The Rangers were able to shutdown the Devils offensively last night and found a way to get a couple past Martin Brodeur to take game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. I was on the Devils last night so that loss brings my NHL Playoffs record to (24-25) for +1.12 units.
LA Kings @ Phoenix Coyotes
The Kings are once again in Phoenix to play the Coyotes and I expect very similar action and a similar resulting outcome to game 1. The Kings dominated the Coyotes in that game, outshooting Phoenix 48-27. The Coyotes defense made a few mistakes that cost them goals, but when you are allowing almost 50 shots on net you should expect at least 3 of them to beat your goaltender. The Derek Morris goal was also a complete fluke and I don’t expect Quick to let anymore of those past him this series. The Kings are simply too good for the Coyotes right now. I know I’ve said that about every team the Coyotes have faced this playoffs and I stand by those statement, but the Kings are on another level at the moment, playing some of the best hockey we have seen from any team this season. I like the Kings to win a lower scoring game tonight, something like 2-0 or 3-1. When the Coyotes go down 2-0 in this series they will be in tough to win a game, let alone win the series.
Play: Kings -125 (5Dimes.com)
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Written by: Niko de Jonge
The Rangers were able to use their home ice advantage to win another 7 game series and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday night. Now just two days later they are already beginning the series against the New Jersey Devils, who had a much longer rest after dismissing the Flyers in 5 games. I was on the Capitals in game 7 so my NHL Playoffs record now sits at (24-24) for +2.12 units.
New Jersey Devils @ New York Rangers
The Devils are only slight underdogs heading into this game likely because they are well rested following the Flyers series, they looked very good in that series and they were a solid road team throughout the season (24-15-2). I like the Devils for each of these reasons, but also because the Rangers were pushed to the bring again in their second round series. They did bounce back nicely and win game 1 against the Capitals in round 2, but the way the Devils have been playing (4 game winning streak) I don’t think the Rangers can match their confidence right now. Lundqvist is the wild card for me because I do not expect him to miss a beat, while you never truly know what you are going to get out of Martin Brodeur in the Devils net. That being said I still like the Devils and feel that Kovalchuk, Parise and Elias will be able to find the back of the net enough to win this game and take an early lead in this series.
Play: Devils +115 (5Dimes.com)
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Written by: Niko de Jonge
The Capitals did as I predicted and forced a game 7 on Wednesday night in Washington. Tonight the two teams will battle it out in a winner advance, loser go home, game 7 for the right to take on the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Finals. With the Wednesday win my NHL Playoffs record now sits at (24-23) for +3.12 units.
Washington Capitals @ New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are the small favorites in this game at -135 and rightfully so after being the best team in the East throughout the regular season, combined with the Capitals (16-21-4) road record in the regular season. That being said both teams are currently 2-0 in elimination games in the post season with the Rangers staving off elimination twice against the Ottawa Senators and the Caps winning game 7 over the Bruins and then following that up with Wednesday nights win with their backs against the wall. The Capitals have been playing solid hockey in this series and I believe a lot has to do with limiting Ovechkin’s ice time. When he has played between 13 and 16 minutes the Caps are 3-0 and Ovechkin is actually still putting up goals with that limited ice time. However, when Ovechkin has played 19+ minutes the Caps are 0-3. Of course Ovechkin will get more ice time in a game the Caps are losing than he will when they are protecting the lead, but it is an interesting statistic nonetheless. The Caps have already shown they have the ability to win a game 7 on the road against a top team, so I think their rough road record throughout the season is out the window for this game. I think the game could really go either way and for that reason I like the Caps as underdogs.
Play: Capitals +127 (BetOnline.ag)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
The Devils pulled out the game 5 victory in Philadelphia last night to defeat the Flyers in 5 games and book their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals. It’s a little bit interesting to note that Ilya Bryzgalov did not have a very good playoffs and the team where he was supposed to be the “franchise” goaltender and best player on the team has advanced to the Western Conference Finals in the first year without him. The Devils will now face the winner of the Capitals vs Rangers series, with game 6 in that series taking place tonight in Washington. I took the Devils last night and that win has brought my NHL Playoffs record to (23-23) for +2.12 units.
New York Rangers @ Washington Capitals
The Rangers and Caps have played a very tight checking series with neither team willing to give up an inch. The Rangers were able to fight back in game 5 and if it wasn’t for a late Brad Richards goal the Capitals would be the team 1 win away from advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals. But as it stands the Rangers are 1 win away from taking on the Devils in the Conference Finals, but eliminating the Capitals in Washington will be tall task. The last four games in this series have been decided by 1 goal and I expect nothing different tonight. I have to give the small edge to the Capitals because their backs are up against the wall and they were a very strong home team throughout the season (26-11-4). I do think that Hunter should limit Ovechkin’s playing time tomorrow though because he will likely try to do too much, which could result in the Rangers counter attack finding some room. In the two games the Capitals won in this series Ovechkin’s playing time has been limited (between 13 and 16 minutes), while in each of their 3 losses he has played much more (19+ minutes). This may be a coincidence or it may be further evidence that Ovechkin can only help the team in small doses and the role players need to be on the ice doing what they do best.
Another little trend to look at is that the Caps have won every other game in this series so it’s their turn for a win tonight.
Play: Capitals -105 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
Last night the Coyotes pulled off a big upset of the Predators to advance to the Conference Finals in the Western Conference. The Coyotes were the least likely team to advance to the Conference Finals in the West, followed by the LA Kings, but both teams are sitting there with an opportunity to battle for a Stanley Cup appearance. The Flyers chance to battle for a Cup spot are on the line tonight as they head back home to host the Devils in game 5 of the Eastern Conference second round series. The Devils are up 3-1 and have the momentum in this series after winning the last 3 games. My NHL playoff record sits at (22-23) for +0.97 units.
New Jersey Devils @ Philadelphia Flyers
As I’m sure you have all heard Claude Giroux will not be in the lineup for the Flyers tonight because he has been suspended 1 game for his hit on Dainus Zubrus. I was shocked when I heard Giroux was suspended, especially after other stars (Weber and Ovechkin) got away with what I feel were much worse acts on the ice. The loss of Giroux will likely result in the end of the Flyers season because he is the player they look to for generating offense and was in on both goals in game 4 of the series. Danny Briere will have to continue to put the puck in the net and other players such as Jagr, Hartnell, Simmonds, Schenn, etc will have to step up in G’s absence. The Flyers were not exceptional at home this season, with the Devils road record actually being better than the Flyers home record. The Devils have the momentum and the Flyers are without Giroux, which leads me to believe this series won’t get past 5 games.
Play: Devils +115 (SportsInteraction.com)
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Written by: Niko de Jonge
There are two game 4’s set to take place today. The Kings could sweep the Blues with a win, while the Devils could take a commanding 3-1 lead over the Flyers with a win at home this afternoon. The Preds couldn’t score a goal in a 1-0 loss to the Coyotes on Thursday, so keeping Radulov and Kostitsyn out of the lineup was not a good idea. That loss cost me 1.58 units, so my NHL playoff record now sits at (22-21) for +3 units.
St. Louis Blues @ Los Angeles Kings
The Blues have been outplayed in this series, which is the reason they are on the brink of elimination. The Kings had the Canucks in a similar situation in their round 1 series, but were unable to sweep the ‘Nucks at home in game 4. I expect a similar result tonight with the Blues playing a very desperate brand of hockey that should match the Kings intensity, which has been one area the Kings have outplayed the Blues this round. This should be another tight game, but I think the Kings will once again lose one game before winning the series in 5.
Play: Blues +118 (BetOnline.ag)
Philadelphia Flyers @ New Jersey Devils
The Flyers have decided to shuffle lines moving Giroux, Hartnell and Jagr all to different lines in practice. When you look at the Flyers top 9 though you realize just how deep their forward crop is. The Devils have been playing a solid brand of hockey, but I expect the Flyers skill to shine through eventually. I expect Giroux to bounce back after going two games without a point. Look for the Flyers to find a way to break down the Devils defense and don’t be surprised if the Giroux-Jagr-Hartnell line isn’t reunited before the end of the game if things aren’t going the Flyers way.
Play: Flyers -103 (BetOnline.ag)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
The Kings won again to take the 3-0 strange hold on that series that I predicted. The team has been playing so well that they haven’t had to face any adversity yet in these playoffs. In the other game the Flyers and Devils had another tight game with the Devils pulling out the win in overtime, so I went 1 and 1 last night. That brings my NHL playoff record to (23-21) for +4.58 units.
Phoenix Coyotes @ Nashville Predators
The Predators stepped up their defensive play at home in game 3 and pulled out a 2-0 victory with Pekka Rinne getting back to his Vezina nomination form with the shutout. I expect more of the same in game 4 with the Preds outclassing the Coyotes and pulling even in this series. Preds coach, Barry Trotz, said that he will find it very tough to put Radulov and Kostitsyn back in the lineup after the game 3 victory, but I don’t expect that decision to have much affect on the game. If they are put back in they will work their hardest to show that it wasn’t a poor decision and if Tootoo and Halischuk stay in the lineup you can be sure that they will do their jobs.
Play: Predators -158 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
Last night the Predators pulled out a solid victory with Pekka Rinne having the bounce back game that I anticipated in the shutout. The Rangers were also able to close out a tight 3OT game against the Capitals with Marian Gaborik being the hero on the door step off a nice pass from Brad Richards. Those two wins bring my NHL playoff record to (22-20) for +4.58 units. There are two more games tonight and I have plays on both of them.
Philadelphia Flyers @ New Jersey Devils
The Devils really took it to the Flyers in the third period of game 2 and I expect the Flyers to respond tonight. Philadelphia was better on the road than at home throughout the season and they don’t have far to travel to play in New Jersey against their division rivals tonight. New Jersey was also a better road team so I don’t anticipate much of a home rink advantage in this one. I just don’t believe in Martin Brodeur and think the offensive players on the Flyers will be able to get quite a few past him tonight for a win.
Play: Flyers +101 (BetOnline.ag)
St. Louis Blues @ Los Angeles Kings
The Blues looked good in the 2nd and 3rd against the Kings, but it wasn’t enough to come back from an awful 1st period in game 2. This is close to a do or die game for the Blues, but the Kings could take a strange hold on a second series this post season. The Kings have come together at the right time and are 6-1 in the playoffs thus far. The Blues had a very poor record on the road in the season (compared to their home record), but now they must win at least 2 road games to win this series. I think the Blues will show resilience, but the Kings have impressed me too much and I expect them to take that strangle hold on this series tonight.
Play: Kings -115 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
The Devils came on strong in the third period last night to take it to the Flyers and even the series at one a piece. That loss brings my NHL playoff prediction record to (20-20) for +2.58 units. Tonight there are two big game 3’s with the Rangers and Capitals attempting to gain an edge and the Predators trying to avoid the brink of elimination against the Coyotes.
New York Rangers @ Washington Capitals
I still feel the Rangers are a better all around team than the Washington Capitals. I like Dale Hunter’s coaching style of playing Ovechkin limited minutes because I think over playing him in past playoffs caused the Capitals demise as he tried to do too much. Lundqvist didn’t have his best showing in game 2 and I expect that to be corrected tonight. I like this series to go the distance, but in tonight’s game I see a bounce back from the Rangers who have been strong on the road all playoffs.
Play: Rangers -105 (5Dimes.com)
Phoenix Coyotes @ Nashville Predators
The main headline entering this game is how the Predators will fare in a huge game after suspending two strong offensive players Alex Radulov and Andrei Kostistyn. I think they will do just fine and this could even be a rallying point for the team. The Preds had neither of these players on the squad prior to the trade deadline this season so they understand how to play and how to win without either of these players. I also expect a bounce back game from Pekka Rinne who hasn’t looked himself so far in this series.
Play: Predators -150 (SportsInteraction.com)
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Written by: Niko de Jonge
I took a few days vacation after the first round and missed putting up my series predictions for round 2. For those of you who followed you will have noticed that I went (2-3) for -1.30 units in my round 1 series predictions to go along with my (18-16) for +5.30 units playoff games predictions which brings my NHL Playoff total to (20-19) for +4.00 units. Tonight there is just one game in the NHL, but most people would consider it the most exciting series of round 2.
New Jersey Devils @ Philadelphia Flyers
I like the Flyers to go up 2-0 in this series with a more convincing win this time around. The Flyers looked like the better team for most of game 1 and eventually took it down in overtime. I like the Flyers in every aspect of the game except for team defense, but Bryzgalov should gain some confidence from another win and he has been great against the Devils all season. Kovalchuk was held shot less by the Flyers last game and if they can continue to shut down the Devils biggest sniper the Flyers should make short work of this series.
Play: Flyers -142 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
