Mad Bets: Stanley Cup Playoffs Rd. 1 Betting Odds

Minty Bets gives her top picks for the 1st Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Video Transcript

MINTY BETS: Minty Bets here with the Stanley Cup Playoffs round-one series winners. For the Eastern Conference, I like the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Columbus Blue Jackets minus 230. Although the Blue Jackets swept the Lightning in the playoffs last year, I don't expect deja vu this year. This Tampa Bay team is a very well-balanced team with a good mix of young and experienced players. They take good shots and are able to score goals when needed while not allowing too many from their opponents.

Next up, I like the Carolina Hurricanes plus 125 over the Boston Bruins. One key disadvantage Boston might have is that they are one of the oldest teams in the league competing with one of the youngest. The Carolina Hurricanes are a young and speedy team, and I could see the Bruins struggle in this match-up here as Carolina is a much better team this season than they were last season. So they'll be well prepared to face the Boston Bruins again.

In the Western Conference, I like the Colorado avalanche minus 250 over the Arizona Coyotes. Colorado is an all-around great team. Their defense is one of the best in the league. And although Arizona's goaltending is actually pretty impressive, they lack a really trustworthy center, and their offense is just average.

Lastly, I like the Dallas Stars minus 130 over the Calgary Flames. The Stars have fantastic goaltending and a stout defense going up against the Flames. Calgary is just not a very wow team, so I trust Dallas here.

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