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Amid developing news of the NHL aiming to resume the 2019-20 season in July, odds have been released for potential playoff series should the league jump straight into the postseason.
Let's take a closer look.
Boston Bruins (-350) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (+280)
Before the injury bug swept through Columbus, the Blue Jackets were one of the league's hottest teams. With a healthy Seth Jones and Oliver Bjorkstrand, and the exploits of Elvis Merzlikins between the pipes, Columbus is an incredibly dangerous eighth seed. The Blue Jackets beat the Bruins twice this season, and they'd offer a ton of value at this price.
Tampa Bay Lightning (-240) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (+200)
A fascinating series between two teams with something to prove before we can truly buy-in. It's hard to lay the juice with the Lightning after last season's catastrophic first-round sweep, though they again look like the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. I'd rather take a stab with the Leafs here at this price, even if their playoff resume hardly inspires confidence.
Washington Capitals (-200) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (+175)
This is a rematch of last season's first-round matchup the Hurricanes won in double overtime of Game 7, and expect another fiercely competitive series. The Capitals were reeling before the campaign was suspended, so perhaps they'll benefit from the break. But I can't pass up the Hurricanes at +175 because they'd be getting blue-liners Dougie Hamilton and Brett Pesce back.
Philadelphia Flyers (-110) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (-110)
The battle of Pennsylvania is a coin flip, and it might be the series to watch in Round 1. The Flyers were close to untouchable in the month leading up to the season being suspended, and the hiatus could negatively impact that momentum. The Penguins were trending in the opposite direction, but getting Jake Guentzel back for the postseason might just be the difference. Take the grizzled vets in Pittsburgh by a hair.
St. Louis Blues (-180) vs. Nashville Predators (+160)
The Predators are 4-0 against the Blues this season, but St. Louis is just so much stronger all over the ice. The Blues also hold a significant edge behind the bench, are battle-tested, and they would be getting a healthy and rested Vladimir Tarasenko back from a shoulder injury that's kept him out since August. I'm laying the chalk here.
Colorado Avalanche (-160) vs. Dallas Stars (+140)
Both teams were agonizingly close to the Western Conference Final a year ago, with the Avalanche losing controversially in Game 7 to the San Jose Sharks, and the Blues ousting the Stars in double overtime of Game 7.
Dallas is loaded on the back end, but the Stars would need their big guns up front to step up against an Avs team with very few holes. This series would be a lot closer than the line indicates, but although I don't like the price, I'd still roll with Colorado.
Vegas Golden Knights (-220) vs. Winnipeg Jets (+190)
Goaltending and scoring are both major strengths for the Jets, making them a live 'dog in this spot. While there's certainly a case to be made for Winnipeg, the Knights are just such a complete team, and a chip would be on their shoulder after last season's controversial playoff exit.
Edmonton Oilers (-120) vs. Calgary Flames (+100)
This series would be an absolute treat, and given the bad blood between the Alberta neighbors, the intensity would be unrivaled. That's all we know here though, and the series can essentially be billed as a toss-up. While I'd lean toward the Flames' grit over seven games, that didn't do them much good last season, and their goaltending just doesn't inspire enough confidence to warrant backing.
Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.
