NHL Round 2 Predictions & Best Bet For Each Series

After perhaps maybe the greatest first-round in NHL history, there are only eight teams left in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. With each matchup carrying its own storylines, rivalries and star power, the second round could be just as good. Here are my predictions and best bets for each series.

Eastern Conference

Metropolitan Division: (1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes

Both the Capitals and Hurricanes won their first-round series in five games, and both teams should be fairly rested going into the second round. That said, in the Carolina series, aside from game one, I was not that impressed with what I saw from them against the Devils. Two games in that series went to overtime, which should be concerning considering the Devils didn't have some of their top players in the lineup.

Meanwhile, the Capitals imposed their will against the Montreal Canadiens, showing off their physicality, depth scoring, and steady goaltending, with Logan Thompson avoiding serious injury after a scare in game three.

To me, the wrong team is favored in this series. The Capitals have been the best team in the Eastern Conference all season long, and I think they move on onto the Eastern Conference Finals.

Prediction: Capitals Win Series In 7 Games

Best Bet: Capitals Win Series (+145)

Atlantic Division: (1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Florida Panthers

These teams met two years ago in the playoffs, where, after an emotional first-round series win for the Maple Leafs, the Panthers gave them a reality check by taking them out in five games. I think we see a similar scenario take place this year.

The Panthers are simply built for this team of the year, and based on how much Toronto struggled to close out the Senators in round one, there is no reason in my opinion to think why they would be able to take down the defending champions. Toronto gets one, but the Panthers close this out fairly quickly.

Prediction: Panthers Win Series In 5 Games

Best Bet: Panthers Series Spread -1.5 (-115)

Western Conference

Central Division: (1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (2) Dallas Stars

Both the Jets and Stars escaped round one with epic comebacks in game seven of their respective series, showing how much of a tough out each team will be. While the Jets were the president's trophy winners this season, as of right now there are so many questions about their team. Connor Hellebuyck fought a ton of demons in the first round against St. Louis, and in the meantime, Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrissey's status is up in the air due to the injuries they suffered.

On the flip side, the Stars somehow won their first-round series against the Avalanche without two of their top players in Miro Heiskanen and Jason Robertson. After game seven, Pete DeBoer said he expects both players to return in the second round, and assuming that's the case, I think Dallas moves on to the Conference Finals.

Prediction: Stars Win Series In 5 Games

Best Bet: Stars Series Spread -1.5 (+105)

Pacific Division: (1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

This is the series I am most excited for. After looking all but done losing the first two, the Oilers were able to rattle off four straight wins against the Los Angeles Kings for the fourth consecutive year. Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights probably did have a tougher time than they expected against the Minnesota Wild, but after falling down 2-1 themselves, they were able to win three straight to move on.

The Oilers and Golden Knights did meet two years ago, where Vegas escaped winning the series in six games en route to their Stanley Cup victory.

I think Vegas still has the better overall team and structure, but I think something just clicked for the Oilers after winning game three against the Kings. Aside from Connor McDavid and Leon Drasaitl, Edmonton is starting to get depth scoring from all four lines, and I especially love the Evander Kane, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Zach Hyman line. It’s going to be physical, fast, and likely full of drama, but something is just telling me to take the Oilers.

Edmonton wins an all-time series.

Prediction: Oilers Win Series In 7 Games

Best Bet: Oilers Win Series From Behind (+250) or Vegas Wins Game 1, Edmonton Win Series (+325)