NHL Playoffs Preview: Eastern and Western Conference Finals Game 1

Summary

The NHL playoffs are in the pen-ultimate stage, just like the NBA, and we have four teams who are ready to give it their all before the Stanley Cup Finals.

Making sure everything is ready to go, these four teams have grinded their way to this point and are all deserving of a chance to win the Cup for their cities.

These playoffs have had the highest pace in history, and we are seeing a constant theme of pressure and pucks into the offensive zone.

There are straight up brawls between teams right now, and we hope to continue this amazing pace through the last three series of the season.

Hockey has been a very underrated sport for a while now, and there is no doubt that people may start tuning in more as these teams continue to put on a spectacle.

Gaining momentum from the public, the NHL has a treat set in store with these four teams left in the semi finals.

The deserving winners will have a historic moment and opportunity to lift the Stanley Cup, the greatest achievement in hockey.

Let’s look at the matchups this week on Stake.com’s sportsbook!

Florida Panthers @ Carolina Hurricanes - Game 1 - Thursday, May 18th

The Florida Panthers are doing a feat similar to that of the Miami Heat, and there is nothing to say that they can’t win this series as well.

The Panthers are surprisingly one of the more efficient teams of these playoffs, but they have a huge task in front of them with the best defensive team of the NHL in the Hurricanes upcoming.

Brandon Montour and Matthew Tkachuk are firing on all cylinders right now, and their defence has maintained greatness in the past two series.

If they want to have a chance in this series, they need to lock down on the Hurricanes powerplay and make sure they don’t commit silly mistakes leading to goals.

Sergei Bobrovsky is the key player to watch, as his play has saved the Panthers in goal so many times during these playoffs.

The Carolina Hurricanes are feeling very good about their chances at the Stanley Cup and their defence has held up in nearly all games.

Brent Burns and Sebastian Aho will be hard-pressed to find a better opportunity to deliver for their franchise on the biggest stage of the sport than where they are currently, and it could be finally time for the Canes to make the push.

Over the line, this team looks the best on paper out of all remaining teams, and there is certainly a path for victory into the Cup this time around.

Betting Prediction - Hurricanes moneyline and the over on total goals.

Dallas Stars @ Vegas Golden Knights - Game 1 - Friday, May 19th

Dallas and Vegas are two of the feistiest competitors left in the competition, and after eliminating two heavy competitors in their respective conference semis series, they have a chance to get back to the Cup.

Dallas has had the arguably easier road to this point, while Vegas has had to dismantle the best offense in the NHL in the process.

Dallas have shown massive weak spots in their offense and defence throughout these playoffs but are never a dog to count out.

Vegas is firing without any hesitation right now, and they are looking like the likely victor in this series.

Key players are found in Jake Eichel and Jason Robertson, both potential MVP candidates in their own rights.

Prediction - VGK wins game one and the over on goals.