First Round Predictions

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

The Stanley Cup playoffs are here as this tournament is usually unpredictable. The Penguins have hoisted the Cup each of the last two seasons, while the Predators surprised the league by entering as a Wild Card as reaching the Cup Final.

Our stable of handicappers will provide series predictions throughout the playoffs as well as analysis on their selections.

Expert Scott Rickenbach believes the title run will end for Pittsburgh early, “I find it interesting that the Penguins (the two-time defending champions) are only a 2 to 1 favorite over the Flyers in the first round. 2 to 1 odds seem awfully low considering the Penguins not only are going for 3 straight Stanley Cup titles, they also won all the match-ups with the Flyers this season. However, 2 of those games went past regulation and I expect a boost for the Flyers here as they got goalie Brian Elliott back late in the season. He and Philly earned back to back wins including a shutout in the final game of the regular season and Elliott's return was big.”

Out west, handicapper Stephen Nover sees the miracle run for Vegas coming to a stop, "I think there is value getting a plus price with the Kings. The Golden Knights were the story of the regular season. But the Stanley Cup playoffs are an entirely different animal that the expansion Golden Knights have not experienced. The Kings are the type of hard-checking, veteran team with good goalies that can bother Vegas. Los Angeles gave up the fewest goals per game in the NHL and also ranked No. 1 in penalty killing. Having Jeff Carter back is huge for LA. The Kings were 17-10 this season with Carter on the ice.”

From an upset perspective, money leader Matt Fargo predicts Toronto knocking out Boston, “Of all the first round NHL series, this has the potential to be the biggest upset. Toronto matches up well with Boston as it caught a break with the Bruins losing in the final regular season game. This is the best season Toronto has ever had which is saying something considering the franchise is 100 yards old. Only Tampa Bay and Winnipeg had more goals than the Maple Leafs this season as they averaged 3.29 gpg. Defensively, they are not as strong as Boston, but they allowed only 10 goals in the four meetings, three of which were won by Toronto.”

Below are each analyst’s predictions for all eight opening round series:

Eastern Conference

Matchup	ASA	Ben Burns	Bill Marzano	Bruce Marshall	Doc's Sports	Gary Bart	Joe Williams	Kevin Rogers	Kyle Hunter	Matt Fargo	Scott Rickenbach	Stephen Nover
WSH vs. CLB	4-1	4-2	4-2	4-2	4-2	4-2	4-3	4-1	4-2	4-3	4-3	4-3
TB vs. NJ	4-2	4-0	4-3	4-1	4-2	4-3	4-1	4-0	4-1	4-1	4-1	4-0
PIT vs. PHI	4-3	4-1	4-2	4-3	4-3	4-2	4-3	4-1	4-1	4-1	4-2	4-2
BOS vs. TOR	4-2	4-3	4-3	4-1	4-3	4-2	4-2	4-1	4-3	4-2	4-3	4-3

Western Conference

Matchup	ASA	Ben Burns	Bill Marzano	Bruce Marshall	Doc's Sports	Gary Bart	Joe Williams	Kevin Rogers	Kyle Hunter	Matt Fargo	Scott Rickenbach	Stephen Nover
NSH vs. COL	4-0	4-0	4-1	4-0	4-1	4-1	4-2	4-1	4-1	4-1	4-1	4-1
VGK vs. LAK	4-3	4-2	4-3	4-3	4-2	4-2	4-3	4-3	4-3	4-3	4-2	4-2
WPG vs. MIN	4-3	4-3	4-2	4-3	4-1	4-2	4-1	4-2	4-2	4-2	4-2	4-3
ANH vs. SJ	4-3	4-3	4-3	4-3	4-2	4-3	4-1	4-3	4-3	4-3	4-3	4-2

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NHL APR 22, 2024

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VegasInsider Staff