NHL Western Conference Playoffs First-Round Recap, Betting Odds, & Trends

Colorado vs Arizona |  Avalanche Lead Series, 2-1 

Game 4 will be played Monday with the Avalanche looking to advance their 2-1 series lead. Game 1 went in Colorado’s favor 3-0, giving the Avs a dominant start. Nevertheless, things would be much tighter in Game 2 despite Colorado skating away with the win, 3-2. Arizona would bounce back in Game 3, 4-2, which has kept it alive in the series. So should we expect the ‘Yotes to build off their Game 3 success? Or will we see Colorado take a two-game lead? Let’s take a look at the Game 4 odds to see what sportsbooks are expecting.

Game 4 Odds Avalanche vs Coyotes
Team	Puck Line	Totals (Over/Under)	Money Line
Avalanche	-1½ +145	5  -140o	-190
Coyotes	+1½ -165	5  +120u	+165

Interestingly, the NHL odds are pegging Colorado as a substantial favorite on the money-line in Game 4. So far, the Avalanche have outscored the Coyotes, 8-6, and the odds are expecting them to down Arizona once again. Let’s take a look at both sides betting trends to see where the best value lies.

Colorado vs Arizona Injuries

St. Louis vs Vancouver | Canucks Lead Series, 2-1 

Like the Avalanche vs Coyotes series, Game 4 of the Blues-Canucks series takes place Monday. Vancouver has built a  2-1 lead. That lead got its start when Vancouver delivered a decisive 5-2 victory in the opener. The Canucks managed to take Game 2 as well, 4-3 in overtime. The Blues managed to take Game 3, 3-2, in overtime as well. With this in mind, what can we expect out of Game 4? Let’s take a gander at the betting lines. 

Game 4 Odds Blues vs Canucks
Team	Puck Line	Totals (Over/Under)	Money Line
Blues	-1½ +180	5½  Evo	-125
Canucks	+1½ -220	5½  -120u	+105

Clearly the NHL odds are expecting Game 4 to go to Vancouver as the money-line and puck-line are favoring the Canucks. Heading into Game 4, Vancouver has outscored St. Louis, 11-8. Below we’ll be taking a look at some recent betting trends so bettors can determine where the best value lies. 

Blues vs Canucks Injuries

Calgary Flames vs Dallas Stars | Series tied 2-2 

The Stars-Flames series has undoubtedly given us the most heated matches. Testament to this is the fact that things are all tied heading into Game 5. In fact, no team has managed to pick up back-to-back wins. Game 1 saw Calgary with a 3-2 win. However, the Stars would find their revenge in Game 2. 5-4. Calgary came back in Game 3 with a 2-0 win. The Stars would not be held down for long as they delivered a 5-4 overtime win in Game 4. Let’s take a look at the Game 5 NHL Western Conference playoffs first-round odds to see what the bookmakers are expecting. Game 5 will take place this Tuesday. 

Game 5 Odds Flames vs Stars
Team	Puck Line	Totals (Over/Under)	Money Line
Flames	+1½ -250	5  -130o	+105
Stars	-1½ +210	5  +110u	-125

As was to be expected, the Flames-Stars Game 5 odds are predicting a close game. The money-line odds are favoring Dallas but the favoritism is slight. The Stars are coming off a win and the odds are expecting them to build off it. 

Flames vs Stars Injuries

Chicago vs Vegas | Golden Knights lead, 3-1 

Vegas is deadset on making a deep run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, evident by their start to the NHL Western Conference playoff first-round. The Golden Knights kicked the series off with a 4-1 win followed by a 4-3 overtime win. Although Vegas managed to build on its success in Game 3 with a 2-1 win over the Blackhawks, it would lose in the subsequent match 3-1. Let’s take a look at what the odds are predicting for Game 5. 

Game 5 Odds Blackhawks vs Golden Knights
Team	Puck Line	Totals (Over/Under)	Money Line
Blackhawks	+1½ -150	6  +105o	+165
Golden Knights	-1½ +130	6  -125u	-190

Clearly the odds are expecting the Golden Knights to take the series in Game 5. It wouldn’t be all that surprising. 

Blackhawks vs Golden Knights Injuries