NHL Playoffs Odds & Picks: Sunday (4/21)

It is one of the more exciting times of the year: the Stanley Cup playoffs. What makes the NHL have such a special playoff run is that sometimes, the best team doesn't always win. It starts tonight with four games, and we'll look at the best bets for each.

Our NHL Prop Bet Cheat Sheet assists bettors by comparing lines from leading sportsbooks with our daily projections >>

Sunday's NHL Best Bets

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Tampa Bay Lightning (+142) at Florida Panthers (-170) | O/U 5.5 (-120/+100)

Last year, the Panthers did what few teams have, and that's made it to the Stanley Cup Finals as an 8-Seed. They didn't finish the job, but this team is much better than last year. The defense was the driving force this season, especially the goaltending; Anthony Stolarz and Sergei Bobrosky were phenomenal, each finishing in the top six in goals saved above expected and having a combined 35.7.

They get a tough draw against the playoff-experienced Lightning, who have appeared in three of the last four Stanley Cup Finals. They are coming into the playoffs on fire, going 12-4-2 in their final 18 games. This offense, featuring assist and points leader Nikita Kucherov, is firing on all cylinders, but the defense has improved. Andrei Vasilevsiky had a slow start to his season but ended the season looking like his old self.

These two are long-standing intrastate rivals, so they will play each other tough. In the last two games, the offense has played a large part, and we should see that tonight, even with the goaltending matchup.

Pick: Over 5.5 Total Goals (-120)

Washington Capitals (+195) at New York Rangers (-238) | O/U 5.5 (+100/-120)

The Rangers had one of their best seasons in franchise history, and as a team that's part of the original six, that's saying something. Their expected goal share is 12th at 51.16%, which is great, but their even-strength offense ranks 21st, however, the Power Play and Penalty Kill are in the top six.

The Capitals were in a tight race toward the end of the year for that second Wild Card spot and have played inconsistently throughout the season. The offense has been horrendous all season, and they have the lowest goals scored per game and expected goal share of any team in the playoffs. The defense wasn't better, allowing 3.07 goals per game, and the blue line was average, allowing 27.4 shots per game.

The Rangers hold a clear advantage on each side of the puck, and talent-wise, this should be a quick series for them.

Pick: Rangers -1.5 (+120)

Colorado Avalanche (-105) at Winnipeg Jets (-115) | O/U 5.5 (-120/+100)

The Avalanche couldn't defend their Stanley Cup championship last year, but they still have a large core of that team for this run. That features the top forward unit, including heavy Hart Trophy favorite Nathan MacKinnon. The offense will be the catalyst because the defense had a down year, including the blue line, which allowed the second-most high-danger shots.

That might not be a big concern against Winnipeg, which had the fifth-fewest high-danger shots. This team will rely on its defense, as it allowed the second-fewest goals this year. It has the heavy Vezina Trophy favorite Connor Hellebuyck, whose 33.1 goals saved above expected were 11 more than the next goalie.

This will be a strength vs. strength series, so who will blink first? The Jets are only a small favorite, but if they should shut down that top line, the Avs aren’t good enough on the deeper lines to pick up the slack.

Pick: Jets Moneyline (-115)

Nashville Predators (+124) at Vancouver Canucks (-148) | O/U 5.5 (-120/+100)

The Canucks started as the best team in the league for the first half of the year and were top five in goals scored and allowed, but in the second half, they regressed. One of their most important players, Thatcher Demko, missed a month, but they could make a run with him back in the cage, along with this offense.

The Predators were sellers during the trade deadline last year, so they weren't expected to be competitive this season. The offense was incredible, however. They were eighth with a 52.2% expected goal share, with four guys over 20 goals, including Filip Forsberg.

With the Canucks back in full force, we should see that early-season dominance.

Pick: Canucks Moneyline (-148)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Sunday: