There’s more NHL Playoff action on Wednesday night, and here we preview the best of the action and bring you our latest NHL free betting picks.
The 2022 NHL Playoffs have already reached Game 5 of the 1st Round, and it’s getting close to crunch time for all the teams.
All the teams have now played a few matches in the postseason, and this gives us some form to go on when selecting our picks. The recent action also means we have more up-to-date knowledge when it comes to finding the best value in the odds to win the NHL Stanley Cup in 2022.
At the moment, it’s the Colorado Avalanche that has impressed the most, and as a result, they are now just +250 to win what would be their third-ever Stanley Cup.
As the playoffs have gone on, the odds on the Avalanche have gotten shorter and shorter. Some of the best Las Vegas sportsbooks even have them as short as +189.
The closest rival to Jared Bednar’s team, well, as far as the betting is concerned, is the Florida Panthers – one of the teams we’re focussing on in this article. The Panthers are around the +500 to +600 mark to lift the trophy, depending on which sportsbook you use.
| 2022 Stanley Cup Winner Odds |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | +250 | +220 |
| Florida Panthers | +650 | +460 |
| Calgary Flames | +1000 | +590 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +1000 | +620 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +1200 | +1325 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +1000 | +780 |
| New York Rangers | +1800 | +1300 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +1600 | +1150 |
| Boston Bruins | +1400 | +2200 |
| Minnesota Wild | +1400 | +1200 |
| St. Louis Blues | +2200 | +2300 |
| Pittsburgh Pengiuns | +1800 | +2200 |
| Dallas Stars | +2500 | +3300 |
| Washington Capitals | +3300 | +4000 |
| Los Angeles Kings | +4000 | +6400 |
| Nashville Predators | +25000 | +13000 |
The Panthers’ struggles to see off the Washington Capitals have done little to enhance their reputation. Hence, their odds have slightly stagnated during the early stages of the playoffs.
For the record, the Washington Capitals are +3300 to win the 2022 Stanley Cup.
Of the other teams, we are looking at in this picks article, the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins are both at the +1800 mark with BetUS.
You can read more about this popular Vegas bookie in our BetUS sportsbook review.
After two matches in Pittsburgh, we’re back to New York City, and at 3-1 down in the series, it’s a must-win game for the Rangers.
Game 1 went to overtime with Evgeni Malkin scoring after 5.58 to give the Penguins the win. The game is best remembered for Igor Shesterkin’s 79 saves for the Rangers.
New York then pulled the tie all square in game 2 at MSG with a 5-2 win.
The series then transferred up to Pittsburgh, with the Penguins beating the Rangers 7-4 in a slightly bizarre match. Pittsburgh raced into a 4-1 lead at the end of the first period. By the end of the second period, New York had fought back to make it 4-4, only to see the Penguins score three unanswered goals in the third period.
Game 4 could have been the decisive match though. The Penguins thumped NYR 7-2, and are now in complete control of the series.
With the series now heading back to New York, the Rangers start match 5 as the betting favorites with BetOnline.
Moneyline
Handicap
Over/Under
Will New York be up for the battle, or did Monday night’s defeat knock the wind out of their sails? In front of the NYC crowd, it surely has to be the former.
In the one match, the Rangers won in New York, they won it by 3 goals (5-2). So if we are to go with the Rangers to win, then it makes far more sense to go with them on the handicap and take them at +185, as opposed to -134 on the Moneyline.
The crazy series between the Panthers and the Capitals continues and we’re back in Florida for match 5. The series currently stands at 2-2.
Match 1 in Sunrise saw the Panthers hit with three unanswered goals in the third quarter, giving the Capitals a 4-2 win on the night.
As was expected, the Panthers hit back in spectacular style, taking the Capitals down by 5 goals to 1 in match 2, leveling up the series.
Then in match 3, it was off to Washington for the first of the doubleheader. Not many saw the 6-1 defeat coming for the Panthers, a result that immediately ensured an uneasy night ahead at the Capital One Arena for match 4.
The Panthers did just about come through match 4, needing O|T to win 3-2 on the night, leveling up the series at 2-2.
Has the momentum now totally switched in favor of the Panthers? The sportsbooks seem to think so.
Moneyline
Handicap
Over/Under
Again, I’m seeing little value on the Moneyline, and again I’m looking at the handicap market. The Panthers have already lost once at the BB&T Center, so taking them at -220 makes little sense.
But, the one game the Panthers did win in Florida was a 5-1 landslide. And, as I’m siding with the Panthers to win again, it’s a no-brainer to take Florida to win on the handicap at +110.
