The NHL’s final four are set, and hockey fans are in for a treat as both conference finals kick off this week.
The Eastern Conference Finals start Tuesday night with the Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Florida Panthers at 8 p.m. ET.
The defending champion Panthers are riding high after an impressive comeback against Toronto. Down 2-0 in the series, Florida showed their championship DNA by winning four of the next five games.
Carolina’s path here was even more dominant. They took down the East’s top seed, the Washington Capitals, in just five games.
These teams know each other well from the regular season, where Florida won two of their three matchups. But playoff hockey is a different animal.
The oddsmakers are giving Carolina a slight edge for Game 1, making them -125 favorites. They’re expecting a tight, defensive battle with the total set at 5.5 goals.
Out West, the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars begin their series Wednesday night in what should be a high-scoring affair.
For fans looking to get in on the action, there are plenty of ways to bet on these games:
- Money line: Simply pick who wins
- Spread: Bet on the margin of victory (usually 1.5 goals)
- Over/Under: Predict if the total goals will be higher or lower than the set number
- Props: Bet on individual player stats like goals or assists
- Live betting: Place bets during the game as odds change
Several major sportsbooks are offering sweet deals for new users:
FanDuel is giving away $200 in bonus bets if you win your first $5 bet.
DraftKings offers $300 in bonus bets with a $5 first bet.
BetMGM will match your first lost bet up to $1,500 plus give you a $50 bonus bet.
Fanatics provides $1,000 in "No Sweat Bets" over your first 10 days.
bet365 hands out $150 in bonus bets after your first $5 wager.
Caesars gives new users 10 profit boost tokens after their first bet.
Remember to bet responsibly. If you need help, call 1-800-GAMBLER or reach out to the National Council for Problem Gambling.
The Stanley Cup is just weeks away. Who’s your pick to hoist hockey’s holy grail?
