Written by Graeme & Scott on Monday, April 21st, 2025
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Sunday saw three dominant performances by all the home teams in each series.
The Hurricanes were first, and walked all over the Devils in a big 4-1 victory.
The Leafs thumped the Sens 6-2. Lot of interesting narratives coming out of that one. Poor Ullmark is getting slated for not being a playoff goalie, but Sens physical approach backfired greatly in that one and was what cost them. Game 2 of that game is going to be fascinating.
And the Knights got a solid 4-2 victory over the Wild.
We have two other series starting today, and two Game 2s.
Jets vs Blues Game 2 Betting Tips:
Scott: It took the Jets some time to get going but when it came to the 3rd period it was all Winnipeg. They outshot the Blues 9-2 and scored 3 unanswered and came away 5-3 winners.
I think that now that game 1 is out of the way we should expect a better and more consistent game from the Jets here.
I expect this series to be a longer one. And for that to happen the Blues will need to have a good game 2 to even it up and play the full 60 minutes.
Blues win incl OT
Graeme: It was overall, a very dominant performance from teh Winnpeg Jets with a 64 corsi, 44 Fenwick, and xG of 3.65 to 1.09.
Based purely on that one game – man, it feels hard to back the Blues. They started strong enough but the Jets just took over.
One interesting thing is I DID mention how the Jets relied heavily on goaltending in the regular season, and if that goes tits up in the playoffs it could be an issue. Well it was a bit of an issue in Game 1, but they were able to outscore them. Are they able to do that again?
It’s not one I am loving, but the goaltending issue I was curious about DID pop up, so I think there’s enough there to warrant Blues win incl OT at the current odds.
Ontario: 2.60 Odds at Sports Interaction
Canada: 2.69 Odds at BetOnline.
USA: +169 Odds at BetOnline.
Everyone Else: 2.69 Odds at BetOnline. or 2.60 at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2025/04/21 1:57:03 PM EST but are subject to change.)
Stars vs Avalanche Game 2 Betting Tips:
Scott: The Avs scored the first 2 goals of the game and never looked back winning 5-1. MacKinnon did MacKinnon things scoring twice and adding a helper.
Also was a huge game for Blackwood. This was his first playoff action of his career but he looked great stopping 23 shots.
The Stars can’t afford to go back to Colorado down 2-0 so I can see them winning here. Will need a better game from Oettinger but he is for sure capable.
Stars win incl OT
Ontario: 2.29 Odds at TonyBet
Canada: 2.29 Odds at TonyBet
USA: +127 Odds at BetOnline.
Everyone Else: 2.27 Odds at BetOnline.
(Odds correct as of 2025/04/21 1:57:03 PM EST but are subject to change.)
Graeme: Avs did what I expected. I said I think they can win in 5, and they dominated Dallas. I just don’t see any real advantage for Dallas here or them able to pick themselves up. Didn’t see it in the regular season meetups between the two, didn’t see it in that game.
Avs win incl OT
Ontario: 1.75 Odds at TonyBet
Canada: 1.75 Odds at TonyBet
USA: -140 Odds at Intertops.
Everyone Else: 1.66 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2025/04/21 1:57:03 PM EST but are subject to change.)
Capitals vs Canadiens Series Betting Tips
Scott: The Canadiens had just a crazy season and didn’t clinch a spot until their 82 game.
They are led by Suzuki, Caufield, Slafkovsky, Gallagher, Laine and Evans. For depth they actually aren’t that bad with Dvorak, Armia, Anderson, Newhook and Demidov. On defense they have Hutson, who had one of the best seasons by a rookie defenseman ever, Matheson, Carrier, Guhle and Savard. In goal the have Montembeault who has been solid all year and Dobes as the backup.
The Caps had a great year and it’s crazy to think that last season they stumbled in to have them challenge for the Presidents Trophy.
They are obviously led by Ovechkin, Strome, Protas, Wilson and Dubois. For depth they have McMichael, Mangiapane, Dowd, Raddysh and Beauvillier. On defense it’s still Carlson, Chychrun, Sandin, van Riemsdyk and Fehervary. In goal it’s Thompson and Lindgren who were almost a 50/50 split with Thompson starting 4 more.
I think the Caps win but I also think that a lot of their success this season came from the team rallying around Ovechkin and his quest to break the goal record. Now that it’s out of the way I wonder how the team will do. If any team in these playoffs has Cinderella potential it has to be these Habs and I hope it happens.
Canadiens in 7 – bet is Habs to win the series
Ontario: 3.30 Odds at TonyBet
Canada: 3.30 Odds at TonyBet
USA: +220 Odds at Bovada
Everyone Else: 3.10 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2025/04/21 1:57:03 PM EST but are subject to change.)
Graeme: Overall regular season metrics have Washington slight advantage in CF and FF%. Scored more, conceded less, better xG metrics, better SCGF etc. Of course, you have to factor in that Habs felt like late bloomers, and Capitals had Ovi’s goal record spurring them on.
Looking at the matchups between them, the October 31st one was incredibly dominant in the Capitals favour. Like it’s an absolutely gross one metric wise. December game was more of the same, and the January game which went to OT….more of a mixed bags, but the Habs were slightly better across the board.
I’m not a big fan of the odds, but by the data I gotta go with Caps to win the series, and based on the odds, Caps -1.5. Caps have overall just looked the much better team.
Ontario: 1.80 Odds at Sports Interaction
Canada: 1.80 Odds at Sports Interaction
USA: -130 Odds at Intertops.
Everyone Else: 1,76 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2025/04/21 1:57:03 PM EST but are subject to change.)
Kings vs Oilers Series Betting Tips:
Scott: The Kings won the season series 3-1 winning both of their home games.
The Kings got to the position they are thanks in large part to their incredible play at home. They were led as always by Kopitar, Kempe, Fiala, Byfield, and Foegele. Also have Decent crew of depth players with Danault, Moore, Kuzmenko and Laferriere. On defense it’s Doughty, Clarke, Gavrikov and Spence. In goal it’s Kuemper and Rittich.
The Oilers are dealing with some key injuries at the worst possible time. But they still have arguably the best offensive team in the league. McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman. For depth they have Perry, Skinner, Brown, Arvidsson, Henrique and more. On defense they are also solid with Bouchard, Walman, Nurse, Kulak and Ekholm when he returns. In goal it’s Stuart Skinner and Pickard.
It hard for me to bet against any team that has McDavid. Throw in Draisaitl and they are a scary group again this year. I’d they can get, and stay, healthy then I don’t see a reason not to take them. It would be in their best interest to get this series over with to avoid any more injuries and allow players extra time to heal.
Oilers win series
Graeme: Overall metrics have Oilers the slightest of edges in CF% and FF%. Scored more but conceded more. xG is similar. Based just on that, it appears to be a coinflip and that’s what the odds are.
Looking at matchups – I think we can discount the April 14th game really mattering. The other two were very tight and it again adds to the coinflip aspect of it all, which is what the odds are at.
I can go either side here but I don’t think either is +EV at the odds. But I gotta pick one – and I wouldn’t want to bet against McDavid and Draisatl either. This Game 1 is insanely important – Kings will be relying on their home ice based on their regular season record, so if the Oilers win here that could crush them.
Hard to bet against that offense. Oilers win series
Ontario: 1.86 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Canada: 1.90 Odds at BetOnline.
USA: -110 Odds at BetOnline.
Everyone Else: 1.90 Odds at BetOnline.
(Odds correct as of 2025/04/21 1:57:03 PM EST but are subject to change.)
