Stanley Cup bets: NHL Eastern Conference first-round betting preview

New York Islanders vs. Carolina Hurricanes

• First game: Saturday, 5 p.m. ET
• Odds to win series: Carolina (-340) | NY Islanders (+280)
• Regular season head-to-head record: Tied 2-2

Betting thoughts on Islanders-Hurricanes

This is a really interesting first-round series. Carolina is currently the Stanley Cup favorite at +650, for good reason. Meanwhile,  the Islanders come in scorching hot, going on a 10-2-1 run in their last 13 games to secure a postseason spot.

I do think New York can steal a game or two, but I think the Hurricanes are well-positioned to find plenty of offense, and I'm excited to back some shots on goal props from the Carolina end. In four meetings this year, Carolina averaged 40.75 shots per game against the Islanders.

The Canes have been incredibly stingy defensively, and no matter who they elect to put in net, they've gotten strong play from all their options.

My early round betting approach: Back Carolina offensive props, as I am expecting 3+ goals and 35+ shots from them at home to begin the series.

Series future to consider: Carolina to win Game One and Series at -135

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins

• First game: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET
• Odds to win series: Boston (-125) | Toronto (+105)
• Regular season head-to-head record: Boston 4-0

Betting thoughts on Maple Leafs-Bruins

Now this one is fun. Based on how Boston wrapped the season, one could argue they hoped to drop down to second in the Atlantic Division to face off against Toronto in the first round.

In a vacuum, one could understand why, as the Bruins have beaten the Leafs in seven straight and all four meetings this season.

Careful what you wish for, says I. Toronto did finally get the monkey off its back last year and escaped the first round, while Boston squandered the best regular season in NHL history by losing to Florida in the first round.

I'm not convinced Boston is a team that makes a run this postseason, and perhaps now that Auston Matthews and Co. simply forget about the whole "get Matthews to 70+ goals" journey, we'll see some better hockey out of them. 

The Leafs are limping in, losers of four straight, but I think the value bet to make here is on Toronto.

My early round betting approach: I could see goals being scored on both ends, I'm intrigued in the over 5.5 for Game One here.

Series future to consider: Toronto to win series (+105).

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers

• First game: Sunday, 12:30 p.m. ET
• Odds to win series: Florida (-170) | Tampa Bay (+145)
• Regular season head-to-head record: Florida 2-1

Betting thoughts on Lightning-Panthers

As a fan of good hockey, you should be excited for this series. Florida is a team I've had a future on to get out of the East for quite some time. They made a run to the Stanley Cup Final last year as an eighth seed and are even better this season.

On the other end, Tampa Bay is obviously no stranger to postseason success, and they're figuring things out at the right time, winning 10 of 12 at one point in March to secure themselves the top wild-card spot.

I'll go out on a limb and say the winner of this series wins the East, how about that?

I'm liking Florida shots to begin this series, and could see this one being high-scoring. The past two meetings saw eight and 11 goals, and both teams have been committing too many penalties of late. Last meeting, they each handed out seven power-play opportunities.

My early round betting approach: Grab the over and back some Florida shot props.

Series future to consider: Series to go 6 games (+205) and 7 games (+205).

Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers

• First game: Sunday, 3 p.m. ET
• Odds to win series: NY Rangers (-450) | Washington (+340)
• Regular season head-to-head record: Tied 2-2

Betting thoughts on Capitals-Rangers

I certainly was hoping for any team but Washington to make it, as I just don't love the betting opportunities they provide us. 

With that being said, New York should win here as the -450 series price suggests, but I could see it being low-scoring.

The X-factor is Washington's Charlie Lindgren, who has had some big games lately in net for the Caps. Lindgren has allowed just seven goals over his past five starts, and in three games against the Rangers this year, he let in just four goals.

With Igor Shesterkin on the other end, this series could quickly become about the goalies. That doesn't excite me for too many goal or point props, but it does suggest to me the under is a bet worth consideration.

All four meetings this season saw less than six goals.

My early round betting approach: Likely bet the under, and look to some Rangers shot props or Lindgren saves props.

Series future to consider: Rangers to win 4-1 (+250)

Stay tuned for tomorrow when we break down the Western Conference.