NHL Playoff Series Odds and Picks for the Conference Semi-Finals

The first round of the NHL Playoffs was as dramatic as they come. Five of the eight series went to Game 7, and two of those games went to overtime.

The second round is now set as teams will attempt to earn a berth in the Conference finals. One Canadian province and one state will see rivals face-off in this round. The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers will play in the battle of Alberta. The Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning will play against each other in an all-Florida showdown.

Here are the odds for each series, as well as my picks, for the conference semi-finals. All odds posted below are via WynnBET Sportsbook.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers Series Odds

• Lightning +130
• Panthers -160

The defending back-to-back Stanley Cup champions will face the President Trophy winners in the conference semi-finals. The Panthers are favored in this battle of Florida, at -160 (bet $160 to profit $100) odds.

The Lightning's championship experience proved invaluable in the opening round against the Maple Leafs. They were facing a 3-2 series deficit, but came back to win in overtime in Game 6, and then won a hard-fought battle in Game 7. Meanwhile, the Panthers struggled at times to get past a weak Capitals team.

I've said this before, but the Panthers' wide-open style of hockey is exciting to watch, but can come back to haunt them in the postseason. The Capitals had an expected goals per 60 minutes of 3.28 against the Panthers in the opening round, and those numbers won't fly against Tampa Bay.

The Lightning are good enough defensively to shutdown the Panthers high-octane offense, and if they need to, can keep up with them offensively. Tampa Bay is a strong underdog bet to continue their campaign to win their third-straight Stanley Cup.

Pick: Lightning +130

Colorado Avalanche vs. St. Louis Blues Series Odds

• Avalanche -425
• Blues +325

The Colorado Avalanche was the only team in the first round to handle their series with ease. They swept the Nashville Predators, while every other series went at least six games. Now, they face the St. Louis Blues, who got past the Minnesota Wild in six games.

I haven't been as high on the Avalanche as the oddsmakers have been all season. They were able to take advantage of a Predators team that was banged up, and had no chance to make a postseason run.

The Avalanche ranked 21st in high danger scoring chances against this regular season, which is an area that the Blues can take advantage of. St. Louis led the NHL in shooting percentage this season, so if you give them chances to score, they'll be able to take advantage.

Colorado is rightfully favored, but the odds are completely mispriced. If you want an big-time underdog to bet on in the first round, you won't find one better than the Blues.

Pick: Blues +325

New York Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes Series Odds

• Rangers +180
• Hurricanes -220

No team was technically less deserving of a series win in the opening round than the New York Rangers.

With that being said, there's a reason why sports aren't played on calculators and excel sheets. The Rangers came back from a 3-1 series lead to beat the Penguins in overtime in Game 7. But even though they advanced to the next round, Carolina should be able to expose all the holes that New York showed in the opening round.

The Rangers finished last amongst all teams in the first round with an expected goals against of 4.28 per 60 minutes. They also allowed the most high-danger scoring chances per game at 18.48. Shesterkin saved their series, but now they have to take on a much better offense in the Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes won't waste the opportunities presented to them, and I think they make quick work of the Rangers, who will need to re-tool their defense before next season.

Pick: Hurricanes -220

Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames Series Odds

• Oilers +160
• Flames -195

The Battle of Alberta is here, and it's sure to be an exciting series. It will be the first all-Alberta playoff series in 31 years. All Canadian hockey fans will be glued to this matchup, as the winner will be the countries only representative left in the playoffs.

Despite needing overtime in Game 7 to advance, the Flames dominated the Stars the entire series. If it wasn't for an all-time performance by Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger, the series would've ended quickly. The Flames ranked second in the first round of the playoffs in CORSI% at 60.14%, and they only allowed 9.51 high danger scoring chances per game, while creating 14.75 of their own.

The two teams went 2-2 against each other this series, but the Flames won the two most recent games, both in March. Calgary is the much more complete team, and Edmonton will find themselves outmatched on the defensive side of the ice.

The Flames will advance to the Western Conference Final.

Pick: Flames -195