The NHL is down to its final four teams in the quest for this season’s Stanley Cup. There have been a few surprises along the way during the opening rounds of postseason play. Now that we are heading into the best-of-seven semifinal showdowns, there is some excellent betting action on the board.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Betonline.ag sportsbook has released its series price odds for the two matchups starting with the Vegas Golden Knights as heavy -500 favorites against the Montreal Canadiens as +395 underdogs.
That best-of-seven series gets underway on Monday, June 14, with Game 1. Vegas has been opened as a -270 home favorite in that game, with the total set at 5.5 goals.
The Golden Knights needed the full seven games to get past Minnesota in the opening round. After going down 2-0 against Colorado in the West Division Finals while getting outscored 10-3, the Knights found their form with four straight wins by a combined score of 17-8.
Montreal has been the biggest story in this season’s playoffs after finishing fourth in the North Division. As heavy underdogs against Toronto, the Canadiens were able to fight their way back from a 3-1 series deficit with three straight victories.
As an underdog against Winnipeg in the next round, Montreal swept the Jets in four games by outscoring them 14-6. Heading into this semifinal showdown, a small play on the Canadiens’ +395 odds could be seen as a value bet.
Each of these teams is playing at top form right now, but Montreal has the added value of playing with nothing to lose. If it can steal Game 1 on the road, it would also have momentum on its side moving forward.
New York Islanders vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
This best-of-seven semifinal showdown got underway on Sunday, with the Islanders grinding out the 2-1 victory as +165 road underdogs.
As a result of the Game 1 loss as -185 home favorites, the defending Stanley Cup champs are now listed as -120 favorites on the adjusted series price odds. New York is set as an even-money +100 underdog.
Game 2 is set for Tuesday night in Tampa Bay, with the Lightning listed as -175 home favorites. The Islanders are +158 road underdogs, with the total line set at 5.5 goals.
The pressure is dialed up on Tampa Bay to avoid a 0-2 hole, and it should come through to even this series at one game apiece.
The Lighting began their title defense with a six-game battle against Florida. They earned a 2-0 series lead with back-to-back road wins in the first two games.
The next series against Carolina lasted five games, with Tampa Bay winning the final two matchups by a combined score of 8-4.
New York finished fourth in the East Division standings and drew the Pittsburgh Penguins in the opening round. Falling behind 2-1 in that series, the Islanders won the next three games by doubling up the Penguins 12-6.
Facing the Boston Bruins in the East Division Finals, they overcame another 2-1 series deficit with a trio of victories over the Bruins by a combined score of 15-7. The total has gone OVER or ended as a PUSH in six of the Islanders’ last eight postseason games.
Both of these teams are playing at a high level as well. However, I am taking the current value in Tampa Bay’s -120 odds on the series price. I expect the Lightning to drive that price higher with a win on Tuesday night.
