Written by Graeme & Scott on Friday, April 26th, 2019
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The second round of the 2018/2019 NHL playoffs got off to a solid start with two tight games.
And hey – both favourites won!!!! Can’t beat that!
The Bruins defeated the Blue Jackets 3-2 in overtime, and the Blues beat the Stars 3-2.
Tarasenko looked amazing out there and a hot Tarasenko could spell real trouble for the Dallas Stars.
We’ll cover Game 2 in both of those series tomorrow. For now we are analyzing the two other series that are taking place starting today as the Carolina Hurricanes go up against the New York Islanders, and the Colorado Avalanche face the San Jose Sharks.
Hurricanes vs Islanders Series Betting Tips:
Scott: This is a tough one to call. The Canes just won a 7 game series against the defending champs and the Isles are coming off of sweeping the Penguins.
Trotz won the cup last year with the Caps and his leadership is going to go a long way for the Isles. The Isles will have home ice during this round.
I think the rest will be crucial here as will the coaching.
Islanders in 6
Graeme: I was over the moon that the Carolina Hurricanes were able to beat the Washington Capitals. However that was a tough series that went to 7 games, and now they face off against the well rested New York Islanders.
It’ll make for an interesting game one for sure as the Hurricanes are generally a workhorse. However I think Trotz will be able to use all of that to his advantage. In saying that they may have been preparing to play the Capitals so it’ll be interesting.
Islanders got the better of the Hurricanes in the regular season. Interestingly Lehner is killing it yet the Hurricanes never faced him this year.
I want the Hurricanes to win this series badly. I’ve rooted for them for a few years now as I mentioned last time out. However I think goaltending is going to be the difference here and I give Lehner the upper hand over Mrazek. Islanders in 6.
Everyone Else: Best odds for the Islanders to win the series are 1.82 at Casumo.
Americans: Best odds for the Hurricanes to win the series are +110 at BetOnline..
Everyone Else: Best odds for the Hurricanes to win the series are 2.10 at BetOnline..
Avalanche vs Sharks Series Betting Tips:
Scott: This may be the best series of the second round. The Avalanche are coming in after eliminating the top team in the West the Flames. The Sharks had a dramatic come from behind series win against the Knights and if not for a late major penalty they may not be here.
The Sharks are the more complete team. The Avs have a great group of young stars but the Sharks are the deeper team. Thornton has a pile of playoff experience and had an incredible career and he is their 3rd line center.
The team will be flying after winning 3 in a row to advance and I see them taking this series which has the potential to go the distance.
Sharks in 7
Graeme: After the heart shown by the San Jose Sharks, everyone will be looking to back them. Before the season began they were one of the top contenders for the cup and many believe they’ll be taking it after that performance against the Knights.
They certainly have the heart. But they’ve got the injuries too. I’d think that game 1 will see an adrenaline dump from them. Based on the Jackets/Bruins game the Avs will start slow after the rest. But I don’t know if the Sharks have the energy either.
I think it will be a hard fought series but I have to go with the team that showed the most heart, as dangerous as the Avs looked at times. Sharks in 7
Everyone Else: Best odds for the Avalanche to win the series are 2.25 at GT Bets...
Americans: Best odds for the Sharks to win the series are -140 at GT Bets...
Everyone Else: Best odds for the Sharks to win the series are 1.71 at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv.
