I went 2 for 3 last night, with both the Red Wings and Kings coming from behind to help us finish the night up a unit. The Caps and Rangers were in a hard fought battle, but each time the Caps scored to tie the game it seemed like the Rangers were back up by one within a few minutes. I’m almost back to breaking even for the playoffs for the picks I’ve posted here and will look to get into the black tonight.
Regular Season Record: 68-59 for +11.33 units.
Playoff Record: 5-6 for -0.72 units.
Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Islanders
The Penguins have this veil of invincibility about them that has been created by the hype train surrounding their all star forwards. The fact still remains that this Penguins team does have holes in the back end and a shaky goaltender in net. The Islanders have the firepower to keep up with the Penguins on the scoreboard and they have shown this in the past two games. They actually outshot the Pens 36-25 last game and if Nabokov has a better game they win that one. I like them tonight as big dogs to tie this series up and make it interesting.
Play: Islanders +150 (SportsInteraction.com)
Vancouver Canucks @ San Jose Sharks
The Canucks have resorted to whining, which they have done all series long. You have to love when a team of whiners loses. I agree with Bieksa that if either of the Sedin’s ever go down everyone in the hockey world automatically jumps on them and calls them babies, etc. But the truth is the Sedin’s aren’t the ones whining now and they never are. It’s Bieksa, Kesler, Burrows and company that make the Canucks so easy to hate. Once a team starts grasping at straws and bringing up the integrity of their opponents you know they are done. They have already basically accepted defeat and are now making excuses for their losses rather than looking ahead to the next game to try to get back into this series. Take the Sharks to close them out tonight on home ice.
Play: Sharks -155 (5Dimes.eu)
I was away for the weekend so I wasn’t able to get my picks up for the past two days, which is unfortunate because I hit some more winners. That said I’m not adding those to my record for this site because you guys have to be able to verify my picks in order for the record to continue to be legit. I went 1 for 2 on Friday, but I’m looking to get back into the positive for playoff betting with some big wins tonight.
Regular Season Record: 68-59 for +11.33 units.
Playoff Record: 3-5 for -1.72 units.
Washington Capitals @ New York Rangers
The Capitals have looked very good through the first two games and earned a big 1-0 win in overtime of game 2. A win at Madison Square Garden would give the Caps a strangehold of this series. The Capitals were decent on the road this season with a .500 record, while the Rangers were quite good at home winning 2/3’s of their games. That said Holtby doesn’t look like he is going to be beaten any time soon and Ovechkin and company have come to play this series. The Rangers can’t get anything going offensively and I like the Caps as dogs in this one.
Play: Capitals +133 (5Dimes.eu)
Anaheim Ducks @ Detroit Red Wings
I expect a big bounce back game from the Red Wings tonight after they were somewhat embarrassed by the Ducks on Saturday night. The Red Wings will miss Abdelkader who is out for 2 games, but Datsyuk and Zetterberg should be able to dig into their bag of tricks to find some offense for the team. I just don’t see the Red Wings losing both games at the Joe.
Play: Red Wings -125 (SportsInteraction.com)
St. Louis Blues @ Los Angeles Kings
The Blues and Kings series has been extremely tight so it is very hard to pick a winner in this one. That said the Kings have been here before and I have more faith in Quick than I do in Elliot. Either team could easily have won each game in this series and it is only right that it will be tied 2-2 after 4.
Play: Kings -140 (5Dimes.eu)
Last night went exactly to plan with the Ottawa Senators and Washington Capitals each winning their opening games. The Senators game was pretty crazy and all anyone was talking about afterwards was the Gryba hit on Lars Eller and whether it was suspendable. Most agree that it was a clean hit, so I don’t know why nobody is talking about the match penalty call on the ice that almost cost the Senators the game. Anyways, we got the two wins and are back on track in these playoffs.
Regular Season Record: 68-59 for +11.33 units.
Playoff Record: 2-4 for -1.97 units.
Ottawa Senators @ Montreal Canadiens
The Sens and Habs are right back at it tonight with back to back games to start the series. There will already be bad blood between these two sides after the Gryba and Eller incident and I expect Gryba to be back in the lineup tonight as there is no way that was a suspendable hit. Craig Anderson did have to see 50 shots last night so it will be interesting to see if he will be tired heading into this one, but lets be honest….it’s the playoffs, he’ll be ready to go. Price is the real question mark as he let a few weak ones in yesterday, although he did also make some big saves. I like the Senators more and more as this series wears on because they were the more physical team last night and that could play into their hands tonight as well as in the future. As dogs again I like the Sens.
Play: Senators +130 (SportsInteraction.com)
San Jose Sharks @ Vancouver Canucks
The Sharks could be without forward Martin Havlat tonight and that could cause some problems. That said they outplayed the Canucks last game and Niemi played some great hockey. I look for more of the same tonight and expect the Sharks to find a way to win again on the road, which could spell the end for the Canucks. Vancouver has to find a way to generate offense, but the Sharks are one of the best defensive teams in the league and they will smother the Sedins. The Canucks just don’t have the secondary scoring that they used to and that could hurt them in this one.
Play: Sharks +125 (5Dimes.eu)
Went 0-2 again last night and I was completely off on the Bruins vs Leafs game 1. The Bruins looked like they have already shaken the rust off from the end of the season and the Leafs looked like they haven’t been in a playoff game in a decade. Tonight there are 4 games on tap, which will make it even more interesting.
Regular Season Record: 68-59 for +11.33 units.
Playoff Record: 0-4 for -4.37 units.
Ottawa Senators @ Montreal Canadiens
The Senators have been in Montreal for a couple days getting accustomed to the intensity of the city and the atmosphere that they will be expected to perform in tonight. They have had a solid break from their last game, which was on Sunday and the Canadiens have had to wait even longer (5 days) to start their playoff series. I just think on paper this series could go either way and I don’t expect home ice advantage to be a huge issue in this series. I like the Sens tonight because they have been playing well of late and they are significant dogs in this game.
Play: Senators +140 (5Dimes.eu)
New York Rangers @ Washington Capitals
The Rangers and Capitals series is one I expect home ice may be more meaningful. Both teams have a big line that the opposition will surely try to match up against, which will result in the home team having the advantage in that department. Remember that in their series last year the home team won 5 of the 7 games. The Caps have also been on a tear of late and I don’t expect them to slow down now. As long as Ovechkin can play within himself and remember that it’s a team game I like the Caps tonight.
Play: Capitals -122 (5Dimes.eu)
Last nights games couldn’t really be any closer, but in the end both of my first playoff bets lost and probably rightfully so based on how well each team played. There are another 3 series getting underway tonight and it will be tough for them to match the drama of last night.
Regular Season Record: 68-59 for +11.33 units.
Playoff Record: 0-2 for -2 units.
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Boston Bruins
The Bruins finished out the season about as bad as any team in the league. They only won 2 of their last 9 games and these W’s came against Florida and Tampa Bay, the two worst teams in the Eastern Conference. It’s not like a team can just turn a switch and be a Cup Contender. I do expect the Bruins to find a way to win this series, but I think a loss in the first game will be a big wake up call that they have to get back to basics and play like they can. The Maple Leafs have battled hard against the Bruins this year and in their last two games (back to back at the end of March) the Leafs actually have a win and a shootout loss. The Maple Leafs were a strong road team this season and they will know they have to jump on the Bruins before they can get back to form.
Play: Maple Leafs +165 (5Dimes.eu)
San Jose Sharks @ Vancouver Canucks
I think this is the type of series where a road win could be the difference. This is why I’m surprised the Canucks are only slight favourites at home tonight. Vancouver and San Jose both finished the season with a couple of losses, but before that each team was playing very well. San Jose though has never been able to get rolling on the road, with only 8 wins out of 24 on the road this season. They’ve also won only 4 of their last 14 road games so it’s not like this is something they have dealt with of late.
Like I said before a road win could be the difference in this series and I expect the Sharks to get one at some point, but I doubt it will be tonight.
Play: Canucks -137 (5Dimes.eu)
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are here! There are three games on tap tonight, with each being the very important first game of the series. All the opening series tonight are in the Western Conference and I’m looking to open up the Playoffs strong.
You can also check out my series predictions here.
Regular Season Record: 68-59 for +11.33 units.
Los Angeles Kings @ St. Louis Blues
The Kings were 3-0 against the Blues this season and dominated the Blues in the playoffs last year. I expect things to start right where they left off. LA does not have a strong road record this year, but they proved last year during the playoffs they could win games on the road after having a losing road record on the season. They have lost their last 6 road games and only scored 9 goals in these games, and it’s true that Brian Elliot could give the Kings fits, but I think LA has one of the strongest teams in the West and will come through when it matters. They should have enough scoring up front to get going just like they did a year ago. As small dogs in this one I like the Kings.
Play: Kings +108 (5Dimes.eu)
Detroit Red Wings @ Anaheim Ducks
The Red Wings won their final four games of the regular season in order to make the playoffs. Now they are up against a Ducks team that has looked quite average in the second half of the season. It’s also true that Anaheim has not been as dominant at home of late, losing their last 3 games. They still boast a 16-7-1 record at home this season, but they have lost 7 of their last 10 there. I expect Detroit to tire out at some point, but they should be ready to go in the first game of the playoffs and Datsyuk, Zetterberg and company will be able to get on the board first in this one.
Play: Red Wings +125 (5Dimes.eu)
I’m going to stay away from the Blackhawks vs Wild game because I do like the Blackhawks, but they are just too big of favourites in the first game of a playoff series.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to get underway on Tuesday. This means you still have a day to get in your series winner bets before they get underway. Below I have given each of my 8 picks, with 1 to 3 stars attached to each one. I’ve also included the sportsbook where you can currently get the best odds, but these will change so I suggest checking the bookies for yourself.
Eastern Conference
(1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (8) New York Islanders
The Penguins are simply too good. They might not get Crosby back for this entire series, but it shouldn’t matter. The Islanders are inexperienced when it comes to the playoffs and they will likely be overwhelmed by the Pens. I like the odds for the Penguins in this one.
**Play: Penguins -333 (888Sport.com)
(2) Montreal Canadiens vs (7) Ottawa Senators
The Habs and Sens will play a playoff series for the first time since the Senators joined the league again in the early 1990’s. The Habs had some trouble down the stretch, but they finished the season off strong with 2 big road wins over the Jets and Maple Leafs. The Habs have to hope that they can keep this momentum going against a Senators team that seems to be playing fairly well and just got their best player back from injury in Karlsson. I think this series will be a battle that could really go either way, but I don’t give the Habs any edge whatsover. For that reason I like the Senators as underdogs in this one.
**Play: Senators +150 (888Sport.com)
(3) Washington Capitals vs (6) New York Rangers
The Caps were a ridiculous 11-1-1 in their last 13 games with their only 2 losses in that span coming against the Ottawa Senators. They are firing on all cylinders, but they come up against a Rangers team that has all the potential in the world. The Rangers added Nash and were the favourites to win the Cup before the season began, but they qualified for the playoffs in 6th position. I see this series also going either way and would probably stay away from it, but I’m leaning towards the Rangers based on the odds.
*Play: Rangers +102 (PinnacleSports.com)
(4) Boston Bruins vs (5) Toronto Maple Leafs
The Bruins didn’t finish the season very strong and this dropped them down to 4th position in the Eastern Conference and a first round matchup with the Maple Leafs. They might be feeling ok about finishing the season with only 2 wins in their last 9 games though as Toronto is likely an easier out than their other potential opponents would have been. The Bruins are the superior team in this series, but these could be very tight games. That said the Bruins should be able to use their playoff experience to come out on the right side of these and eventually win the series.
***Play: Boston Bruins -200 (888Sport.com)
Western Conference
(1) Chicago Blackhawks vs (8) Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild were able to get a win on Saturday and hold on to the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, albeit just barely. Being in 8th though has them up against the Chicago Blackhawks who have looked unstoppable at points this season on their way to the Presidents Trophy for the best regular season record. The Blackhawks have too much firepower this year and their goaltending problems seem to be solved. I like the Blackhawks to win this series handily.
***Play: Blackhawks -300 (888Sport.com)
(2) Anaheim Ducks vs (7) Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings had to win 4 straight games to make the playoffs and they did just that. Now they will look to continue to get wins and avoid a let down when they take on the Ducks. Anaheim was dominant early in the season, but they did slow down of late and have actually been about a .500 team for the second half of this shortened season. I like the Red Wings in this one because I simply don’t believe in the Ducks this year.
**Play: Red Wings +130 (SportsInteraction.com)
(3) Vancouver Canucks vs (6) San Jose Sharks
The Sharks and Canucks are both peaking at the right time and the winner of this series could do some serious damage in the Western Conference. I think the Sharks made some great moves at the deadline just getting rid of some of their slower players in Douglas Murray, Clowe and Handzus. The Sharks are a strong defensive team, but they do have forwards that can score with the likes of the Sedins (Thornton, Marleau, Pavelski, Couture and Havlat for example). I think the Sharks will be eager to show that they can dominate a playoff series against the Canucks, who beat them in the Conference Finals 2 years ago.
*Play: Sharks +123 (PinnacleSports.com)
(4) Los Angeles Kings vs (5) St Louis Blues
The Kings are the defending champs and they seem to have the Blues number over this season and the last. I expect this to continue into the playoffs and the Kings will become the road warriors that earned them Stanleys Cup last year. They just have slightly better pieces at the important positions and I think this will be the difference.
***Play: Kings -105 (PinnacleSports.com)
Last night I broke even after the Leafs weren’t able to get a win, but the desparate Red Wings found a way to beat a hot Jonathan Quick and the Kings.
Season Record To Date: 65-58 for +9.11 units.
Ottawa Senators @ Washington Capitals
The Senators have yet to clinch a playoff berth, something the Washington Capitals did a couple days ago with their win over the Jets. A win tonight will put the Sens in the playoffs for the second year in a row and the inclusion of Erik Karlsson on the road trip could give some extra life to the team as well. After a team clinches they sometimes let their foot of the gas for a second, which could be the case tonight for the Caps. Also, the Sens showed they can beat a hot Capitals team when they beat them about a week ago in Ottawa.
Play: Senators +115 (SportsInteraction.com)
New York Islanders @ Philadelphia Flyers
The Islanders also clinched in a shootout loss a couple days ago in Carolina. The Islanders haven’t made the playoffs in many years and they may feel like the job is done now until the playoffs begin. The Flyers have also been playing some solid hockey of late so I like them to take it in this pick’em game.
Play: Flyers -105 (5Dimes.eu)
Montreal Canadiens @ Winnipeg Jets
The Habs have lost 5 of their last 6 and have given up 28 goals in that span. They are not looking great heading into the playoffs. The Jets are in an absolute must win game or they will be eliminated from the playoffs. Even though they will need quite a bit of help I expect them to get their end of the bargain done with a win over the struggling Habs tonight.
Play: Jets -108 (5Dimes.eu)
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Dallas Stars
These two teams still have belief they can make the playoffs. The Stars play both the Blue Jackets and Red Wings so they have to feel like they some control over their destiny. On the other side of things the Blue Jackets have to feel they have to win out to have a shot at the playoffs. The Blue Jackets have been playing some really solid hockey of late and I think their will to win will be enough to get them the W and keep their playoff hopes alive tonight.
Play: Blue Jackets +115 (5Dimes.eu)
I was at the Senators game on Monday and although I was cheering for the home team I had placed a wager on the Penguins because I saw the value in them continuing to win. They did just that, and the Jets also won, which led to another 2-0 night at the end of this regular season.
Season Record To Date: 64-57 for +9.11 units.
Tonight there are only 4 games on tap, but I see value in 2 of them.
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Tampa Bay Lightning
The Maple Leafs qualified for the playoffs with a win over the Senators on Saturday and now they head down south for a couple road games before finishing up the season at home against the Habs. The Leafs have been playing alright hockey and I don’t expect them to let up tonight against the Lightning. Toronto surely wants to keep their 5th place seeding heading into the playoffs to face off against a Habs team they have had much success against this season. Tamp on the other hand has nothing to play for, they’ve lost 6 games in a row and just look bad all in all.
Play: Maple Leafs +100 (5Dimes.eu)
Los Angeles Kings @ Detroit Red Wings
The Kings played last night and lost a hard fought battle with the Wild in Minnesota. They won’t get a break as they head to Detroit to face a team that is trying to make the playoffs. The Red Wings won their last game 4-0 over the Coyotes, but they need to win at least 2 of their remaining three to make the playoffs. I expect Detroit’s veterans to dig deep and come out with a big game, but this effort to make the playoffs could have them drained when the first round finally starts. Either way I like the Red Wings tonight.
Play: Red Wings -130 (5Dimes.eu)
I took last night off after having a 1-1 night on Saturday. The playoff races are really starting to heat up now with teams unable to gain much ground in the Eastern Conference and a few teams still battling for that 8th spot in the West. There are plenty of games tonight and some with some big time playoff implications. I’m going to keep my hot streak alive with 2 solid picks.
Season Record To Date: 62-57 for +7.11 units.
Winnipeg Jets @ Buffalo Sabres
The Jets lost 1 point at home to the streaking Islanders on Saturday, but that late goal by Bryan Little to force OT really kept their playoff hopes alive. The Jets are 3 points behind both the Rangers, Capitals and Senators for a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They are 5-0-1 in their last 6 games, but the 5 game losing streak before that really put them in a tough position and these other teams haven’t allowed them to gain much back. They basically have to win out to make the playoffs and I expect them to at least get the job done tonight in Buffalo.
Play: Jets -113 (5Dimes.eu)
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Ottawa Senators
The way the Eastern Conference is shaping up this could very well be a first round matchup so I see the Penguins being very motivated in this game. Even without their stars the Pens are a force and should be the favourites tonight. On top of this the Sens have been a very streaky team this year so it will be interesting to see how they bounce back after their 3-1 loss to rivals Toronto at the Scotibank Place on Saturday.
Play: Penguins -111 (5Dimes.eu)
