Last nights game between the Bruins and Capitals was a nail biter that could have gone either way just like I predicted. Luckily the Capitals were able to rise to the occasion in overtime to win my big underdog bet. My NHL Playoff record now sits at (17-15) for +5.30 units. Tonight there are two more big game 7’s taking place with each team knowing what is on the line.
Ottawa Senators @ New York Rangers
The Ottawa Senators are 0-4 in game 7’s in their 20 year history, but this is a different Senators team than in the past. This group has come together and proved everyone wrong throughout the season to be in the position they are today. The team is 4-1 in New York this year and the away team has won 4 of the 6 games in this series. The Senators are a resilient bunch with a lot of heart and I expect them to find a way to win tonight.
Play: Senators +142 (www.5Dimes.com)
New Jersey Devils @ Florida Panthers
The Devils dominated the Panthers in game 6 but had to wait until overtime to win the game. Jose Theodore is expected to get the start in goal for the Panthers, but whoever is in net will likely have to steal this game. Brodeur hasn’t been at his best, but I expect him to rise to the occasion in this game 7 and get these Devils past this sub par Panthers team and into the second round.
Play: Devils -110 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
It’s a huge game 7 tonight between the Boston Bruins and the Washington Capitals. This is the first of three Eastern Conference game 7’s with the other 2 set to take place tomorrow. New Jersey forced a game 7 last night as I predicted they would. It took them to overtime to do so, but they did pepper Florida with shots outshooting the Panthers 42-16 over the course of the game. My NHL Playoff record now sits at (16-14) for +3.60 units.
Washington Capitals @ Boston Bruins
This series has been much closer than many anticipated with the Capitals playing a very patient game and actually limiting the ice time of their star, Alex Ovechkin, which has seemed to pay dividends in forcing this game 7. I think the Bruins are still the better team, but looking at the 6 games in this series every single game was decided by 1 goal which shows how tight the series has been. I think Boston has the edge tonight, but the oddsmakers have them as huge favourites. I think the Caps line should be down more along the lines of +130 so the +170 line I found at 5Dimes.com was very appealing. The smart money is on the Capitals tonight even though they have slightly less than a 50% shot at taking this game in my opinion.
Play: Capitals +170 (5Dimes.com)
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Written by: Niko de Jonge
There is only one game in the NHL tonight with the New Jersey Devils playing for their lives at home against the Florida Panthers. Neither game last night went the way I envisioned. The Senators played another strong game, but a questionable call that put them on a long 5-on-3 really did them in at the end of the second period. The Blackhawks played a great game, but could not solve the mystery that is Mike Smith in these playoffs. Those two losses bring my 2012 NHL Playoff record to (15-14) for +2.60 units.
Florida Panthers @ New Jersey Devils
The Panthers have somehow managed to win 3 games in this series, but I do not expect them to be able to finish the Devils off in New Jersey. The Devils are the better team in nearly all aspects of the game, but the Panthers quick breakouts have made it difficult for the Devils to sustain a lot of pressure in this series. The key to a Devils victory tonight is getting to the Devils netminder early and often like they did in game 1 of this series. Martin Brodeur also needs another bounce back game and I expect him to come out with his A-game tonight. The Devils should push this series to a 7th and deciding game.
Play: Devils -155 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
I took yesterday off as the games were spread all over the day, but it was an exciting day of hockey with the Flyers and Kings advancing over the two Stanley Cup favourites and the Bruins forcing a game 7 against the Capitals. On Saturday my predictions went 2 for 4 and my NHL Playoffs predictions record now sits at (15-12) for +5.02 units.
New York Rangers @ Ottawa Senators
The Senators have found a way to shut down the Rangers offensively so far in this series and have earned the chance to win the first round at home in game 6. If Anderson can continue to play like he has and the team can continue to get some quality scoring chances against Henrik Lundqvist I like their chances in this one.
Play: Senators +105 (5Dimes.com)
Phoenix Coyotes @ Chicago Blackhawks
This series has been as close as humanly possible with 5 straight overtime games. The Blackhawks have been the better team throughout the series, but some untimely goaltending mistakes have cost them. I like the Blackhawks to dig deep and find a way to beat Mike Smith in this one enough to take the win. I’ll even go out on a limb and say this game won’t head to extra time.
Play: Blackhawks -142 (BetOnline.ag)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
Last night the Predators advanced while the Penguins held on to fight another day. Unfortunately that meant I lost both of my wagers last night, but the NHL Playoff record is still a respectable (13-10) for +4.42 units. Today/tonight there are 5 games on tap and I like the line in 4 of them.
New Jersey Devils @ Florida Panthers
The Devils are simply the better team in this series and I don’t expect Brodeur to slow down after setting the NHL playoff shutout record. The Devils will win this game more often than not so I like the -115 line on the Devils to win this game.
Play: Devils -115 (5Dimes.com)
Ottawa Senators @ New York Rangers
The Sens haven’t lead yet in a game in this series, but they are tied 2-2 thanks to their resilience. I have been following this series very closely and the Senators have been the better 5 on 5 team. I love the odds on the Senators tonight because I feel that any game in this series could go either way.
Play: Senators +160 (5Dimes.com)
San Jose Sharks @ St Louis Blues
The Blues have played very well in this series, but the Sharks have stayed with them 5 on 5. If the Sharks can stay out of the penalty box they have just as good a shot in this one as the Blues. I also am not sure if the Blues have the killer instinct to finish off a series against this experienced team.
Play: Sharks +168 (5Dimes.com)
Chicago Blackhawks @ Phoenix Coyotes
The Blackhawks have been the better team in this series and any game could have gone either way with the overtime games, but the Coyotes have come out with 3 victories. The Blackhawks are underdogs in this game and that makes them a very smart play in this game.
Play: Blackhawks +115 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
Last night was my first truly bad night of NHL Playoff betting with each of my three selections losing. This brings my 2012 NHL Playoff record to (13-8) for +6.42 units. There are only 2 games being played tonight, which makes this evening the slowest night in the NHL since the postseason began.
Philadelphia Flyers @ Pittsburgh Penguins
The Flyers got one heck of a wake up call in game 4 that this series is not nearly over. The Penguins destroyed the Flyers 10-3 and put fear into the hearts of Flyers fans everywhere. The Penguins are a team with a lot of heart and they will play with desperation until the final buzzer for the rest of this series. Philadelphia has another chance to eliminate the Pens tonight and I see them coming up much sharper in this game. Philly has been a solid road team all season (best road record in the NHL) and won both games in Pittsburgh in this series. At these odds the smart money is on the Flyers finding a way to eliminate the Cup favourites.
Play: Flyers +167 (5Dimes.com)
Detroit Red Wings @ Nashville Predators
The Red Wings are an experienced team that also has a lot of character. I like them to extend this series tonight in Nashville. Detroit has been the better team in terms of shots throughout the series (138-91). But the fact is that the team that has recorded the fewer shots has won each game of this playoffs, so perhaps the Red Wings need to pick their spots a little more instead of getting Pekka Rinne into the game so often in this one. I think the Red Wings will find a way to put some pucks past him tonight however and as long as Howard doesn’t play horribly the Wings should win this game.
Play: Red Wings +110 (5Dimes.com)
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Last night I was at the Sens game to witness the huge comeback win in person. The Senators have looked like the better 5 on 5 team in the series and I think people are starting to take notice. The Canucks and Penguins were also able to stave off elimination which gave me a 3 for 3 record last night. That brings my NHL Playoffs record to (13-5) for +10.22 units.
St Louis Blues @ San Jose Sharks
If the Sharks can stay out of the penalty box they have shown they can play with the Blues 5 on 5 and they have the more talented 5-on-5 forwards who are capable of scoring without the powerplay. I expect the Sharks to pick up where they left off at the end of game 3 and get to Elliott early in this one, which will lead them to victory.
Play: Sharks +100 (BetOnline.com)
Boston Bruins @ Washington Capitals
The Bruins are simply a much better all around team than the Caps. Game 3 finally saw some rough stuff in this series and I think this will play right into the hands of the big bad Bruins. I expect another rough game with the Bruins coming out on top.
Play: Bruins -130 (5Dimes.com)
Chicago Blackhawks @ Phoenix Coyotes
The Blackhawks will be without star Marian Hossa in this one, and the Coyotes will be without Torres who has been suspended indefinitely until his hearing tomorrow determines the number of games he will be out for his vicious hit on Hossa. The Blackhawks other star forwards need to step up and put some pucks past Mike Smith in order to win this game. I still see the Blackhawks as the better all around team and I would be very surprised to see them go down 3 games to 1 in this series.
Play: Blackhawks -150 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
Last night I went 1 for 3 again, but the Preds were pretty big dogs so it kept my night respectable. The Blackhawks game went to overtime for the 3rd straight time and Crawford let in a week goal reminiscent of the Kane Stanley Cup winner two years ago. My record for the playoffs now is
New York Rangers @ Ottawa Senators
The Senators looked like the better team in game 3 and I expect the same tonight in a game that they must win. I expect Spezza to step up tonight and lead the way with a couple points. Michalek I don’t really expect to step up, but if he does the Sens will get the win. The role players are playing how they need to, but the stars who get the extra ice time need to put it to use and find a way to score on Lundqvist. I will be at this game tonight and I expect a Senators win.
Play: Senators +102 (BetOnline.com)
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Philadelphia Flyers
The Penguins are absolutely not the kind of team that will lay down and die when down 3-0 in a series. This series will not be over until you see Sidney Crosby crying (oh wait that would probably indicate the series was already over). This series will not be over until you see the handshake and if any team could come back in a series its this one where the incredible has happened. I expect a Penguins victory tonight because I think this team is too proud to go from the Stanley Cup favourites to eliminated in four.
Play: Penguins +105 (SportsInteraction.com)
Vancouver Canucks @ Los Angeles Kings
The Canucks are a similar story to the Penguins. The second favourites to win the Cup heading into the playoffs find themselves on the brink of elimination. I don’t see the Canucks as proud as the Penguins and the Kings will be a much harder team to win 4 straight against with Quick in net who can steal any game, but I do like the Canucks to prevent an elimination tonight. Sedin could be back and that alone would be a huge boost. Regardless I like the Canucks as underdogs.
Play: Canucks +106 (BetOnline.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
Last night I went 1 for 3 with the Bruins collecting my only win, while the Sens lost a hard fought battle where they probably outplayed the Rangers, but couldn’t solve Lundqvist. The Sharks are starting to look like they might not be able to solve this smothering Blues defense, although they did score 2 late goals to keep the game close which could give them confidence moving forward. My 2012 NHL Playoffs record to date now sits at (9-4) for +6.97 units. Three games tonight, but I’m going to stay away from the Devils vs Panthers game because the Panthers impressed me in game 2 and I’m not sure what to make of them right now.
Nashville Predators @ Detroit Red Wings
The Predators were able to defeat the Red Wings in Detroit in game 3, but they are big underdogs to not do it again tonight. This is likely because the Red Wings thoroughly outplayed the Preds at home with a 43-22 shot differential. That being said with Pekka Rinne in net for the Predators I have to like their odds at +157 against any team in the league. Nashville is a team that I expect to have that killer instinct and not let a team back into the series. This is another game that could go either way and for that reason I love the Preds odds.
Play: Predators +157 (5Dimes.com)
Phoenix Coyotes @ Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks were the better team in the two overtime games in Phoenix, but they will be happy with the split considering they were down with just a few seconds left in regulation in both games. Chicago was much better at home in the regular season posting 27 home wins opposed to just 18 road w’s. An interesting thing about this series is that the big guns on Chicago haven’t really gotten going yet, but the role players have stepped up scoring big goals. I see that as a positive for the Blackhawks because Toews, Sharp, Hossa and Kane won’t stay quiet for long and having the last change at home should get these players some favourable matchups.
Play: Blackhawks -145 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
**Just noticed I had forgotten to post this this morning. This was written at noon and the Sens are tied after the first while the Bruins are down by 1 after 1 when I post this now.
The weekend had a slew of crazy intense games and I expect nothing different from tonight. I took yesterday off, but I’m back with predictions for each of the three games tonight. My NHL Playoffs prediction record for this year is an impressive (8-2) for +8.03 units. Let’s keep the streak alive today.
New York Rangers @ Ottawa Senators
The Rangers will be without Carl Hagelin, while the Senators will be without Matt Carkner for sure and possibly captain Daniel Alfredsson. I expect Alffy to be in the lineup tonight as it would take a lot to keep him out of a playoff game, especially this late in his career. The Senators showed the Rangers that they would not be intimidated last game and took some matters into their own hands with Carkner pummeling Brian Boyle for his cheap shots on Erik Karlsson in game 1. These teams have been trading chances so far in the series and it is fair to see the series even at one after the pair of games in New York. The Sens will take a small advantage into this one being at home and I think the last change and the crowd support should give the Sens the edge in this game.
Play: Senators +110 (SportsInteraction.com)
Boston Bruins @ Washington Capitals
The Bruins have acknowledged that the Caps are playing a patient game, but I think over time the Bruins will learn how to break down the Capitals structure just based on pure skill level. The Bruins have much more depth than the Caps and I expect this to show tonight with some of the lower line forwards stepping up and finding a way to put some pucks past Braden Holtby, who has stood on his head thus far in the series.
Play: Bruins -126 (5Dimes.com)
St Louis Blues @ San Jose Sharks
The Sharks won 26 games at home this season, while the Blues only won 19 games on the road. Needless to say that both of these teams much prefer to play at home. The Blues have looked like the better team so far in the series, but it will be interesting to see how the game shakes out in San Jose. I see the Sharks top forwards stepping up in this one to put some pucks by Brian Elliott who is replacing the injured Halak in goal.
Play: Sharks -106 (5Dimes.com)
Written by: Niko de Jonge
