The coronavirus outbreak has the NHL season on hold. Games were last played in the middle of March with most teams at the 70-game mark of an 82-game schedule. As time continues to pass by, it is beginning to look like the only way to salvage the season is to reopen play with the opening round of the playoffs.
Starting in the Eastern Conference, the Boston Bruins are the top team in the Atlantic Division standings with 100 points and the Washington Capitals’ 90 points is good enough for first in the Metro.
Using the current NHL standings in each division as a guide, here is a look at the series prices for all the opening round matchups that have been released by a few online sportsbooks.
NHL Atlantic Division
Columbus Blue Jackets (+275) vs. Boston Bruins (+330)
The Blue Jackets stunned bettors last season by sweeping the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-0 in the opening round. They would once again qualify as a crossover team from the Metro with 81 points in 70 games. Momentum could be an issue after such a long layoff after going 3-4-3 in their last 10 games.
Do not look for a repeat of last season with Boston winning this series in five games. The Bruins are the most complete team in this conference.
BEST SPORTS BETTING SITES OF 2020 TO BET THE NHL
Toronto Maple Leafs (+200) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (-240)
The Leafs have the third-best record in the Atlantic Division but the gap between the top two teams in the standings remains rather wide. All eyes will be on Tampa Bay following last season’s epic collapse but this series is a case of lessons learned.
NHL Highlights | Lightning vs. Maple Leafs – Mar. 10, 2020
The Lightning stumbled a bit before play stopped at 3-6-1 over 10 games but they will hit the ice fast in this series to win in six.
NHL Metro Division
Carolina Hurricanes (+165) vs. Washington Capitals (-190)
The Hurricanes tallied 81 points in 69 games to edge out Columbus for fourth in the Metro. They are good enough to give Washington a battle in the opening round.
The season series was tied 2-2, with each team earning a split on the road. Carolina’s play was inconsistent over the last month and a half of play so it would need a fast start on the road to gain an early edge.MORE NHL Betting: Updated NHL 2020 Futures | Eastern Conference Champ
Washington should win this series as the clear favorite but if you are looking for a value pick on an underdog, Carolina could be the way to go. Either way, I have this series going the full seven games with the slight lean towards the Capitals on experience alone.
Pittsburgh Penguins (-110) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (-110)
This would be the most competitive opening round matchup in the East by far.
The two in-state rivals were separated by three points in the standings with the Flyers (89 points) holding the slight edge. The Penguins had the 2-1 edge in the regular season with the home team winning all three games.
The big question is which Flyers’ team emerges from the long break. If the one that posted a 9-1 mark in its last 10 games maintains form, Philly is a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. Take the Flyers in seven on the strength of home ice.
