The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs have reached the conference finals stage, with only four teams left competing for the championship. In the Western Conference Final, the Edmonton Oilers face off against the Dallas Stars, while the Eastern Conference Final features a clash between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers.
The Eastern Conference Final series kicks off with Game 1 on Tuesday evening, followed by the start of the Western Conference Final on Wednesday. If you are looking for information on how to place bets on the NHL playoffs, particularly the Panthers-Hurricanes matchup, this guide provides the details you need.
Florida, the reigning champions, earned their spot in the Eastern Conference Final by mounting a comeback against the Maple Leafs in their previous series, winning four consecutive games after falling behind 2-0. The Hurricanes, on the other hand, showed dominance in the second round, defeating the top-seeded Washington Capitals in just five games. During the regular season, these two teams met three times, with the Panthers winning two of those contests. For Game 1, sports betting odds list the Hurricanes as slight favorites at -125, with the total goals line set at 5.5. The puck drop for Game 1 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
You can place bets on the NHL playoffs through various online sportsbooks and their mobile apps, which include popular platforms like FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Fanatics, bet365, and Caesars. These represent some of the leading options available for wagering on the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, and many offer special promotions for new users.
How to Bet on the NHL
Whether you are betting on the Conference Finals series, individual games, or specific player performance, several common betting types are available:
- Money line: A straightforward bet on which team will win the game outright.
- Spread: Betting based on the margin of victory. For instance, a -1.5 spread means the favored team must win by two or more goals, while a +1.5 spread on the underdog means they can either win or lose by only one goal.
- Over/Under (Total): Wager on whether the combined final score of both teams will be higher or lower than a specified number set by the oddsmakers (e.g., Over 5.5 goals or Under 5.5 goals).
- Props: Short for proposition bets, these are wagers on specific events within the game or individual player statistics, such as the number of goals scored by a player or the total shots on goal.
- Parlay: A bet that combines multiple individual wagers into one. All selections must be correct for the parlay to win, offering a higher payout potential but also increased risk.
- Live betting: Placing bets on a game that is currently in progress. Odds and lines are updated in real-time based on the action on the ice.
It is essential for all bettors to understand their limits and practice responsible gaming. Reputable sportsbooks offer tools to help manage betting activity, such as options to set deposit limits, time limits, or request self-exclusion. Additionally, resources are available for those who need support, including national organizations like the National Council for Problem Gambling (NCPG) and Gamblers Anonymous, or by calling or texting 1-800-GAMBLER.
