NHL Playoff Betting – Bruins look to sweep Flyers

The Boston Bruins are on the verge of sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers, a situation that they were in last year before they suffered an epic collapse and lost the series in seven games. A fact that is constantly being brought up but also, admittedly, one that they’ll need to be mindful of going into Game 4 at TD Garden.

On the other hand, it’s a different season. Why bring up ancient history? When it’s a clean slate (so to speak). When it’s a much more confident and convincing Bruins team, who is now in a commanding position, seemingly good to seal the deal.

In some ways, it’s counterintuitive to look past last season’s result but that is precisely what needs to be done. The Bruins have played so well that they deserve the benefit of the doubt.

NHL Betting Line:

Philadelphia Flyers +1½ -200 +155 5½ O +105 U -125

Boston Bruins -1½ +165 -175 5½ O +105 U -125

Game Time: 08:05 PM Eastern Time (05:05 PM Pacific Time) Friday 6 May 2011

NHL Betting Verdict: The Boston Bruins have taken a 3-0 series lead over the Philadelphia Flyers, what is familiar territory from last year, when they were in the same position before blowing it and losing the next four games to quit the playoffs.

Few imagine the Bruins would collapse so this season. The way they’ve been playing it’s hard to find fault with them, particularly, after Game 3 where they crushed the Flyers 5-1 and any spirit the Flyers might have had going into that game.

Unlike the Sharks/Red Wings series, which is a very tight and tough series, although it’s not reflected in the score, the Bruins/Flyers series has been utterly one-sided. The Bruins have outplayed and outclassed the Flyers and exposed their weakness between the posts by outscoring them, 15-6.

A team is only as strong as its weakest link and for the Flyers that is goaltending, as the Bruins have been so thoughtful to expose.

Last year, the Flyers did manage to turn around this series when they were in the very same position, staring elimination in the face, and that will be a source of inspiration for them going into tonight’s game. But let us not pretend that repeating such heroics is a straightforward matter.

On the contrary, it’s most difficult, made more so because the Bruins will be mindful of last year’s collapse and thus, even more determined to close the series in four straight games than otherwise.

NHL Free Picks: Boston Bruins -175 | Over 5 ½ +105

Can Tampa Bay or Boston Stop Vancouver?

Before the weekend descends upon us the complete billing for the Stanley Cup finals will be revealed. At the time of writing, only one finalist is known: the Western Conference champions Vancouver Canucks. It remains to be seen whether Boston Bruins or Tampa Bay Lightning will join the Canucks in the best-of-seven-games race for the Stanley Cup (they are set to decide a spot in the final on Friday 27 May) but that missing detail shouldn’t preclude hockey fans eager to flex their betting muscles from some early, heady speculation.

BREAKING NEWS – Stanley Cup Finals Schedule released:

Wednesday, June 1
Stanley Cup finals Game 1: Boston or Tampa Bay at Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)

Saturday, June 4
Stanley Cup finals Game 2: Boston or Tampa Bay at Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)

Monday, June 6
Stanley Cup finals Game 3: Vancouver at Boston or Tampa Bay, 8 p.m. ET (Versus)

Wednesday, June 8
Stanley Cup finals Game 4: Vancouver at Boston or Tampa Bay, 8 p.m. ET (Versus)

Friday, June 10
Stanley Cup finals Game 5 (if necessary): Boston or Tampa Bay at Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)

Monday, June 13
Stanley Cup finals Game 6 (if necessary): Vancouver at Boston or Tampa Bay, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)

Wednesday, June 15
Stanley Cup finals Game 7 (if necessary): Boston or Tampa Bay at Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)

What we already know: Vancouver Canucks are in the finals

The Vancouver Canucks have come through on the predictions made on their behalf with panache and a soupcon of drama (ulcer-inducing, if you are a diehard fan).

Vancouver ousted archrivals and defending Stanley Cup champions Chicago Blackhawks, the tenacious Nashville Predators and the hard-checking San Jose Sharks to earn their first visit to the Stanley Cup finals since 1994, when a Pavel Bure-inspired Canucks gave it their all only to lose a heartbreaking game 7 and thus, ol’ Uncle Stanley to the New York Rangers.  

Now, for the second time in franchise history the Canucks will bid for the Stanley Cup and if pre-playoff market predictions, which had the Canucks installed as the runaway juggernauts for the coveted trophy, were any indication, smart money has to be on them to win irrespective of who their opponent might be. Simply put: the Canucks were the best team in the league, finishing on a club-defining 117 points, courtesy of a season high record 54-19-9. And in a perfect world, the best team wins.

Well, it’s not always that simple. But the fact they were the so-called best this season lends them certain advantages and considerations in the broad spectrum of the competition.

Being the top team, NUMERO UNO, in the NHL alone guarantees home-ice advantage to start a series in the NHL Playoffs for the duration of their campaign, which now reaches the ultimate stage, as it so happens. And such a boon can be huge because not only does the series start at home but it also finishes at home when it comes down to the wire, to the nail-biting, nerve-wracking game seven that will decide it once and for all.
As far as the playoffs are concerned, Vancouver totted up a 12-6-2 record. Over this 18-game stretch, the Canucks registered with a 2.78 goals per game average and a 2.56 goals against average. Nothing to write home about but, then again, those numbers are skewed largely by the brouhaha with the Blackhawks, an opening series that went seven games and saw the Canucks oscillate from euphoric highs to epic bouts of Luongo-esque depressions before recovering by the skin of their teeth. 

In the Western Conference semi-finals and finals though, the Canucks significantly tidied up their act and played some of their best hockey, which was nowhere more evinced than in the increasing winning efficacy of each series – from seven games to dispatch the Blackhawks, followed by six to dismiss the Predators, to needing only five to send the Sharks packing. Now, I am no mathematician but do I sense a sweep coming on?

In the interest of hockey and enthusiasts and fans that love the verve and swagger of the game, a sweep – though nothing to balk at indeed (nor am I dismissing it entirely) – let’s face it, would be somewhat anticlimactic. But I don’t need to tell you that. Realistically, it’s not likely, as both the Bruins and Bolts have shown spirit and heart throughout the playoffs that it would be a complete turnaround by either to fold so, like a deck of cards. No, expect that whichever team advances to give the Vancouver Canucks a right battle royale.

Bruins or Bolts, does it even matter?

Interestingly, on paper very little separated these two in the regular season. Both finished with 103 points on a 46-25-11 mark and in the goals for category both teams are comparable: Tampa scored 247 while Bruins scored one less. Where the Bruins have the edge is on defence as they allowed fewer goals 195 to Tampa’s 240.

All this amounted to one difference: that is, for Boston it was enough to clinch the Northeast Division while for Tampa it only earned them second place in the Southeast Division behind the Washington Capitals –not that that matters anymore after the still-somewhat-hard-to-believe sweep of the Capitals in the Eastern Conference semi-finals by Tampa preceded by an even more astonishing feat against the Pittsburgh Penguins. If there is one thing the Bolts have impressed upon us in these playoffs: it’s to never count them out!

As far as the Bruins are concerned, they were always the team to watch in the Eastern Conference, in my humble opinion –even if the markets didn’t quite price them as the top dogs in the East.

In the playoffs, the similarities continue in many ways as the Bruins have an 11-6-0 mark while the Bolts have an 11-6-1 mark. Goals for and against are commensurate as well and the list continues….

What all this means is two things a) both have a legitimate shot to reach the Stanley Cup finals and b) whichever team makes it, in no uncertain terms they pose an almost similar threat to the Canucks.

Who will win the Stanley Cup Finals?

As far as the Canucks are concerned, they’ve always maintained that it doesn’t matter which team comes up against them in the race because no matter who tries to stare them down, they’ll still play their game. And so it follows that it won’t make a difference to them whether it is the Bruins or Bolts that emerge on Friday. And I dare say it won’t matter to the bookmakers either because they’ve been riding the Canucks bandwagon since the beginning. To put a finer point on it: the Vancouver Canucks are the next Stanley Cup champions. They were the hot bet to start the playoffs and they remain the hot bet to finish the playoffs in winning style.

NHL FREE PICKS: Vancouver Canucks to win Stanley Cup in seven games!

Boston Ties the Series at 2

***BREAKING NEWS

The Boston Bruins have tied the series at 2 games a piece.

Updated Odds to win the Stanley Cup:

Boston +155
Vancouver -190

The Vancouver Canucks slipped 2-1 in the series following a resounding thumping at the TD Garden on Monday night but in spite of the setback, they remain the runaway faves to win the Stanley Cup.

The Bruins meanwhile revived their bid after steamrolling the Canucks 8-1 and now they will look to ride the wave as they attempt to send the series level 2-2 back to Vancouver.
In terms of betting on which team will win the Stanley Cup, the Canucks are listed as the hot faves at -375 while the Bruins are tipped at +275.

Yet, as the NHL finals are heading into game 4 of the series, bookies are pricing the Vancouver Canucks as the significant puppies tipped at +100 while tipping the Bruins at a hot, solid fave price of -120. This is rather interesting.

The second period in Game 3 proved to be a turning point in the series as a hit by Aaron Rome that levelled Nathan Horton sparked the Bruins to life and after which they didn’t look back.

The score tells one story but the reality is a bit different. The Bruins did everything right and the Canucks everything wrong. Perhaps the Canucks were a little complacent, overconfident even. As well, a little luck went the way of the Bruins as they benefited from two own goals.

Many pundits are drawing similarities between this series and the opening series when a similar hit by Raffi Torres in the opening round of the playoffs against the Chicago Blackhawks saw the Canucks, up 3-0, nigh lose the series before clinching the win in the deciding seventh game.

While there are similarities, there are differences as well and it is too soon to start panicking or jumping off the Vancouver bandwagon, evinced by the futures market to win the Stanley Cup.
During that series, Roberto Luongo came under harsh criticism, the blame placed entirely on his shoulders and his team unravelled in the wake of his existential crisis.

 I don’t believe this is the same situation because between the Canucks and Blackhawks was a deep-seeded rivalry, a history of disappointment and failure. Twice the Canucks had lost to the Blackhawks in the playoffs and rather badly so it was bound to be a heated and topsy-turvy series.

In the end, the Canucks persevered and advance into the next round, and since that crucial opening series they haven’t looked back.

As far as the Bruins are concerned, while they are the underdogs they were always going to win a game. I mean, they got to the final didn’t they and they have a Vezina Trophy goalie that is just as good as Luongo is.

Winning at home was important for them and the challenge for them will be to carry the momentum into the next game. Vancouver is rattled but they were the best team this season and they know that one defeat is not the be all end all of the series.

NHL FREE PICKS: Vancouver to win the Stanley Cup

NHL Betting Odds – Red Wings at Sharks

Coming from a 0-3 deficit the Detroit Red Wings are just one win away to achieve the unthinkable as they take on the San Jose Sharks this Thursday, at HP Pavilion at 9:00 PM ET, in what could to be a tremendous game seven to bet on.

NHL Betting Odds:
Detroit Red Wings +1
San Jose Shark -1
O/U 5.5

Detroit’s 3-1 win on Tuesday was the first time any of these teams won a game by more than one score. 

Before the series started the Sharks were the big favorites and they showed in the first three games but now the momentum switched completely and is on the Wings side.

Over the years just the 2010 Philadelphia Flyers, the 1975 New York Islanders, and 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs came back from a 0-3 deficit, meaning this is anything but an easy task.

Last season the Flyers not only came from a 0-3 deficit but they had to finish the series visiting the Boston Bruins in game seven, just like Detroit tonight.  Philadelphia started losing the game 3-0 to them win it 4-3 in one of the most impressive and improbable comebacks in sports history.

Detroit will be the eighth team in NHL history to force a game 7 after being down 3-0, three completed the task and four failed in the attempt.

Keep in mind these NHL betting trends before making your bet:

DETROIT:

26-15 OVER off an Under
17-12 ATS after a win by 2 goals or more
7-9 ATS after a 3 game unbeaten streak
28-24 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record

SAN JOSE:

15-4 SU off a road loss by 3+ goals
21-15 ATS in a home game where the total is 5.5
33-26 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record
22-13 ATS revenging a loss versus opponent
13-5 ATS after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game

Simmons’ pick: Take the Sharks.

NHL Playoffs Could Have the Weekend Off

Well, it looks like that first round of NHL playoff fury was just a strip tease. Only one series looks as though it will reach the weekend as the Vancouver Canucks are the only team that haven’t cracked out the brooms, though they have a decisive edge over the Nashville Predators. Boston and San Jose can flip the kill switches on their respective opponents Friday night and that’s probably what’s going to happen.

San Jose Sharks over DETROIT RED WINGS

Friday, May 6 — Joe Louis Arena — 7:00pm EST

It’s hard to envision the Red Wings not advancing in the playoffs, but these aren’t the unstoppable Wings of a few years ago. Besides, the San Jose Sharks have their number and are a bewildering 8-2 SU in their last 10 games against Detroit. I rarely say that San Jose owns anyone in the NHL, but if they’re in the heads of any team it’s the Red Wings, so this series should come to a staggering end on Friday night.

BOSTON BRUINS over Philadelphia Flyers

Friday, May 6 — TD Garden — 8:00pm EST

The Bruins have made Philadelphia rethink everything they thought they knew about goaltending. Flyers fans don’t even know who’s going to be in net anymore and at this point they probably don’t care. The Bruins have outscored the Flyers 15-to-7 in the past three games, and without Chris Pronger offsetting the unruly presence of Zdeno Chara, the Flyers don’t stand a chance.

There’s always that “elimination game rebound effort” in play for a scrappy playoff team like Philadelphia, but don’t underestimate how starved Boston will be for revenge after being ousted in the same round last year. Boston has pretty much owned this series, going 6-3-0-1 SU in their last 10 meetings which includes the wars from last year’s playoffs and they’ll pad those numbers with a series sweep to bust into the Conference Finals against Tampa Bay. The blood war with Montreal galvanized these guys.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS over Nashville Predators

Saturday, May 7 — Rogers Arena — 8:00pm EST

Can you tell how jacked I am about the second round of the NHL playoffs? The truth is that I’m more excited for the teams that will be in the Conference Finals (especially with Vancouver and Joe Thornton trying to out-choke each other in big time moments) and the last thing I want to put up with is the listless Nashville Predators on the grand stage. I’m all for small-market teams, but give me small markets that care if their team does well or not.

Nashville has given Vancouver all it can handle in this series already, matching them with timely goals and keeping Roberto Luongo on the verge of having a spiritual aneurysm, but these Canucks have already learned from a tightly fought series against Chicago that they can survive. This is an obnoxiously tight series, but with Vancouver finding ways to stop Nashville from ramping up shots, like they did in Game 2, they’ve taken control of this series.

Please keep in mind that I’m writing this Thursday morning without knowing what happens in Game 4 but regardless I think that Vancouver’s fans will do everything required to push the ‘Nuckleheads over the edge in Game 5 no matter what. Vancouver was the best home team in the Western Conference with a regular season record of 27-9-5 SU.

Enjoy the weekend, folks!

Can Vancouver Carry the Hopes of a Nation?

We’re down to the NHL’s version of the final four as Vancouver battles San Jose in the West in a meeting of perennial underachievers, while Boston clashes with Tampa Bay in the East without their best players. It has been a phenomenal Stanley Cup playoffs so far, and you can expect the drama and skill levels to increase as players get closer to the grand prize. Here is a look at how the odds are breaking it down.

Vancouver (+115): It should be no surprise that the Presidents’ Trophy winners are the favorites after defeating Chicago and Nashville, and they’re off to a good start after coming back to beat the Sharks in Game 1 at home. Still, how confident can you be in goaltender Roberto Luongo, especially after he gifted a goal to San Jose’s Joe Thornton in the series opener?

Boston (+325): The Bruins got run out of their building in Game 1, but they bounced back in a big way with a 6-5 win in Game 2. While you can’t underestimate the loss of Patrice Bergeron to a concussion, which robs the Bruins of their best player, rookie forward Tyler Seguin exploded in Game 2 with four points (two goals, two assists). Bergeron is one of the best two-way players in the NHL, he’s arguably the best faceoff player left in the postseason, and you can put him out in any situation. He says he is recovering nicely, and if he can get back in the lineup, the Bruins will have an even stronger opportunity to advance to the Stanley Cup finals and win it. 

Tampa Bay (+350): The Lightning are no joke, and after dismantling the Bruins in Game 1 on the road they had won eight straight games, spanning matchups with Pittsburgh and Washington as well. Goaltender Dwayne Roloson is a frontrunner for the Conn Smythe, and while we all know about Martin St. Louis, Vincent Lecavalier and Steven Stamkos, the Lightning have been getting goals from a number of different sources, notably Sean Bergenheim, who has eight.

San Jose (+475): The Sharks were badly outplayed in the third period of their 3-2 loss in Game 1 as they were outshot 13-7 and allowed two goals in a span of 1:19, but all is not lost in San Jose, who got good games from Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Logan Couture. Goaltender Antti Niemi kept the Sharks in the game, and he has experience against the Canucks from his time in Chicago, a team that was (and likely still is) Vancouver’s nemesis for the past two years in the playoffs, and he outplayed Luongo in Game 1. They’re a very good team at home, so if they can manage to go back to San Jose with a split after Game 2, it’s going to be a very tight series.

NHL Future Betting Odds – Canucks To Win It All

With the Stanley Cup finals a few weeks away, who has the best chances of winning sports oldest and most revered trophy?  The NHL future betting odds have the Vancouver Canucks as the favorite after beating the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks and the stingy Nashville Predators.

Stanley Cup Betting Odds:
Vancouver Canucks +175
Boston Bruins + 250

The dominance of the Canucks all season can be described on every aspect of the game; they were the best squad on both sides of the ice. 

Vancouver was the highest scoring team in the regular season recording a league leading 265 goals mark. On defense the Canucks were as impressive allowing just 185 goals. The next best team was the Nashville Predators, who the Vancouver Canucks just sent to the golf course.

Vancouver’s best player by far has been center Ryan Kesler who is leading the Finals in points with 15.  After being held scoreless in the open round, Kesler has exploded with 5 goals in the series against the Predators.

Goaltender Roberto Luongo also has bounced back from a shaky first series and made crucial saves against the pesky Predators.  Luongo will have to play his best games in the weeks to come.

In the Eastern Conference the Boston Bruins are the best bet to go to the Stanley Cup Finals.  Boston and Vancouver are the best teams left in the mix, but the best bet to win Lord Stanley’s Cup are the Vancouver Canucks.

NHL Playoffs Could Have the Weekend Off

Well, it looks like that first round of NHL playoff fury was just a strip tease. Only one series looks as though it will reach the weekend as the Vancouver Canucks are the only team that haven’t cracked out the brooms, though they have a decisive edge over the Nashville Predators. Boston and San Jose can flip the kill switches on their respective opponents Friday night and that’s probably what’s going to happen.

San Jose Sharks over DETROIT RED WINGS

Friday, May 6 — Joe Louis Arena — 7:00pm EST

It’s hard to envision the Red Wings not advancing in the playoffs, but these aren’t the unstoppable Wings of a few years ago. Besides, the San Jose Sharks have their number and are a bewildering 8-2 SU in their last 10 games against Detroit. I rarely say that San Jose owns anyone in the NHL, but if they’re in the heads of any team it’s the Red Wings, so this series should come to a staggering end on Friday night.

BOSTON BRUINS over Philadelphia Flyers

Friday, May 6 — TD Garden — 8:00pm EST

The Bruins have made Philadelphia rethink everything they thought they knew about goaltending. Flyers fans don’t even know who’s going to be in net anymore and at this point they probably don’t care. The Bruins have outscored the Flyers 15-to-7 in the past three games, and without Chris Pronger offsetting the unruly presence of Zdeno Chara, the Flyers don’t stand a chance.

There’s always that “elimination game rebound effort” in play for a scrappy playoff team like Philadelphia, but don’t underestimate how starved Boston will be for revenge after being ousted in the same round last year. Boston has pretty much owned this series, going 6-3-0-1 SU in their last 10 meetings which includes the wars from last year’s playoffs and they’ll pad those numbers with a series sweep to bust into the Conference Finals against Tampa Bay. The blood war with Montreal galvanized these guys.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS over Nashville Predators

Saturday, May 7 — Rogers Arena — 8:00pm EST

Can you tell how jacked I am about the second round of the NHL playoffs? The truth is that I’m more excited for the teams that will be in the Conference Finals (especially with Vancouver and Joe Thornton trying to out-choke each other in big time moments) and the last thing I want to put up with is the listless Nashville Predators on the grand stage. I’m all for small-market teams, but give me small markets that care if their team does well or not.

Nashville has given Vancouver all it can handle in this series already, matching them with timely goals and keeping Roberto Luongo on the verge of having a spiritual aneurysm, but these Canucks have already learned from a tightly fought series against Chicago that they can survive. This is an obnoxiously tight series, but with Vancouver finding ways to stop Nashville from ramping up shots, like they did in Game 2, they’ve taken control of this series.

Please keep in mind that I’m writing this Thursday morning without knowing what happens in Game 4 but regardless I think that Vancouver’s fans will do everything required to push the ‘Nuckleheads over the edge in Game 5 no matter what. Vancouver was the best home team in the Western Conference with a regular season record of 27-9-5 SU.

Enjoy the weekend, folks!

NHL Betting Odds – Red Wings at Sharks

Coming from a 0-3 deficit the Detroit Red Wings are just one win away to achieve the unthinkable as they take on the San Jose Sharks this Thursday, at HP Pavilion at 9:00 PM ET, in what could to be a tremendous game seven to bet on.

NHL Betting Odds:
Detroit Red Wings +1
San Jose Shark -1
O/U 5.5

Detroit’s 3-1 win on Tuesday was the first time any of these teams won a game by more than one score. 

Before the series started the Sharks were the big favorites and they showed in the first three games but now the momentum switched completely and is on the Wings side.

Over the years just the 2010 Philadelphia Flyers, the 1975 New York Islanders, and 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs came back from a 0-3 deficit, meaning this is anything but an easy task.

Last season the Flyers not only came from a 0-3 deficit but they had to finish the series visiting the Boston Bruins in game seven, just like Detroit tonight.  Philadelphia started losing the game 3-0 to them win it 4-3 in one of the most impressive and improbable comebacks in sports history.

Detroit will be the eighth team in NHL history to force a game 7 after being down 3-0, three completed the task and four failed in the attempt.

Keep in mind these NHL betting trends before making your bet:

DETROIT:

26-15 OVER off an Under
17-12 ATS after a win by 2 goals or more
7-9 ATS after a 3 game unbeaten streak
28-24 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record

SAN JOSE:

15-4 SU off a road loss by 3+ goals
21-15 ATS in a home game where the total is 5.5
33-26 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record
22-13 ATS revenging a loss versus opponent
13-5 ATS after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game

Simmons’ pick: Take the Sharks.

NHL Betting Odds – Sharks vs Red Wings Game 6

The Red Wings will try to force a seventh game when they host the San Jose Sharks tonight at Joe Louis Arena at 8:00 PM ET in crucial match for both teams.

NHL Betting Odds:
San Jose Shark +1.5
Detroit Red Wings -1.5
0/U 5.5

San Jose needed only one win two games ago but they failed to close out the stubborn Red Wings, but after giving up a 3-0 series lead the Sharks are on the brink of an epic collapse.

All of the first five games played in this series have been decided just by one goal and each of the teams have won once on the other’s home ice.  San Jose entered the series as a big favorite but two of their main stars have disappointed during the process.

Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton have been been non-factors against Detroit, both were the leading scorers for the Sharks in the regular season but against the Red Wings Marleau is scoreless and Thorton has only one assist since they got 3-0 series lead.

Detroit still isn’t a lock to win the series, only Philadelphia last year, the 1975 New York Islanders, and 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs have done it. 

Consider these NHL betting trends:

SAN JOSE:

11-2 ATS after a home loss versus opponent

20-16 ATS in a road game where the total is 5.5

DETROIT:

1-5 SU Away after scoring 4+ goals back to back games

9-4 ATS after 3 or more consecutive overs

The Sharks are the better team out of the two but the momentum right now is clearly on the Red Wings side.  Take the experience Red Wings back stopped by Jimmy Howard to win tonight.

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