Written by Graeme & Scott on Friday, April 21st, 2017
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Brackets were busted world wide and the bookies were rejoicing last night as the Chicago Blackhawks were eliminated from the NHL Playoffs – in an incredible sweep by the Nashville Predators.
Prior to the playoffs beginning, the Predators were 31.00 odds to win the Stanley Cup. After that amazing series they’re now 4th favourites at 7.00 odds.
The Predators will face either the Blues or the Wild.
The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Columbus Blue Jackets to go through to the next round of the playoffs. They will beat the winners of the Capitals vs Leafs series.
What a game it was in Edmonton. A high scoring thriller right from the beginning of the game and both teams showed great fight. The Oilers were the one that took it winning 4-3 in overtime.
It’s Friday, April 21st and we’ve got two games going tonight. The Maple Leafs take on the Capitals and the Bruins take on the Senators. Let’s get to it.
Bruins vs Senators Game 5 Betting Tips:
Graeme: Ottawa are a team that I’ve openly admitted in the past that I haven’t given enough respect to this season. Near the end of the season I started to give them more respect however I’ve leaned heavily on the Bruins this series, tipping them to win the series, Game 2, Game 3 and Game 4.
My reasoning for that is not a lack of respect for the Senators but that in the second half of the season, the Bruins stuck out as a playoff team to me more than any other team.
I’ve watched every second of this series and while the Bruins have been very solid – Ottawa are the team that deserve to go to the next round more. Easily. Plus look at their regular season record against the Bruins. This is one series where my judgment was just plain wrong.
They’re at home and they’re underdogs after going on the road and winning twice. How the hell do we not back the Senators here? At 2.12 odds it’s an +EV play.
Scott: Another series that hasn’t gone as many had predicted. The Sens have a 3-1 lead but the Bruins can’t be counted out just yet.
But looking at the results from not only the playoffs but the regular season, the Sens seem to own the Bruins. They won all 4 against the Bruins in the regular season and 3 of the 4 in the playoffs.
But I can’t back either team for this game so No Bet.
Maple Leafs vs Capitals Game 5 Betting Tips:
Graeme: From my own betting perspective I’m pretty much done for this series in the way of serious bets. My advisement last time out was to bet the Capitals to win the series at 1.93 odds. I locked in on that one big and now I’m good for the rest of the series.
That’s for the best because picking these games individually is bloody difficult. On a pure quality level overall the Capitals are the better team but the Leafs fight and passion is incredible. It also has me conflicted because even though financially I’m cheering on the Capitals, as soon as that first puck drops I’m cheering vociferously for the Leafs.
And you know it’s not because they’re a Canadian team or anything like that – I just love rooting for an underdog like this. Especially one that shows so much fight.
The Leafs have shown fight for the majority of this series. They’re going to Washington where they won’t be scared to go out and attack. Neither team seems to understand the phrase “protecting a lead”. I’ve gotta go with Over 5.5 goals in this one if I was betting.
Scott: This has been a great series so far.
I didn’t think this series would be this close. It’s tied at 2-2 and 3 of the 4 games have needed OT. I’m not sure who is going to win this game but I think it’ll be close like all of the others have. Game 1 hit 5 goals, games 2 and 3 hit 7 goals and game 4 had 9. I like that trend to continue in this game.
Over 5.5
That’s not guaranteed money surely, What if Boston win tonight then the Sens win the series?
Oh bloody hell – I was looking at the wrong odds for the Sens to win when on the road. I had the regulation time odds marked down by mistake. Thanks, fixed the post.
Hope nobody put his house on that tip 😀
Yeah my bad – I don’t know what I was thinking there. I’ll blame it on tiredness after having to stay up to watch stupid OT in the Oilers game.
What do you think about Sharks was being so scared and tired aswell in 3rd P and OT also?
They were so bad, never seen them so shitty
@betnhlca:disqus I am glad to see you are finally with Sens 🙂 Picks are coming later!
I also liked the comment “protecting the lead” which was my key thought about the last under pick where I went completely wrong! I really like your picks for tonight! We are in the same way. GL
From a betting perspective, they’re my 2nd biggest regret all season. I’ve looked back at a lot of the games they played and won and in retrospect kicking myself for not backing them.
Biggest regret was the Blue Jackets. I saw their ability early on and I backed them at good underdog prices a few times. They lost games that they should have won and I believe I lost 4 or 5 units backing them in October/November. That turned me off them and that’s when they went on that bloody run and I couldn’t bring myself to back them for most of it.
I haven’t looked at their record in the second half but didn’t they fall off pretty badly after that long streak? I seem to recall they limped into the playoffs
BTW for those wondering some books had the Predators 4-0 as high as 40.00.
Is it possible to rewind? 🙂 Yesterday was my 1st pick in that series (Preds under 2.5 & under 5.0) and when everything was looking well they scored 3 in 3P and 4 in total… One lost and another pushed. The best was my live bet with 3u in Rags +PL 🙂 To be honest I never thrusted Hawks in this series.
If I had a time machine I’m pretty sure I’d use it just to post ludicrious winning tips on here. “Yep guys take Sharks -6.5 vs the Oilers for Game 4. LOCK OF THE CENTURY”.
Yeah, unreal! That’s the beauty of betting!
I didn’t watch any of the Hawks-Preds series. What happened to the Hawks? Did they play badly or did they just run into a ridiculously hot goalie and a tight Preds blue line? Seems like an embarassment for such a great club.
I’d say biggest thing is they just got outcompeted. Preds wanted it more from game 1 to game 4. They were on a mission to beat the Hawks and didn’t let up at any point.
For the Hawks to win they really need big things from their top guys, as a team they aren’t that much better than other teams in the West nowdays.. When they’re on it’s their top guys who can make the difference, but the Preds managed to shut them down.
Im glad i picked the Preds as a dark horse from the West from December onwards 😀 P.K. is so much better fit for a long playoff run for the Preds than Weber. Preds play their best when they play with high energy – that’s what Subban can bring in the playoffs.
Will take Wild to win.
Probably Toronto can win it as well, like the odds here, let’s bet on Leafs =)))
Senators to win + under 5.5 at the match.
Win to everyone!
Not the best night for betting.. I can’t see the Caps losing tonight, but i opted to try and ride the over-train that’s been working in this series.
I really think the Bruins win, but i can’t bring myself to back them- i just don’t understand how the Bruins are favored by the bookies so much. Not just in this game, but pretty much every game since they got their game rolling in Feb-March. Also i’d be much more comfortable with the bet if Carlo and Krug were in the lineup, but with those injuries can’t pull the trigger.
No bets for me tonight.
Leafs – Caps over 5.5 @ 1.86
Bruins – Sens go to OT @ 3.75
GLTA
Adding: Caps 1P @ 2.37
Looks like the cautious Caps style is on tonight… Damn!
In or not? Hmmm
No bets tonight. No value on Caps and they have been leaving the Leafs in every game. Boston/Ottawa is a random series.
Going hard on Habs and Sharks tomorrow. Both will win