NHL Playoffs Betting Preview: North Division Odds

The Edmonton Oilers will be looking to maintain their recent winning ways against Winnipeg on Wednesday night when they begin their first-round series with the Jets as opening -145 home favorites for Game 1 on the NHL odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.

Edmonton dominated the Jets in head-to-head action during the regular season, claiming victory in seven of nine overall meetings, and is undefeated in its past six dates with Winnipeg going into Wednesday night’s Game 1 matchup at Rogers Place.

Listed as -180 betting favorites to knock out Winnipeg on the NHL playoff series prices, the Oilers have slammed the door on the Jets during their current win streak. Edmonton has surrendered just seven total goals during the club’s current 6-0-0 run against the Jets, and has claimed victory by multi-goal margins in each of their past four meetings.

The Oilers also return to the postseason for a second straight year following a steady stretch run. The team earned the win in 12 of its final 17 overall contests, but has struggled on home ice, losing four of its past six.

Listed as +160 underdogs on the series prices at betting sites, the Jets have work to do to overcome a disappointing finish to the regular season. The team endured a dismal 1-9-0 run before closing things out with a pair of wins over opponents with little to play for last week. And while the Jets tallied nine total goals in their season-ending wins over Vancouver and Toronto, they mustered a meagre 1.70 goals per game during their recent 10-game swoon.

Complicating matters further is the Jets’ woeful track record in the postseason that has seen them get bounced in the first round in three of their four playoff appearances since relocating to Winnipeg a decade ago.

Meanwhile, North Division playoff action continues on Thursday as the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Montreal Canadiens as opening -222 home favorites on the Game 1 odds. The Maple Leafs clinched their first divisional title in 20 years on the strength of back-to-back home wins over Montreal 10 days ago. Overall, Toronto topped the Canadiens in seven of 10 meetings this season, and sits as -340 chalk on the series prices (how the moneyline works).

Listed as +270 underdogs to upset their rivals in their first playoff clash in 42 years, the Canadiens also face the task of snapping a season-ending losing streak. Injuries have emerged as an issue for Montreal, with forwards Brendan Gallagher and Philip Danault, defenceman Shea Weber, and goaltender Carey Price all missing time. However, all four are expected to be available when the puck drops for Game 1 at Scotiabank Arena.