Stars surge after 5 unanswered in Game 1 as Oilers seek redemption in Game 2

The Edmonton Oilers appeared to be in full control with a 3-1 lead heading into the third period of Game 1, but the Dallas Stars unleashed a furious comeback, scoring five unanswered goals to stun the Oilers 6-3 and grab the 1-0 series lead. 

Dallas capitalized on Edmonton's lack of discipline, converting three power plays in the final frame to turn the tide. What seemed like a sure Oilers victory unraveled into a collapse they'll be eager to rebound from in Game 2, while the Stars aim to build on their momentum and seize a commanding 2-0 series lead.

All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.

More NHL:Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Next Team Betting Odds Revealed

Dallas Stars vs Edmonton Oilers Game 2 Best Bets:

• Zach Hyman anytime goal (+240)
• Zach Hyman Over 0.5 points (+102)
• Wyatt Johnston Over 0.5 points (-120)
• Over 6.5 goals (-102)

Entering this series, the Oilers held a significant advantage in depth scoring from their forwards, boasting 19 goals from their bottom six compared to just six from the Stars’ group. Dallas, however, completely flipped the script with three goals from bottom-six forwards and two from defensemen, while Edmonton had to rely heavily on its star players to stay competitive.

More NHL: Conference Finals Betting Round-Up: Unlikely Heroes Emerging as Value Plays After Game 1

Depth may be fading for the Oilers, as winger Connor Brown appears to be wearing down, and the Stars are beginning to capitalize, highlighted by a Tyler Seguin goal that resulted from reading and exploiting an Edmonton play in the offensive zone. A stronger performance is needed from Zach Hyman, who is logging the fourth-most minutes among Edmonton forwards but has managed points in only one of the last four games and hasn't scored in five straight.

The former Panthers draft pick has developed into a lethal goal scorer on Connor McDavid’s wing, but the production has notably dried up of late. He is long overdue for a goal and should get one in a big spot for the Oilers. The Stars will need to respond with some scoring from a star player of their own in Wyatt Johnston. 

The Toronto native plays the second-most forward minutes and started the playoffs hot with eight points through ten playoffs games but has since failed to make the scoresheet in four straight. With five goals and two assists for seven points over his last nine games versus the Oilers, Johnston should find a way to bounce back and get back on the board.

More NHL: Stars Insider Gives Best Bets For Western Conference Finals versus Edmonton Oilers

More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals

More NHL: Veterans First: NHL Insiders Pick Players Who Deserve Cup First From Each Contender

Betting odds for which team Mitch Marner will join next season.

As the NHL offseason heats up, one of the biggest storylines centers around Mitch Marner, the dynamic playmaker of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Coming off an impressive 102-point regular season and a solid playoff performance with 13 points in as many games, Marner finds himself at a crossroads. 

The 27-year-old winger is heading into unrestricted free agency this summer, and speculation is running wild about where he might land.

While the Leafs haven’t ruled out a last-minute extension, the writing on the wall suggests Marner may be preparing to don a new jersey for the first time in his NHL career. 

More NHL: Conference Finals Betting Round-Up: Unlikely Heroes Emerging as Value Plays After Game 1

In response to the growing buzz, Covers.com compiled a list of potential suitors and their odds to sign the Toronto native. Notably, NHL insider Lyle Richardson made waves by predicting the newly relocated Utah Mammoth as a sleeper favorite.

Marner Sweepstakes Odds (via Covers.com):

1. Chicago Blackhawks – +300

2. Philadelphia Flyers – +400

3. Pittsburgh Penguins – +500

4. Utah Mammoth – +600

5. Carolina Hurricanes – +800

6. Detroit Red Wings – +1000

7. New York Rangers – +1000

8. Anaheim Ducks – +1400

9. Minnesota Wild – +1800

10. Nashville Predators – +2000

11. Montreal Canadiens – +2000

12. Colorado Avalanche – +2200

13. Dallas Stars – +2500

Chicago Blackhawks (+300)

The Blackhawks lead the pack, and it’s easy to see why. With Connor Bedard blossoming into a superstar, adding Marner would instantly give Chicago one of the NHL’s most dangerous top lines. With cap space to burn and a market craving relevance again, Chicago could be a compelling fit.

Philadelphia Flyers (+400)

The Flyers are a team on the rise under Rick Tocchet's gritty rebuild. Marner’s elite passing and transitional play could supercharge Philadelphia’s offence and serve as a veteran pillar in a younger core. 

Pittsburgh Penguins (+500)

With Sidney Crosby nearing the end of his legendary career, former Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas might seek a reunion with one of the best Toronto players of the last decade. The Penguins need as much talent as they can get following a 34-36-12 record and Marner could provide a boost good enough to make Pittsburgh a playoff team once again. 

Utah Mammoth (+600)

The NHL’s newest franchise is eager to make a splash. According to Lyle Richardson, Utah could offer Marner the opportunity to become the face of a new era. 

They have money, hype, and the appeal of a fresh start with the newest team in the league. The distance for Marner's family may be tough to overcome but with how eager the ownership group is to win now, we wouldn't rule them out.

More NHL: Hurricanes Insider Gives Best Bets For Eastern Conference Finals versus Florida Panthers

Carolina Hurricanes (+800)

Currently playing in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Hurricanes are always in the mix for big names. Adding Marner could be the missing offensive piece they need to get over the playoff hump that has seen them lose 13 straight Conference Finals games. 

Detroit Red Wings (+1000)

Steve Yzerman has slowly crafted a competitive roster, and Marner could be the catalyst to push Detroit into playoff certainty. A young, hungry team that is just one piece away from being a contender.  With a smart, respected front office, the Red Wings will certainly be invovled in the Marner sweepstakes.

New York Rangers (+1000)

The Rangers already boast elite talent, but the idea of Marner feeding Artemi Panarin or Chris Kreider is tantalizing. However, Cap constraints and another big market to play in may steer Marner away from the Big Apple. 

Anaheim Ducks (+1400)

The Ducks have stockpiled youth and are looking for a veteran leader to elevate the team. Ducks GM Pat Verbeek has been vocal about his desire to make the playoffs next season and the signing of Marner could form a dangerous duo with Trevor Zegras or Leo Carlsson while living in a sunny, low-pressure market, where he can thrive.

More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals

Minnesota Wild (+1800)

Always competitive but rarely flashy, the Wild will be busy trying to re-sign another superstar winger in Kirill Kaprizov. The Marner fit is a bit less obvious, but if Bill Guerin wants to shake things up, this move would certainly qualify.

Nashville Predators (+2000)

Nashville was the most highly appreciated team heading into this season but fell short of expectations with a 30-44-8 record. Marner’s skill would add flair to their grit-heavy identity. 

The Nashville area is also starting to gain lots of popularity as it's labeled a newer, less cost-effective Las Vegas and is located in Tennessee, where there is no state income tax. It has quickly become one of the hottest destinations in all of sports. 

Montreal Canadiens (+2000)

A Marner move to the Leafs’ biggest rival would send shockwaves through the NHL. Montreal has young talent, a patient rebuild strategy that still has lots of cap space to continue building and a chance to bring in a hometown villain-turned-hero.

Colorado Avalanche (+2200)

Already Cup contenders, the Avs don’t necessarily need Marner, but the addition of the superstar winger after trading away Mikko Rantanen could make Colorado contenders again. Cap gymnastics would be needed, but the fit on-ice with Nathan MacKinnon would be must-see tv.

More NHL: Veterans First: NHL Insiders Pick Players Who Deserve Cup First From Each Contender

Hurricanes play Panthers in must-win game two at home during Eastern Conference Finals

For the second time in three seasons, the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers are battling in the Eastern Conference Final with a trip to the Stanley Cup Final on the line. But after a stunning 5-2 loss on home ice in Game 1, the Hurricanes are already feeling the pressure.

Florida, making its third straight appearance in the conference finals, came into the series with momentum after a commanding 6-1 win over the Maple Leafs in Game 7 of the previous round. That confidence carried over into Game 1, where the Panthers took control early and never looked back reminding Carolina that they've dropped x straight conference finals games.

The Hurricanes, though, aren’t the same team Florida dismantled in 2023. Carolina stormed past the top-seeded Washington Capitals in five games in the second round, displaying a deeper, more dynamic lineup and an offense firing on all cylinders. But now, they’ll need a response and fast. Game 2 in Raleigh is shaping up as a must-win for Carolina, who can’t afford to head to Sunrise down 0-2. 

More NHL: Conference Finals Betting Round-Up: Unlikely Heroes Emerging as Value Plays After Game 1

All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.

Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes Best Bets:

• Over 5.5 goals (+102)
• Hurricanes ML (-128)
• Anton Lundell Over 0.5 points (+135)
• Logan Stankoven Over 0.5 points (+162)

The sportsbooks are expecting a more fierce effort out of Carolina's backend with the Panthers listed with over/under 2.5 goals in this one. The public doesn't agree however, as they are lining up 87 per cent of bets on the over at 5.5 total goals. Hurricanes netminder Fredrick Andersen has been hard to beat in these playoffs with a league-best 1.74 goals against average and .919 save percentage but could Florida light him up for five goals again?

More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals

Andersen has solid career numbers against the Cats with a 12-4-3 record with a 2.72 goals against average and a .911 save percentage but when playing in the postseason it's a completely different story. The Swedish netminder has 0-4-0 record and 13 goals allowed in four playoff starts versus Florida with Tuesday's performance adding to an already troubling record. 

The Panthers should take advantage and push the Hurricanes to the limit once again. Florida has scored first in nine of their 13 playoff games and have a 7-2 record. Carolina will need to be in this game early which they've struggled in as they've scored first in just five of their 11 playoff games so far and have just six first period goals compared to Florida's league-best 13 goals. 

Carolina will be desperate to even up the series before heading on the road and I expect them to do so but it won't be easy and they will need to get some offence. They are looking to get some production out of Logan Stankoven. The 22-year-old winger was the key returning piece of the Mikko Rantanen trade for Carolina and have been waiting for him to explode in a big way. 

After recording scoring two goals in game one of the opening round, he has just a goal and two assists over ten games and needs to have a big game as he still plays meaningful minutes. With a second line placement with Jack Roslovic and Taylor Hall plus a spot on the second power play unit, he should continue to see his 15 minutes on average and help lift his team in a big spot where they really need him. 

In return, Florida scored five goals with little help from their highest scoring line in Brad Marchand, Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell. Luostarinen managed to get on the board with a goal, marking four points over his last two games. He has been receiving a lot of help from Marchand, who is second on the team in points with 12 in 13 games. 

The two should help their centre finally get things going as Lundell has points in just two of the last six games. Before that, the Finnish forward was red hot with three goals and five assists for eight points over a four-game stretch.

More NHL: Hurricanes Insider Gives Best Bets For Eastern Conference Finals versus Florida Panthers

Game 1 of the Conference Finals reveal decent value bets moving forward on players like Eetu Luostarinen, Matt Duchene

With Game 1s of both the Eastern and Western Conference Finals in the books, bettors have a lot to think about as some under-the-radar names stole the spotlight. While the Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars took commanding series leads, it was the contributions from depth forwards that shifted the betting landscape.

More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals

Eastern Conference: Florida Panthers 5, Carolina Hurricanes 2

The Panthers exploded for five goals against the Hurricanes on Tuesday night, but it wasn’t just the usual suspects lighting the lamp. Forwards A.J. Greer and Eetu Luostarinen both tallied goals, continuing a trend of unexpected but impactful production.

Luostarinen, in particular, has been a quietly dominant force. Now leading the team in playoff points with 13 (four goals, nine assists) through 13 games, he’s thriving alongside linemates Brad Marchand and Anton Lundell.

More NHL: Hurricanes Insider Gives Best Bets For Eastern Conference Finals versus Florida Panthers

Marchand himself has 12 points, making that line arguably Florida’s most productive — and yet Luostarinen is still often listed at solid value on betting boards to register a point or score. With his current pace, he's worth keeping a close eye on for bettors looking to cash in on overlooked options.

Greer, while not putting up the same numbers, has found ways to contribute in timely moments. His Game 1 goal marked just his second of the playoffs, but with increased confidence and opportunity, he could continue to surprise.

Western Conference: Dallas Stars 6, Edmonton Oilers 3

The Stars rallied in dramatic fashion with five unanswered goals in the third period to knock off the Oilers in a statement win. But the story here wasn’t just the comeback — it was the long-awaited arrival of Dallas’s secondary scoring.

Tyler Seguin turned back the clock with two goals and an assist, while Matt Duchene, who had an 82-point regular season, finally broke through with his first goal of the playoffs.

More NHL: Stars Insider Gives Best Bets For Western Conference Finals versus Edmonton Oilers

For a team that’s relied heavily on its top two lines, this depth scoring couldn’t have come at a better time and for bettors, it presents new angles to consider.

Seguin and Duchene are regularly priced lower than top-tier point producers, but if Game 1 is any indication, they could be heating up at just the right time. Duchene especially, given his season-long form, could be a strong value pick to get on the scoresheet in upcoming games.

Betting Takeaways:

• Eetu Luostarinen leads the Panthers in playoff scoring and remains undervalued in many betting markets.
• A.J. Greer is finding timely production and could be a sneaky anytime goal scorer pick.
• Tyler Seguin is looking like a playoff version of his old self and may continue to provide strong value.
• Matt Duchene’s breakout performance could mark the start of a scoring run worth riding.

As the Conference Finals continue, these depth performers could offer the best value for bettors looking beyond the big-name stars.

More NHL: Veterans First: NHL Insiders Pick Players Who Deserve Cup First From Each Contender

Dallas Stars host Edmonton Oilers Wednesday for Game 1 of Western Conference Finals rematch

For the second consecutive season, the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers are set to face off in the Western Conference Final with a trip to the Stanley Cup Final on the line.

The Stars, making their third straight appearance in the conference finals, punched their ticket by eliminating the Winnipeg Jets in six games, capped off by a dramatic overtime win in Game 6 by Thomas Harley.

With a deep, veteran-laden lineup and a strong defensive structure, Dallas is aiming to finally break through after falling short in their previous two trips. They'll also carry the psychological edge of having ousted Edmonton at this same stage last season.

More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals

But the Oilers arrive with momentum and a score to settle after losing in game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals last season. Edmonton shocked the always-feisty Vegas Golden Knights in the second round, dispatching them in just five games with a tense 1-0 overtime win in Game 5, proving the Oilers can win tight, defensive battles. 

Still, goaltending remains a question mark, with inconsistency from netminder Stuart Skinner creeping in at times this postseason. Whether that vulnerability will be exposed or masked against a Stars team that has struggled to find consistent depth scoring could define the series. 

All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.

More NHL:Stars Insider Gives Best Bets For Western Conference Finals versus Edmonton Oilers

Dallas Stars vs Edmonton Oilers Best Bets:

• Over 5.5 goals (-156)
• Wyatt Johnston Over 0.5 points (-132)
• Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Over 0.5 points (-111)

When these two faced off last postseason, it was a bit of a slugfest with five goals in the first game (with no goals scored in the first period) followed by three of the next five games totalling under five goals.

The goaltenders really showed up and I expect this to completely flip as the Oilers will be looking to stay on the offensive and keep the Stars away from Stuart Skinner or at least limit quality chances like they did versus the Golden Knights in the second round. 

I would expect the kind of game where we see a high number of goals, typical for a series-opening game as both sides will be trying to feel each other out, but not a lot of shot attempts.

The lines for most of these playoff games have been lowered to 5.5 most of the time and the unders have been hitting towards the end of rounds as teams start to solve the other but this is an early game and the sportsbooks have it set at a high 6.5 and for good reason. 

When on the fence, its safe to go with what the oddsmakers are telling you and that's this one will be a high-scoring affair that's why they have such a high odd for the under cause they want to trap people into believing a defensive showdown is coming.

This bet would work even better if you wait a few minutes into the game before taking as the odds may drop without an early goal plus some sportsbooks like FanDuel occasionally provide bet boosts for bets taken live during the game. 

More NHL: Veterans First: NHL Insiders Pick Players Who Deserve Cup First From Each Contender

I expect a big game from Wyatt Johnston, who Stars insider Taylor Newby recently referenced in one of our recent stories as being due for a big series.

Mmmm

The 22-year-old youngster has points in just one of the last five games and should bounce back in a big way against an Oilers team he has a great history against. With five goals and two assists for seven points over his last eight games versus the Oilers, Johnston should continue to mash. 

For the Oilers, we have seen a lot of scoring from their depth forwards with 19 goals from their bottom six so far this postseason. I expect the top end forwards to show what they are made of in this one and have a sizeable performance, starting with Connor McDavid's winger Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

The former first overall pick in 2011 has played exceptionally well alongside one of the league's best players in McDavid with points in seven of the Oilers' 11 playoff games so far.

Nugent-Hopkins proved to be a gamer against the Stars with two goals in game five of the conference finals last postseason and put his team firmly in the driver seat of the series with a 3-2 lead.

He should play a pivotal role once again and comes in at a great value as he plays the third-most minutes of any Oilers forward as he centres the first power play unit.

More NHL: Hurricanes Insider Gives Best Bets For Eastern Conference Finals versus Florida Panthers

Stars Insider provides insights on Dallas's lineup heading into Western Conference Finals

As the Dallas Stars prepare for a rematch with the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Finals, we spoke with team insider Taylor Newby for her take on the series and potential betting angles.

Dallas is making its third straight trip to the Conference Finals, looking to shake off back-to-back losses to Edmonton last year and Vegas the year before. With redemption on the line, Taylor gave us her thoughts on what to expect this time around.

All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.

More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals

Mikko Rantanen - Series Leading Goal Scorer (+420)

It's hard to pick anyone other than the current playoff leader in goals right now with Mikko Rantanen. The Finnish superstar has shined since joining the Stars and has exploded over the past few games with nine goals and ten assists for 19 points through 11 playoff games before being held off the board over the final two games versus Winnipeg. 

"The obvious answer to me is Mikko Rantanen although it felt like he cooled off as the series went on but it did seem like Winnipeg was all over him," "I also think it could be the other Finns on that line, Roope Hintz & Mikael Granlund, that whole line seems to be unstoppable and is stepping up in each other's absence."

- Newby on Rantanen and Stars' top line

Edmonton fans will believe their 52-goal scorer in Leon Draisaitl will be the man but there's a fairly wide gap in goaltending. Rantanen has 27 points, including 13 goals in last 25 games versus Oilers and will continue his success against Stuart Skinner, who has a .898 save percentage over 28 starts in the last two postseasons. His 2.55 goals against average during this span seems to be more indicative of overall team play rather than Skinner himself. 

More NHL: Hurricanes Insider Gives Best Bets For Eastern Conference Finals versus Florida Panthers

Evgenii Dadonov 1+ Series Goals (-170)

The Oilers have gotten way more out of their current bottom six forwards with 19 goals compared to just six from Dallas's bottom six. If the Stars want to win this series they will need this group to start producing with Evgenii Dadonov being one of the prime suspects for a bounce back according to Newby. 

"After game six, It seemed like he had multiple high-danger chances while somehow having no shots on goal." 

- Newby said on Dadonov

Dadonov has been very serviceable for Dallas in the past with 21 points over 48 playoff games as a member of the Stars. His line with captain Jamie Benn and centre Oskar Back, who hasn't scored once yet, will need to get going and I believe it'll result in at least one goal for Dadonov. 

Wyatt Johnston 2+ Series Goals (-140)

This pick I agree with as Newby believes Johnston has been "Snake-bitten" when it comes to finding the back of the net this postseason with four goals through 13 playoff games. The 22-year-old star forward has gone without a point in four of the last five games and is due for a breakout versus a team he excels against in the Oilers. 

"We all know Mr. Game 7 is not scared of the big moments so it just seems like the pucks will not fall in," "I think both Wyatt and [Matt] Duchene have been doing the right things but pucks have not been going in for them.  Hopefully both of them finally get one so they can start rolling and get some confidence back in their game."

- Newby on Wyatt Johnston and Matt Duchene both being due for goals

More NHL: Veterans First: NHL Insiders Pick Players Who Deserve Cup First From Each Contender

Duchene has some tough betting lines to get in on at the price tag plus he age may be starting to show at 34 years old but I do expect Johnston to certainly get a pair of goals if not more after recording five goals and two assists for seven points over his last eight games versus the Oilers.

In their series last postseason, he scored goals in three of the six games versus Edmonton and should be able to produce again especially as he's due with one goal in his last six games heading in.  

Taylor Newby's Series Prediction: Stars in 7 (+420)

Hurricanes Insider provides insights on Carolina's lineup heading into Eastern Conference Finals

Two years after being swept by the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final, the Carolina Hurricanes are back and hungry for payback.

That 2023 loss still stings, but this year’s Hurricanes team is deeper, healthier, and more experienced than ever before. With key veterans and emerging stars stepping up, the Canes believe they’re built to finish what they couldn’t last time.

We spoke with a team insider Ryan Henkel for perspective on what’s changed since that playoff heartbreak and who might be poised for a breakout. From potential difference-makers to smart betting picks, here’s what and who to watch as Carolina prepares for a high-stakes rematch.

All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.

More NHL:Expect Elite Defence Shining Through in Narrow Game 1 Victory for Hurricanes Over Panthers

Andrei Svechnikov - Series Leading Goal Scorer (+800)

We asked Henkel who he believes will lead the series in goals and it was no surprise he picked the Hurricane that is just one goal behind Dallas's Mikko Rantanen for most goals in the playoffs with nine. 

"I'd have to stick with Andrei Svechnikov to continue leading the way," "He has eight goals now this postseason and has also hit the crossbar twice and the post three times, he's feeling it right now."

- Henkel on Svechnikov to lead series in scoring

The matchup works as Svechnikov has 17 points over his last 25 games versus Florida, including two goals in their last seven matchups. The 25-year-old Russian winger has also found success scoring in the postseason for some time now with eight goals over his last ten playoff games. 

More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals

Jordan Martinook 1+ Series Goals (-140)

The Hurricanes offence has been stellar but still some players haven't produced and it's possibly flown under the radar. Henkel gave us the line of captain Jordan Staal, Jordan Martinook and William Carrier as players he expects to finally get things going and have a bigger role in the Conference Finals. 

"Their line has been possession dominant and they generate a ton of chances, eventually those have to start going in."

- Henkel on Hurricanes third line

The Canes third line has played together as a unit in all ten of their playoff games so far this postseason with just one goal to show for it.

Carrier isn't the biggest goal scorer but we can look to Martinook or Staal to get one in this spot. Martinook should be due as he's gone eight straight games without goal while Staal scored in Carolina's Game 5 win over Washington. 

More NHL: Veterans First: NHL Insiders Pick Players Who Deserve Cup First From Each Contender

Sebastian Aho 2+ Series Goals (-195), 3+ Series Goals (+160)

Carolina's most notable forward has been continued making his impact felt with x points this postseason but just three goals. Aho couldn't find the back of the net during their series versus Washington and is long overdue for a couple goals, according to Henkel. 

"I would say Aho is due for a big breakout," "He's getting points, but he only has three goals this postseason and none against Washington, His line has been good and I think he can find a couple this series."

- Henkel on Sebastian Aho

The Finnish forward has eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points over his last 24 games versus Florida and should be able to burst through for at least a pair of goals. He's gone five straight games without a goal and should get one early in the series. 

Ryan Henkel's series prediction: Hurricanes in 7 (+430)

Panthers and Hurricanes rekindle their 2023 rivalry in a high-stakes Game 1 showdown of Eastern Conference Finals Tuesday

For the second time in three seasons, the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers are set to clash in the Eastern Conference Final with a trip to the Stanley Cup Final on the line. 

The Panthers, making their third consecutive appearance in the conference finals, enter the series riding the momentum of a dominant 6-1 Game 7 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Florida’s battle-tested lineup is looking to return to the Stanley Cup Final for the third year in a row, and they’ll have history on their side after sweeping the Hurricanes in their last playoff meeting in the 2023 Conference Finals. 

More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals

But this year’s Hurricanes team appears more battle-hardened and dangerous than the one that fell short two seasons ago. Carolina made a statement in the second round by eliminating the top-seeded Washington Capitals in just five games, showcasing both their newfound depth and scoring touch. 

This series promises high intensity, fast-paced action, and no shortage of bad blood between two teams that know each other all too well and it all kicks off Tuesday night. 

For bettors, this matchup provides a chance to capitalize on some of our recent strong trends, like our 9-5 record on our last 14 picks, including perfect records during Game 1 and 4 of the Maple Leafs-Senators series. 

All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.

Florida Panthers vs Carolina Hurricanes Best Bets:

• Under 5.5 goals (-134)
• Panthers Under 2.5 goals (-104)
• Hurricanes ML (-125)
• Matthew Tkachuk Under 0.5 points (+134) 

The player most people remember from the Panthers last postseason meeting with Carolina is Matthew Tkachuk, who scored two game-winning goals. The Arizona native has been notably playing through an injury that has limited his offence to three goals and six assists, four of which were secondary, totalling nine points through 12 games. 

Tkachuk rides a nine-game goal drought and recorded no points in his final two games versus Toronto. People are expecting a bounce back here but I don't see it happening against a battle-tested Canes defence that limited the Capitals to two or fewer goals in four of their five series games. 

Washington had the second-best offence in the league during the regular season with a 3.49 goals per game average compared to Florida's 3.00 average. The Capitals scored 40 more goals than the Panthers this season and the Canes held them in check due to stellar play from netminder Fredrick Andersen. 

At home, the Swedish netminder has a perfect 5-0 record with a 1.60 goals against average this postseason and is the betting favourite on the Hurricanes to win the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP. 

More NHL: Jonathan Toews NHL Return Could Be With Anaheim Ducks, According to NHL Insider

If the Panthers wanna win it'll have to be with clutch goals and elite goaltending ii return which they've received as well but from Sergei Bobrovsky. The star goaltender helped lead the Panthers to a championship last season and hasn't skipped a beat with a sensational effort versus the Maple Leafs when his team needed him with four goals allowed over the final four games. 

The public didn't like the low-scoring games Carolina forced into Washington in the second round but I would expect this again as both teams will look to smother each other and play a solid defensive game as they have all season. All but the final game of their series two years ago had every game go under five goals and I expect we should see a similar story here. 

More Hockey: Top NHL Prospect Expected to Join Michigan Wolverines Next Season

One-stop guide to NHL betting types, from moneylines to parlays and everything in between.

Whether you're a seasoned sports bettor or new to wagering on hockey, understanding the different types of NHL bets is key to making smarter decisions.

The NHL offers a variety of betting markets—from straightforward moneylines to creative parlay combinations—that give fans multiple ways to engage with the action on the ice.

In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through the most popular types of NHL bets, what they mean, and when to use them.

More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals

Moneyline Bets

The simplest form of NHL betting.

A moneyline bet is a wager on which team will win the game outright, regardless of the score margin.

Puck Line Bets

NHL’s version of the point spread. The puck line is almost always set at -1.5 for favorites and +1.5 for underdogs. This would mean to win you would need the favorite at  -1.5 to win by 2+ goals. Betting the underdog at +1.5, and your bet wins if they win or lose by one goal.

Over/Under (Totals)

Betting on the combined score of both teams. Oddsmakers set a projected total for the game, and you bet whether the actual total will be over or under that number.

An example would be a game with a total set at 6.5 goals with the over needing seven or more goals to be scored while the under would need six or fewer goals to be scored. 

More NHL: Jonathan Toews NHL Return Could Be With Anaheim Ducks, According to NHL Insider

Prop Bets (Proposition Bets)

Bets on specific events within the game. These aren’t tied to the outcome of the match but focus on individual performances or occurrences.

Examples of this are a player to score a goal, record a certain number of shots or if the game will go into overtime. Prop bets are great for adding fun and depth to the betting experience.

Period Betting

Wagering on individual periods rather than the full game. If you believe a team will have a strong start to a game then you can bet on them to outscore the opponent and win a specific period, or you could bet on game totals within that period.

Futures Bets

Long-term bets on season outcomes. These bets are typically the longest to wait for but have the highest upside in terms of potential winnings as you need to wait on events that will happen in the future, such as who will win the Stanley Cup or which player will win MVP.

Parlays

Combine multiple bets into one for higher payouts. A parlay links two or more bets together, and all of them must win for the ticket to cash.

This could be with picks from different games or multiple bets from the same game. The risk is the highest with these bets, but the reward multiplies with each added leg.

More Hockey: Top NHL Prospect Expected to Join Michigan Wolverines Next Season

Live Betting (In-Game Wagering)

Betting in real-time as the game unfolds. Odds adjust based on what’s happening on the ice, and you can place bets throughout the game.

For example, if you believe the Panthers are dominating early on in a game you can take them before they score and cash in before they score. This fast-paced option is ideal for experienced bettors who understand game flow and momentum.

With four teams left, odds roll out for NHL Conference Finals starting Tuesday

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are down to four, and the series odds paint a picture of two tightly contested matchups. In the East, the Florida Panthers face the Carolina Hurricanes, while out West, the Dallas Stars take on the Edmonton Oilers.

The markets are tight, the narratives are set, and with series prices, MVP odds, and exact outcomes on the board, there’s no shortage of angles for bettors.

All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.

More NHL: Jonathan Toews NHL Return Could Be With Anaheim Ducks, According to NHL Insider

Eastern Conference Final: Florida Panthers (-125) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (+104)

Florida enters as a modest favorite, with oddsmakers narrowly favoring the Panthers to reach the Final for a third straight season. The most common outcome based on odds?

A Panthers win in six games (+420), tied with a Hurricanes win in seven (+420). Bettors looking for value might consider Carolina’s resilience at plus money — this series is expected to be a grind either way.

Goaltending will likely decide the outcome. The Panthers’ Sergei Bobrovsky is the betting favorite to win the Conn Smythe for Florida, while Frederik Andersen holds that title for Carolina. If either netminder takes over, they could tilt the series and vault themselves into MVP conversations.

Despite having the longest Stanley Cup odds of the four teams (+310), Carolina’s experience and defensive structure remain dangerous — particularly with veteran Brett Burns, who leads all remaining players in odds to receive the first Cup handoff at +350 odds. 

More NHL: Flyers Name Rick Tocchet as New Head Coach

Western Conference Final: Dallas Stars (-102) vs. Edmonton Oilers (-118)

There’s almost no separation between the Stars and Oilers in the series odds. Edmonton is the slight favorite, but Dallas to win in seven games (+420) is the most bet outcome. That’s closely followed by the Oilers to win in six or seven games, both priced at +430 odds.

This series features a lot of star power — and the Conn Smythe board reflects it. Connor McDavid leads all playoff MVP candidates at +380, with Dallas forward Mikko Rantanen second at +450 odds. The battle between Edmonton’s elite offense and Dallas’ depth and structure should produce fireworks.

Importantly, there’s precedent for a losing finalist to take home the Conn Smythe — which McDavid did it last season. Odds for a player to do so again sit at +950, with McDavid or Rantanen appearing to be the only realistic candidates. If either posts monster numbers in a long series, that path could open once again.

More NHL: Utah Hockey Club Announces New Team Name