2026 NHL Playoff Series Odds — Round 1 Betting Lines & Best Values

• The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin Saturday, April 18th
• Opening series odds have been released for all eight first-round matchups
• See below for all NHL playoff series odds plus analysis on the best values in Round 1

The NHL playoff bracket is locked in. Eight first-round matchups are on deck starting Saturday, and DraftKings has already released series odds for every one of them.

The Colorado Avalanche are the heaviest favorites in the field, while a pair of Central Division rivals look like the tightest series on the board.

Below is a full breakdown of the Round 1 NHL odds and the most notable prices heading into playoff hockey.

2026 NHL Playoffs Round 1 Series Odds

Colorado is the heaviest favorite in any Round 1 matchup at -380, translating to a 79.2% implied probability to advance. At the other end of the spectrum, the Stars vs Wild series is the tightest line on the board at -120/+100.

Before making any picks, ensure you download our printable NHL Playoff Bracket so you can track your selections.

DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOK

Offer

T&Cs

Sign Up Today & Receive Up to
$1,050 in Bonuses!

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Token expires 2/1/26. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 1/25/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

LOCK IN PROMO

SIGNUP PROMO

SIGN UP
& GET $1,050

BONUS BETS + DEPOSIT BONUS

GET PROMO

NHL Playoff series odds as of April 16 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Claim the DraftKings promo code to bet on the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Avalanche the Heaviest Round 1 Favorite

Colorado is priced like a team nobody wants to play, and for good reason. Nathan MacKinnon led the league with 127 points, Scott Wedgewood posted the best GAA among playoff starters at 2.07, and the Avs’ +99 goal differential is staggering. They also swept the Kings 3-0 in the season series, outscoring them 13-5.

LA’s PK (74.7%) is the worst among any playoff team, and Darcy Kuemper will need to be superhuman for the Kings to steal more than a game. The -380 price is steep, but it’s hard to argue with the numbers.

Wild vs Stars the Tightest Series on the Board

The Central Division’s 2-vs-3 matchup is a coin flip in the eyes of oddsmakers. Dallas opened at -140 when the matchup was first announced but has drifted to -120, with Minnesota now available at even money. The Wild took the regular season series 2-1 and outshot Dallas 101-73 across three meetings.

This is the most evenly matched series in the field and the one most likely to go seven games. For a deeper look, check out our Wild vs Stars series preview.

Best Round 1 Upset Values

If you’re hunting for an upset, the Canadiens at +205 against the Lightning is worth a look. Montreal and Tampa both finished the season with 106 points, and the Habs won the last two head-to-head meetings heading into the playoffs. The Canadiens also own the better power play (23.4% vs 21.0%). Kucherov and Vasilevskiy make Tampa the rightful favorite, but +205 is a lot of value for a team this talented.

The Bruins at +145 against Buffalo also stand out. Boston won the season series 3-1, David Pastrnak is the best player in the matchup at 100 points, and the Bruins went 3-0 at KeyBank Center this year. The Sabres are making their first playoff appearance since 2011 and have zero postseason experience in their lineup. That kind of pressure can show up early in a series.

Notable NHL Playoff Odds Movement

A few lines have shifted since the series matchups were first announced. The biggest mover is the Wild vs Stars line, which has come in from -140/+120 to -120/+100. Money has also come in on the Senators, whose Caesars price moved from +155 to +145 at DraftKings. The Flyers vs Penguins line has also tightened slightly, going from -175/+145 to -170/+140.

The Mammoth vs Golden Knights line has held steady at -190/+155, which is interesting given Utah’s 2-1 season series win and Vegas’s mid-season coaching change from Bruce Cassidy to John Tortorella.