The 2020-21 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs have provided great action for hockey fans so far. Tonight shouldn’t be any different as a pair of games are sure to thrill fans. In the first game of the night at 7:00 p.m. EST, the Toronto Maple Leafs will look to send the Montreal Canadiens packing in Game 5 of their series. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes will look to do the same as they visit the Nashville Predators for some Game 6 action at 9:30.
As with any major sporting events, Bovada has released odds’s for tonight’s NHL contests. Continue reading to see which team has the best odds of getting one win closer to a Stanley Cup victory.
NHL Odds: Montreal Canadiens (No. 4) vs Toronto Maple Leafs (No. 1) Game 5
Odds via Bovada as of Thursday, May 27
- Series: TOR leads 3-1
- Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
- Moneyline: Canadiens (+190) vs Maple Leafs (-230)
- Point Spread: Canadiens +1.5 (-140), Maple Leafs -1.5 (+120)
- Total: 5.5 — Over (+110), Under (-130)
The Maple Leafs have a chance to advance to the second round of the NHL postseason to face the Winnipeg Jets if they can defeat the Canadiens on Thursday. Toronto has been absolutely dominant this series, outscoring Montreal 12-4 through the first four games. While a lot of experts thought that it would be Conn Smythe candidate Auston Matthews who’d do the damage to the Canadiens, it’s actually been the Leafs’ roster as a whole. Their 12 goals scored have come from eight different players, including William Nylander leading the way with four.
One thing that Montreal can’t do is blame Carey Price for their series deficit. The 33-year-old goaltender has been solid in net, recording a .920 save percentage and 2.58 goals against average. The only way for the Canadiens to get back into the series is by scoring goals. Averaging a goal per game isn’t good enough to win in the NHL Playoffs, which means guys like Josh Anderson, Eric Staal, Tyler Toffoli and everyone in between needs to step it up. That especially holds true for the power play, where Montreal has yet to record a goal. Long story short: the Canadiens will be sent packing unless they snap out of whatever funk it is that they’re in.
Carolina Hurricanes (No. 1) vs Nashville Predators (No. 4) Game 6 Odds
Odds via Bovada as of Thursday, May 27
- Series: CAR leads the series 3-2
- Time: 9:30 p.m. EST
- Moneyline: Hurricanes (-145) vs Predators (+125)
- Point Spread: Hurricanes -1.5 (+175), Predators +1.5 (-210)
- Total: 5.5 — Over (+115), Under (-135)
At -145 odds, it’s looking like the Hurricanes have a good opportunity to advance to the NHL Playoffs’ second-round tonight. While the series is pretty close, it’s been Carolina that’s been leading in most major categories so far. The Hurricanes are outscoring the Predators 18-13 while having the superior power play (18.8% vs 9.1%) and penalty kill (90.9% vs 81.3%). Carolina has also been getting things done by committee with 10 different goal-scorers so far.
Meanwhile, the Predators need to find a way to keep their NHL playoff hopes alive. For starters, they need to start getting more pucks to the net to create goal-scoring opportunities. Carolina is outshooting Nashville 223-178 through the first five games, which is a +45 shot differential or an average of nine more shots per game. Even if the Predators want to play defense first, the Hurricanes are deep enough where they can call on more players to step up if their top options are shut down. Considering how Nashville is 2-0 in the playoffs when scoring four or more goals, it might be wise for them to focus on matching Carolina’s firepower in Game 6.
