how things have gone so far, it’s fair to say that there is still a lot of hockey to be played here. The odds on these two won’t really change much until round 2.

Montreal Canadiens Vs New York Rangers

The Canadiens are another team that came into the playoffs as a legitimate dark horse pick, thanks in large part to the goaltending that they get from Carey Price. They dropped the opening game of the series, but have bounced back nicely to win Games 2 and 3 to take a 2-1 series lead, stealing back home ice advantage in the process. Game 4 is a must win for the Rangers, as a loss would see them heading back to Montreal on the brink of elimination. Canadiens must be considered the favorites here.