The homestretch of the 2021 NHL season has commenced, with approximately 10 games left on most teams’ schedules. This signifies the opportune moment to take action.
In West Virginia, sportsbooks offer numerous opportunities for residents to support their favorite NHL teams. With a range of betting options available, individuals can choose to place bets before or even during the games.
Teams have limited chances to catch up in the standings as the number of remaining games is low. The commencement of the NHL playoffs is scheduled for Tuesday, May 11.
Next week holds a couple of exciting contests in store. NBCSN has scheduled two matchups that could potentially give us a glimpse of what the postseason might look like, taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
The New York Islanders will be heading to Washington on Tuesday to face off against the Caps. Despite the fact that Washington is currently leading the East Division, the Islanders are only one point behind them.
Next, in the Western Conference, the Las Vegas Knights are set to host Colorado in an exciting face-off between two top-ranked teams.
We will analyze the NHL odds in WV and provide a preview of how these two games could unfold.
NHL odds at WV sportsbooks
Capitals vs. Islanders preview
Both the Isles and Caps have high hopes for a successful playoff run this spring. With talented rosters and experienced players, both teams are confident in their ability to go far in the postseason.
Currently, Washington stands at 64 points, closely followed by New York with 63 points. However, there is still substantial work ahead for both teams. Pittsburgh also shares the same score of 63 points, while Boston trails slightly behind at 60 points.
The outcome of this division seems like it will only be determined on the last day of games.
Although the Islanders possess immense talent, their struggles on the road hinder their overall performance. While boasting an impressive record of 19-2-3 at home, their away record stands at a mere 10-11-2. This discrepancy may pose a significant challenge for them as they enter the playoffs.
The Capitals exhibit a remarkable equilibrium between their performances at home and on the road, boasting a greater number of victories away from their home arena this season.
In the six encounters between these teams, the Caps emerged victorious in four instances. Washington secured a narrow 1-0 win in the last game through a shootout, following two consecutive losses.
To everyone’s surprise, the scoring in these games has significantly decreased after an impressive beginning. The previous two matches resulted in 1-0 shutouts, where each team secured a win. Interestingly, Washington’s last victory did not involve any goals scored during regulation play.
The shocking aspect lies in the immense firepower showcased by both teams, resulting in an abundance of goals, with only a single game having less than five.
The upcoming contest’s total set by WV online sportsbooks will be intriguing to witness. Despite the recent low scoring in the last two games, both teams possess an abundance of skilled playmakers.
Mathew Barzal, of the Islanders, is currently leading his team with an impressive total of 38 points. In the matches against the Caps this year, he showcased his skills with four goals and four assists.
With a total of 47 points, Nicklas Backstrom leads Washington in scoring. The 33-year-old player showcased his skill against the Isles, contributing 10 points, which included an impressive nine assists.
For their upcoming game on Saturday, DraftKings Sportsbook WV displays the Islanders at -127 odds and the Capitals at +105 odds. Bettors can anticipate a similar but reversed set of odds when the teams switch venues on Tuesday night.
Knights vs. Avalanche preview
Don’t miss out on the exciting matchup out West on Thursday, which Mountain State residents can also enjoy. If you haven’t had the chance to watch the thrilling Golden Knights or Avs games, now is the perfect time.
Both teams possess a genuine chance of turning their Stanley Cup aspirations into a reality.
According to DraftKings, Colorado is favored to win with odds of +375. Vegas is also a strong contender, listed as the third team on the board with odds of +750.
One of the contributing factors to their success lies in the exceptional leadership displayed by the players. This is evident through the remarkable performances of Colorado’s Nathan Mackinnon and Vegas’ Mark Stone, both of whom currently hold positions in the top 10 for points this season.
They aren’t alone, though.
Mikko Rantanen, Mackinnon’s fellow teammate, closely trails him with 52 points, while Gabriel Landeskog boasts an impressive tally of 43.
In addition to that, Vegas also displays a considerable amount of depth. Their lineup consists of five skaters who have accumulated a minimum of 30 points, with Max Pacioretty ranking second overall with an impressive total of 46 points.
Both franchises possess strong goaltending abilities, as evidenced by their impressive defensive records. Vegas holds the top spot in goals against average, closely followed by the Avalanche in third place. Both teams consistently allow fewer than 2.33 goals per game.
As they progress, both teams are becoming increasingly dominant. Vegas has triumphed in their previous eight matches, while Colorado is currently on a winning streak of five games. Remarkably, both teams boast a remarkable 9-1 record in their last ten encounters.
It is highly likely that this game could be a preview of the conference finals, therefore fans should savor and make the most of this experience.
The season series between the two teams is currently tied at three wins each. They will have one more game against each other after next week.
Expect the Knights to have a slight advantage when playing at home. However, it’s worth noting that the hosts have won 3 out of 6 meetings, while the away team has emerged victorious in the remaining games.