The thought of restarting the NHL season might have seemed impossible when the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world, but hockey is coming back and even stronger.
The new NHL playoff format will be a smashing hit; the league will be bringing 24 clubs to battle for the Stanley Cup. From those 24 clubs, the top four teams in the Eastern and Western Conference are guaranteed playoff spots, while the other 16 teams seeded from 5-12 in the East and West will square off in a best-of-seven series at a neutral site. With a lot of action happening rather quickly, let’s dive into the key trends for each series before placing any future bets.
Pittsburgh Penguins (5) vs. Montreal Canadiens (12)
- Pittsburgh has won two of the three meetings with Montreal in 2020
- In those three same games, the Under has cashed each time.
Key Trends: Penguins ML and Under
Carolina Hurricanes (6) vs. New York Rangers (11)
- New York has won four straight times against the Carolina Hurricanes. Three of those games coming in 2020.
- Out of the last five games, the Under has cashed in four of them.
Key Trends: Rangers ML and Under
Toronto Maple Leafs (8) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (9)
- These teams would split their two-game series with each winning on the road
- Over the past six games, the Over has cashed four times with an average combined goal of 6.5 per game.
Key Trends: Over and both teams to score 2+ times
New York Islanders (7) vs. Florida Panthers (10)
- New York swept the Florida Panthers in 2020 with winning all three of the meetings.
- New York currently has a 5-1 record in the past six against the Panthers.
- In the last eight games, the Under has cashed seven times.
Key Trends: Islanders ML and Under
Jan 7, 2020; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) celebrates his game winning goal during overtime at Prudential Center. The New York Islanders defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Edmonton Oilers (5) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (12)
- Chicago owns the 2020 series 2-1 over Edmonton.
- In the past four games, the Over has cashed three of those times.
Key Trends: Blackhawks ML and Over
Nashville Predators (6) vs. Arizona Coyotes (11)
- The Predators and Coyotes both received victories over each other in 2020.
- In the past 13 games, the Under has cashed 11 times.
- During the past 16 games, the Under 1st period has cashed in 10 of them.
Key Trends: Under 1st period and Under Game Total
Vancouver Canucks (7) vs. Minnesota Wild (10)
- Minnesota defeated the Cancucks in two out of the three games in 2o20.
- Out of the past nine games, the Over has cashed in five of them.
Key Trends: Minnesota ML and Over
Calgary Flames (8) vs. Winnipeg Jets (9)
- Winnipeg won the only matchup against the Flames in 2020
- The total has gone Under in the past six of the last eight games.
- During the past ten games, the Under 1st period has cashed in 6 of them.
Key Trends: Under 1st period and Under Game Total
Make sure you return to Pickswise before the start of the NHL playoff series for even more expert analysis and predictions! Bookmark our free NHL picks, which will be ready to roll once the playoff series starts.
