The Pittsburgh Penguins had a comfortable lead of 3-1 in their series against the New York Rangers, but unfortunately, their fortune took a turn for the worse.
In the following three matches, Pittsburgh suffered defeat, conceding a total of 14 goals.
The NHL playoffs can swiftly change the course of events, as evidenced by the conclusion of a successful regular season with over 100 points.
Despite New York knocking out the Pens, hockey enthusiasts in the Mountain State can still anticipate a great deal. Presently, there are four exceptional series taking place, and West Virginia sportsbooks offer a plethora of betting opportunities.
In addition to the team and player futures available, every series comprises a diverse range of props.
NHL playoffs odds at WV sportsbooks
Eastern Conference
The match-up is between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers.
The Rangers progressed to face Carolina in the playoffs. The Hurricanes, who finished first in the Metro Division this season with an impressive 116 points, were given a tough challenge by the Rangers in the opening game. The Rangers managed to keep the Hurricanes at bay on their home ice until the last moments of Game 1.
Sebastian Aho from Carolina scored a late goal in the third period to push the game into overtime. It didn’t take long for Ian Cole to seal the victory with a goal just three minutes into the extra session, granting the Hurricanes a 1-0 advantage in the series.
After securing a victory, DraftKings WV Sportsbook upgrades Carolina as an even stronger contender for the upcoming match. Their odds to win the series stand at -360, while the Rangers trail at +280.
While books may depict the Hurricanes as the clear favorites, it is important to recognize that the Rangers have the potential to emerge victorious in this series. They have been performing commendably and possess the ability to turn the tables in their favor by securing a single win on the road.
The matchup is between the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Eastern Conference’s other series is quite captivating. Surprisingly, the odds at WV sportsbooks for this series are the same as the Rangers-Hurricanes matchup, even though there has been an additional game played.
Once more, the Tampa Bay team defeated the Panthers on Thursday night with an unbelievable last-minute shot, securing a significant 2-0 lead in the series. The reigning Stanley Cup champions, who have successfully defended their title twice, appear to be a serious contender for a repeat victory.
After trailing 3-2 in the first round against Toronto, the Lightning managed to secure victory in five out of their last six games.
Due to their remarkable regular season performance, Florida Panthers have earned greater respect in the books. This year, they clinched the Presidents’ Trophy with an outstanding 122 points.
There is some hope that DraftKings can reverse their situation, as indicated by their odds of +280 for a comeback. In contrast, Tampa’s odds now stand at -360.
Western Conference
The Calgary Flames are going head-to-head with the Edmonton Oilers.
In one of the most thrilling playoff games of all time, the Flames and Oilers recently engaged in an electrifying matchup. After an astonishing 9-6 battle, Calgary emerged victorious.
After a grueling seven-game series, both teams advanced to the conference semifinals. Edmonton emerged victorious over Los Angeles, while Calgary triumphed over Dallas.
Despite trailing in the series, the Oilers’ lack of effort cannot be blamed. Initially falling behind 6-2 in the opening game, they showed remarkable resilience and managed to level the score early in the third period.
Although Edmonton’s efforts may not result in any points, the team remains highly confident in its ability to consistently score throughout this series.
Currently, BetMGM Sportsbook WV offers Calgary a -350 chance of winning three additional games and advancing to the conference finals. Alternatively, bettors can choose the Oilers with odds of +275 to win this series.
The matchup is between the Colorado Avalanche and the St. Louis Blues.
After playing two games in Denver, Colorado and St. Louis have each won one game, resulting in a split in their matchup.
The Avs fell slightly behind Florida in the competition for the highest number of points this year. Throughout the season, they have consistently been the favored team to clinch the title according to most sportsbooks.
Despite the series moving to St. Louis, Colorado still holds a significant advantage according to BetMGM. The Avalanche are listed at -300, while the Blues are given odds of +250.
Despite being considered the underdog, St. Louis seems fully capable of handling the challenge. They emerged victorious with a 4-1 win in Game 2, following a close 3-2 loss in overtime. The advantage of playing on home ice should undoubtedly favor the Blues in the upcoming games as well.
Penguins can’t close out the Rangers
After witnessing their goaltending problems worsen in Game 1, Pittsburgh fans anticipated a challenging series against New York. The Penguins were faced with the loss of their backup goalie, Casey DeSmith, and had to rely on Louis Domingue instead.
Tristan Jarry, the starting player, was already unavailable.
Despite facing some challenges, Domingue managed to lead his team to a 3-1 series advantage. His performance in Game 4 was commendable as he successfully stopped 22 out of 24 shot attempts, contributing to the team’s victory.
In the following two games, he conceded four additional goals each, prompting him to reinstate Jarry for Game 7, which seemed like a straightforward decision. Regrettably, the Penguins were unable to maintain their 3-2 advantage going into the last period and ultimately suffered a defeat in overtime.
Winning the Stanley Cup is an incredibly challenging feat, and this series has shed some light on the difficulties involved.
With the offseason arriving in Pittsburgh, all eyes are now focused on the potential free agents within the roster. Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, two key figures in the recent success of the franchise, are both due for new contracts this summer.
The front office’s approach to this group of players, as they gear up for another shot at the cup, will undoubtedly be intriguing.
Related Articles
