Things did not start out as planned for the Kings or my wager in game 1 with the Rangers absolutely controlling the first period and ending it up 2-0 on a couple of breakaway goals from slopping LA defending. Sutter must have said something motivating in the intermission though because the Kings looked like a different team from then on and for the most part took the game to the Rangers. After a quick couple goals to tie the third period produced nothing, which meant overtime in the first game of the Finals. Leave it to Justin William, mister clutch, to score the overtime goal and give the Kings a 1-0 lead in the series and also win us some money.
On to game 2:
Rangers @ Kings Game 2
I expect game 2 to be more of the same without the horrible first period by the LA Kings. The Kings have the momentum now and when they are rolling it’s very difficult for their opposition. I expect a better game out of Drew Doughty as well, who was a bit of a goat on the two Rangers goals in the first period before making up for it with a beautiful individual effort. Doughty is usually rock solid on the back-end and I don’t see him coughing up the puck in this one. All of these these thoughts lead me to one conclusion: another Kings win. They are just the better all around team than the Rangers and as long as they can score a few goals on King Henrik they should be lifting the Stanley Cup very soon.
Play: Kings 1.68 (5Dimes)
The Kings vs Rangers series gets underway tonight to decide the Stanley Cup Champ. I’ve been away from posting for a little while and I actually didn’t get my series picks up for the last two rounds. That said, my first round picks were very good and I’m still up for the playoffs, albeit not by very much.
2014 NHL Playoff Record: 19-17 for +1.16 units.
Let’s get right into it. First I’ll give my series prediction and then follow it up with game 1.
Kings vs Rangers Series Pick
The Kings are the best team in the league when they play their best hockey. Unfortunately for them this doesn’t always happen, which results in a very streaky team that was forced to go to game 7 in each of their 3 series so far this playoffs. An interesting stat is that the most games played to win a Stanley Cup is 25, so if the Kings win the Cup they will either set this record or tie it with a 4-0 sweep of the Rangers.
From top to bottom the Kings have a better team than the Rangers. The high end forwards such as Kopitar, Gaborik, Carter and Williams in the playoffs are superior to those found on the Rangers. The strong depth grinders such as Brown and Richards are better than those found on the Rangers. The young guns playing solid hockey such as Toffoli and Pearson are better than those found on the Rangers. The top defenseman who plays close to half the game in Drew Doughty is better than the top end defenseman on the Rangers. The only place where the Rangers may be better is in goal and the only way the Rangers can expect to win this Stanley Cup is for Lundqvist to absolutely stand on his head.
The Rangers are the worst team that the Kings will have played so far in these playoffs (Sharks, Ducks, Blackhawks) so I don’t expect an experienced team like this to drop the ball in the most important series. I just see far more ways that the Kings win the Stanley Cup than the Rangers in this series so I’m taking the favourites to win fairly easily.
Play: Kings 1.60 (5Dimes)
I think the Kings will be the better team in every game in this series, but Lundqvist will steal one. Look for the Kings to close out the Cup Finals quicker than they did the previous three series.
Play: Kings To Win Series 4-1 5.05 (5Dimes)
Kings vs Rangers Game 1 Pick
You can probably guess by reading above that I like the Kings to win game 1. They have been very good at home throughout the playoffs and will look to get a streak going after winning game 7 in Chicago. The Kings know what it takes to win the Stanley Cup and they will not want to test their luck by going down in another series.
Play: Kings 1.67 (5Dimes)
The Habs came through for me last night and sent the series back to MSG with a big 7-4 lights out win. Tonight, the Blackhawks will look to do the same in Chicago with their backs against the wall, down 3-1 to the Kings.
2014 NHL Playoff Record: 19-16 for +2.16 units.
LA Kings @ Chicago Blackhawks
The Kings are once again on a roll having won the past 3 games in this series and as we know all to well it’s very difficult to stop the Kings once they start winning games. They seem to be scoring on command against the Blackhawks, with 15 goals being scored over the past 3 games. Chicago needs to find a way to slow the Kings down, but in my opinion the Kings just look too good when they are playing lights out like they have been. The Blackhawks have been great at the United Center all year and were perfect through the playoffs until game 2, but I’m not sure the home ice advantage will be enough tonight. The Kings seem to have figured the Blackhawks out and I expect them to close the series tonight.
In round 1 it took the Kings 3 losses to figure out the Kings before coming back with 4 wins. In series 2, the Kings went up 2-0, but then were outplayed by the Ducks in the next 3 games to go down 3-2, before figuring the Ducks out to win the series in 7. Now in the Conference Finals it looks like 1 quick loss and the Kings have figured out how to beat the Blackhawks. Once the Kings start rolling like that it’s very hard to stop them and as underdogs tonight the smart money has to be on the Kings.
Play: Kings 2.30 (SportsInteraction)
I once again went away this past weekend so I missed getting posts up for several days. Now that I’m back it’s game 5 between the Canadiens and Rangers with the Habs in a must win situation down 3-1 in the series.
2014 NHL Playoff Record: 19-16 for +1.21 units.
New York Rangers @ Montreal Canadiens
The game tonight is back at the Bell Centre, but that might not be advantageous for the Habs seeing as they lost both games to the Rangers there to kick off the series. That said, prior to those losses the Habs were 4-1 at home through the first two rounds of the playoffs. The Canadiens know they can win, but they do need some puck luck in this game. Dustin Tokarski has done everything he can to keep the Habs in games so it really comes down to the team in front of him in this must win situation. Subban hasn’t looked great this series, as it seems like he may be playing with a hurt wrist and the Habs will need his offensive help to score enough goals to win tonight. All of that said I do still like the Canadiens to win at home tonight and force a game 6. This team came back from 3-2 down against the Bruins and have shown a lot of heart throughout the playoffs. Carey Price is the big game goaltender, but I also expect Tokarski to rise to the challenge tonight.
Play: Canadiens 1.95 (BetOnline)
Everything went to plan last night until the last minute of the second period when the Kings were able to score to cut the Blackhawks lead in half. Then in the third period the Kings just turned it up and capitalized on their chances before really putting Chicago away when they were forced to press late in the game. That’s the first time the Blackhawks have lost at home this playoffs and I think it will be difficult for them in LA now that the Kings have momentum.
2014 NHL Playoff Record: 19-16 for +2.21 units.
Montreal Canadiens @ New York Rangers
The Habs go to New York for a must win game tonight. They are coming right back with Dustin Tokarski in net, which I think is the right move after he played fairly well in game 2 despite the loss. The strange thing is that if they lose this game you will likely see Budaj be put right into the fire in an elimination game and be told to win 4 in a row to get to the Cup Finals.
The Rangers do seem to have the Canadiens number so far in this series and they are generating a lot of offensive chances around the Montreal goal. Combine this with the fact that Henrik Lundqvist is seeing the puck like a beach ball and you have to think it will be difficult for the Habs to come back in this series.
An interesting stat is that the Rangers are now 5-0 since Martin St. Louis’ mother passed away. They were down 3-1 in the Pittsburgh series when the news broke, but St. Louis decided to still play in game 5. He has really become the Rangers best player and the team is rallying together right now and winning hockey games. The way they are playing I don’t see that stopping tonight.
Play: Rangers 1.61 (SportsInteraction.com)
I’ve been away for the past week, but I’m ready to get back to it and keep my winning post season going. Yesterday we had a day off, but tonight the NHL is back with game 2 of the Western Conference Playoffs.
2014 NHL Playoff Record: 19-15 for +3.21 units.
LA Kings @ Chicago Blackhawks – Game 2
The Kings have been such a streaky team this playoffs that I’m not sure it’s possible for them to only lose 1 game in a row. Let’s look at their streaks to this point:
- 3 Losses
- 6 Wins
- 3 Losses
- 2 Wins
They’ve now had their 2 game winning streak they used to finish of the Ducks broken and I think it’s going to continue. The Kings are now 6-0 when facing elimination in these playoffs and that means they are just 2-7 when not facing elimination. And tonight is not an elimination game.
Couple that stat with the fact that the Blackhawks are 7-0 at home in these playoffs and were 27-7-7 at home during the regular season and you have to start to think the Blackhawks really should win this game. I think this is a very important game for the Blackhawks if they hope to win this series. They know how good the Kings are with their backs against the wall and the Blackhawks haven’t been great (2-4) on the road so far in these playoffs. If they don’t win this game that will have to change because in my opinion, once the Kings win 3 the series is as good as over.
Play: Blackhawks 1.71 (Sports Interaction)
A couple of series ended last night and I have a feeling a couple more will follow suit tonight. The Bruins vs Habs game is game 7 so my feeling that it will end is actually more like fact. Last night the Rangers and Blackhawks both advanced to the Conference Finals and that added another couple wins in my playoff record.
2014 NHL Playoff Record: 19-13 for +5.21 units.
Montreal Canadiens @ Boston Bruins
The Bruins are bigger favourites than I anticipated heading into this game considering the Habs played such a strong game 6 and it could be said that they have momentum at the moment. That said though the Bruins have been ridiculously good at home this season having gone 31-7-3 during the season and 4-2 in the playoffs at TD Garden. Add in the fact they haven’t lost back to back games this entire post season and the clutch players and experience they have on their team and you start to see why they are such big favourites in this winner take all scenario. I’m not a huge fan of the odds, but I’m taking the Bruins in this one.
Play: Bruins 1.61 (SportsInteraction.com)
Anaheim Ducks @ LA Kings
I’ve been saying it all along. The Kings are a very streaky team and right now they are on a 3 game losing streak. I personally think whichever team wins tonight will win the series and my money right now has to be on the Ducks to keep the Kings losing streak alive. Look at the playoffs for the Kings. They lose 3, then win 6, then lose 3 again. If you look at their regular season you will also see ridiculous streaks. Until a streak is broken I’m saying it continues when the Kings are involved. For this reason I’m on the Ducks tonight to finish off the series and set up an interesting battle against the Blackhawks for the Western Conference Championship.
Play: Ducks 2.27 (5Dimes.eu)
Last night the Canadiens played a much better game than I anticipated. They really controlled the game and were able to capitalize on their chances to force a game 7 by beating the Bruins 4-0. We are in for a treat on Wednesday when this wild series plays its final game. In the other action the Ducks won like I predicted, and took control of their series with the Kings.
2014 NHL Playoff Record: 17-13 for +2.97 units.
New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh Penguins
The Rangers have all of the momentum in this series. They were down 3-1 and a couple big emotional wins have earned them this winner take all game 7 opportunity in Pittsburgh. Lundqvist has a better game 7 record in his career than Marc-Andre Fleury which could play a factor. Lundqvist is 4-1 having won his last 4 game 7’s. Fleury is just 2-2 with his 2 game 7 victories coming when the Penguins won the Stanley Cup in ’09. I think from top to bottom the Rangers have the more clutch performers. Crosby hasn’t had a good series and really hasn’t performed that well in the playoffs in the past few seasons. The Pens will have to look to Crosby, Malkin and company to step up in this big game but I’m not sure it will happen. I think the Rangers will turn their winning streak into 3 and advance to the Conference Finals tonight.
Play: Rangers 2.42 (5Dimes)
Chicago Blackhawks @ Minnesota Wild
The Blackhawks will try to get their first win in Minnesota tonight. I do like the Blackhawks to find a way to win on the road in this game and avoid having to play a game 7 for all the marbles back in Chicago. Toews and Kane have been great this playoffs and Hossa & Sharp seem to be waking up at the right time as well. I think the Blackhawks will be able to get at least a few by Bryzgalov tonight and that should be enough to win the game.
Play: Blackhawks 1.82 (5Dimes)
There’s a couple big games taking place tonight with the Bruins looking to close out the Habs in Montreal and the Kings and Ducks each looking to take control of their series.
2014 NHL Playoff Record: 16-12 for +3.17 units.
Boston Bruins @ Montreal Canadiens
I said it after game 3 and I still believe it. The Bruins will win this game and complete their 3 game win streak to eliminate the Canadiens from the playoffs. The Bruins seem to have found a way to shut down the Habs offensively and they are putting the puck past Carey Price just enough to get the wins. It will be a hard fought game at the Bell Centre tonight, but I do think this will be the last game of this series. The Bruins are still the best team in the East by a significant margin in my opinion.
Play: Bruins 1.83 (5Dimes)
LA Kings @ Anaheim Ducks
Like I’ve said before, the Kings are a streaky team and I was going to keep taking them to win until they lost a game. Well that has now happened twice so I’m going to be taking the Ducks to continue to find a way to get W’s tonight. This will be the first time in the series that a home team wins a game. Gibson is getting the nod again for the Ducks and he will look to build on his shutout performance in game 4. Gibson has had a lot of success in his limited playing time in the NHL so far in his career and continuing to get playoff wins will only up his stock moving forward. The Ducks should control this game and if the bounces go their way they will get the win.
Play: Ducks 1.80 (5Dimes)
That Bruins vs Habs game last night was intense. Not many scoring chances, but you have to love a 0-0 game where any goal could be the winner. In the end the Bruins got me the win with a bit of a strange goal shortly into OT. In the other game the Ducks finally figured out Jonathan Quick and won the game 3-2. That series could pick up now that the Ducks are on the board.
2014 NHL Playoff Record: 15-11 for +2.52 units.
Chicago Blackhawks @ Minnesota Wild
I’m expecting a bounce back game from the Blackhawks in this one. They were kept off the board in game 3, but I don’t see Bryzgalov getting back to back shutouts against an offense as potent as the Blackhawks. I did take the Wild in that game 3 scenario, but I like the Blackhawks to realize how important this game is and find a way to win. I like the Blackhawks to win this series in 5 games actually. The ‘Hawks need to focus on shutting down Parise in front of their net and from there the Wild’s offense could falter.
Play: Blackhawks 1.79 (5Dimes)
New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh Penguins
This is a tough one for me. I think the Pens could close out the series at home tonight, but I also give a lot of credit to the Rangers when their backs are against the wall. They were a good road team all season and have decent on the road in the playoffs as well. They have been struggling to score throughout the playoffs and need their top guns like St. Louis and Nash to find that next level. I don’t think the Rangers will come back to win this series, but I could see them pulling off a win tonight and the odds make it the smart play in my opinion.
Play: Rangers 2.65 (Sports Interaction)
