There’s nothing like the NHL Playoffs. While hockey is ordinarily an intense game, the playoffs up that intensity several notches. And the fact that every series is a seven-game series makes it even that much more special.

This year’s first round matchups are very interesting. The push for the playoffs sometimes leaves teams exhausted but conversely can energize them. Here’s a roundup of every first-round series.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Washington Capitals (-300) vs. Montreal Canadiens (+240)

This could be a case where the Canadiens are simply exhausted. To make the playoffs, they had to win 7 of their last 10 games, one of their best streaks of the season behind the madness of Ivan Demidov. The Caps, meanwhile coasted through the season watching their captain, Alex Ovechkin, achieve the most goals in NHL history. But the Caps are missing some key pieces, including their top goalie, Logan Thompson. That could be an argument for an upset.

Toronto Maple Leafs (-175) vs Ottawa Senators (+145)

It’s the battle of Ontario. It’s been eight years since the Ottawa Senators have been to the playoffs, so it would be easy to overlook them. But the Toronto Maple Leafs have choked in the first round seven of the last eight years. Ottawa has dominated the Leafs over the last two years, winning the last five games in a row. So you can never count out Toronto from embarrassing its fans yet again.

Tampa Bay Lightning (-102) vs Florida Panthers (-118)

It’s the fight of Florida. The Tampa Bay Lightning are ripe for revenge as the defending champion Florida Panthers eliminated them last year. In addition, they’re playing well at the right time, winning 6 of their last 10, including a 5-1 victory over the Panthers, who stumbled into the playoffs losing 5 of their last 7. But Florida clinched a playoff berth last month allowing them to rest their stars and return Matthew Tkachuk healthy for the playoffs. Tough one to call.

Carolina Hurricanes (-275) vs New Jersey Devils (+225)

Hard to believe this series isn’t going to go to the Carolina Hurricanes. Like the Panthers, the Canes have been resting their stars for the last couple of weeks, while the Devils are without their two biggest pieces, Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton. The oddsmakers recognize this disparity so no upset looming here.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Winnipeg Jets (-210) vs St. Louis (+170)

The Winnipeg Jets were the surprise of this season, winning their first 18 games and coasting to the top seed in the West, giving them home ice advantage where they’ve won 30 of 41 games, losing only 7 all season. They also dominated the Blues this season winning three of four games. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck has a .928 save percentage. Now, St. Louis did win 12 straight games at the end of the season, but that streak was stopped by the Jets. Don’t believe the Blues hype.

Dallas Stars (+105) vs Colorado Avalanche (-125)

Talk about stumbling into the playoffs. The Dallas Stars lost six straight games and gave up 4.8 goals per game during that stretch. Unbelievable for such a previously great defensive team. And with the Colorado Avalanche scoring 273 goals this season, that plays right into their wide-open game plan. But Dallas can score as well, besting the Avs by one goal overall. But if the defense doesn’t show up, it could be series over.

Vegas Golden Knights (-235) vs Minnesota Wild (+195)

It’s been a mismatch between the Golden Knights and the Wild, with VGK winning the last five, and 8 of their last 10, not to mention winning 10 of its last 14 games in the regular season. The Wild have taken some games into overtime, but their defense is nothing if not porous. They clinched their playoff berth by beating the lowly San Jose Sharks 8-7 in overtime. Nice gesture by the Minnesota coach bringing in lightly used but legendary goalie—and former Golden Knight—Marc-Andre Fleury to secure that win after clinching the berth with the overtime point, but VGK all the way in this one.

Los Angeles Kings (+110) vs Edmonton Oilers (-130)

This is an odd one. The Kings are the higher seed, but the Oilers are favored. Perhaps it was their trip to the Stanley Cup Finals last year, but the Oilers are again bristling with their stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers will be without their premier defenseman Mattias Ekholm, so the Kings might be able to stop the Oilers, who have ousted them from the playoffs the last three seasons.

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