Opening Odds For The NHL Restart

March 11 was the last time that we saw NHL competition as COVID-19 started to sweep through North America, halting play and leaving the remainder of the season in jeopardy. Now, following a four-month delay, hockey will be back in our lives starting August 1. We have the matchups for the Stanley Cup playoffs and the series prices for each of those and now we have the odds for each game of the opening weekend.

Online sportsbook Bovada has released odds for the opening weekend with the Pittsburgh Penguins being the largest favorites at -165 over the Montreal Canadiens, who are coming back at +145. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche’s first game is set as a pick’em.

See Odds Shark’s Best NHL Sites

New to betting on hockey? Be sure to check out our NHL betting guide to help you get in on the action. Also, keep an eye on our NHL odds page for the latest up-to-date betting lines for the opening weekend.

Saturday, August 1, NHL Odds

Odds as of July 31 at Bovada

Odds as of July 31 at Bovada

Odds as of July 31 at Bovada

Odds as of July 31 at Bovada

Odds as of July 31 at Bovada

Sunday, August 2, NHL Odds

Odds as of July 31 at Bovada

Odds as of July 31 at Bovada

Odds as of July 31 at Bovada

Odds as of July 31 at Bovada

Odds as of July 31 at Bovada

NHL Restart Picks

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Columbus Blue Jackets

The first line that popped out to me for the opening slate of games is the OVER 6 goals at -105 between the Leafs and Jackets. The layoff will have allowed both teams to heal up injuries and for Toronto, it will allow players such as Morgan Rielly, Jake Muzzin and Ilya Mikheyev to return to action at a high level.

These two teams played twice at the start of the regular season back in October, with the Leafs winning the first game 4-1, but dropping the second one 4-3 in overtime. As you can see, one game went OVER 6 goals and the other went UNDER. I’m banking on a high-scoring affair.

Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins

The second pick I’m digging is the biggest favorite on the board and that’s Pittsburgh -165. The Habs have had at least three players test positive for the virus, defenseman Karl Alzner has opted out of returning and Max Domi may follow the same approach. This impacts the time to jell and get back on the ice for at least five players.

As for the Pens, the stoppage in play may have benefited them more than any other team as they have their top-line winger back after it appeared he was done for the season. Jake Guentzel was injured in late December after putting up 43 points, including 20 goals, in 39 games. Pittsburgh went out and got Patrick Marleau at the trade deadline and this team has a shot at lifting the Cup again.

New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes

I have to give out a good underdog play and that ‘dog will be the Rangers at +110. It is a little surprising to see that New York opened at plus money against Carolina after sweeping the season series 4-0. The Canes were one of two teams that was not in favor of expanding the playoffs and perhaps that’s because they knew they would have to face the Rangers in the opening round.

The biggest boost for New York is getting Chris Kreider back. The winger had racked up 45 points over 63 games, including his fifth career season with 20-plus goals. There also could be a goalie battle between Henrik Lundqvist, Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev which, if all three are playing at a high level, makes this team very dangerous.