Written by Graeme on Monday, April 22nd, 2024
Follow @BetNHL
What a fantastic day of playoff hockey we had yesterday.
The Avs/Jets went absolutely lights out, with a fantastic 7-6 victory for the Jets. I love playoff hockey because you think okay every game is gonna be like that, then watch the next game be like 0-0 at the end of regulation.
The Capitals offense decided playoffs hadn’t started yet as they took the day off and the Rangers went to town against them. Then Tom Wilson did Tom Wilson things. What a guy.
The Canucks pulled out a big 3rd period in what was one hell of a loud arena to defeat the Predators 4-2, and Tampa and Florida had a tight one with Florida eeking out the winners.
Tonight we have two game twos, and two series to predict. Let’s tackle the Game 2s first.
Bruins vs Leafs Game 2 Betting Tips:
The Bruins scored on their first shot of the game but Samsonov looked better after that to end the period. Having 3 pucks go off of the post helped for sure.
Maroon is a beast who had a good game with some big hits and Reaves needs to take some notes and start throwing the body. Swayman was great for Boston too.
With Nylander out you can really see just how much he brings to the team, he’s a guy that can carry the puck and draws lots of attention from the opposition. Also McMann is another loss. They need them back and fast before they lose another game.
The Leafs lost their first game in last years playoffs 7-3 to the Lightning and bounced back in game 2 to win 7-2.
Leafs win incl OT if Nylander plays.
Graeme: Not a great first game by the Leafs but I did say that I felt mentally, they weren’t quite ‘there’ yet. Will that wake them up?
Last season, they were blown by Tampa and woke up in Game 2. They are generally pretty good at bouncing back from a loss in the playoffs.
Swayman was stellar on Saturday, but the Leafs were able to beat him once which should give them confidence that they can do it again.
I think we’ll see a much improved Leafs team here mentally, and I’m fine backing them to win whether Nylander plays or not. Leafs win incl OT
Ontario: 2.15 Odds at Sports Interaction
Canada: 2.23 Odds at BetOnline.
USA: +123 Odds at BetOnline.
Everyone Else: 2.15 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2024/04/22 9:53:10 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Hurricanes vs Islanders Game 2 Betting Tips:
Scott: The Isles held the Canes to 13 shots through the first 2 periods but the Canes came alive in the 3rd doubling their shots with 13 and won 3-1. Andersen looked good for the Canes too.
With game 2 still in Carolina and with the way they played in the 3rd vs the first 2 periods I like the Canes to win game 2 before heading to New York for the next couple games.
Canes win in regulation
Ontario: 1.74 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Canada: 1.74 Odds at Bovada
USA: -135 Odds at Bovada
Everyone Else: 1.74 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2024/04/22 9:53:10 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Graeme: Pretty much as I predicted in my analysis – if Freddie played, he would be the game changer. This is one series where I’ll be paying attention to that big time – if they drop Freddie for any reason, I’ll be immediately backing the Islanders.
It was a generally close game with Freddie the difference maker. Also felt the Islanders as soon as they conceded that 2nd goal lost their mojo.
I’m actually going to hold off my pick on this one. I’m waiting for all the props to be released and I’ll post my pick in the comments later this afternoon.
Stars vs Knights Series Betting Tips:
Scott: The Knights swept the season series 3-0.
The Stars won the toughest division in the league. They are led offensively by Robertson, Pavelski, Hintz and Duchene. But also have plenty of depth with Seguin, Benn, Johnston and Marchment. On defense they have Heiskanen, Harley, Lindell, Tanev and Suter. In goal the have one of the best in Oettinger who’s backed up by Wedgewood. They are a strong team and winning the Central is a tough task.
The Knights won the Cup last season and are now the 8th and final wild card spot in the West.
They are a deep team who has the experience needed to have success in the playoffs. At forward the have Marchessault, Eichel, Karlsson, Barbashev, Stephenson, Hertl and Mantha. Plus they are getting Stone back. They also have playoff players Kolesar and Carrier who are tough to play against. On defense they are again deep with Hanifin, Pietrangelo, Martinez, Theodore and McNabb. In goal they go with a 1a, 1b approach with Hill and Thompson. Both are good and it gives them the option to ride with whoever is playing better.
As good as the Stars are I just think that with the experience they gained last season and the return of Stone I like the Knights chances.
Knights in 6 at the odds will take Knights to win
Ontario: 2.20 Odds at Sports Interaction
Canada: 2.25 Odds at Bovada
USA: +125 Odds at Bovada
Everyone Else: 2.25 Odds atIntertops.
(Odds correct as of 2024/04/22 9:53:10 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Graeme: Man this one looks to be a banger series. Dallas absolutely rocked the NHL season as a whole, with 113pts, but the Knights, who only had 98pts, had their number. Two of the games were tight, and Stars were unfortunate in those.
Honestly, I feel like Game 1 is the most crucial game in this. Dallas absolutely NEED to get a win Game 1, otherwise their confidence is going to be shattered.
Looking at when the three games took place though – I’m not too concerned. Dallas weren’t rocking it during that time.
I am super concerned if they don’t win Game 1, that’s for sure. Not one where if they lose Game 1 I’ll double down on my bet at better odds or anything. But I do think they have what it takes, and am going to go with Stars to win the series.
Please win tonight lads. Please.
Ontario: 1.76 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Canada: 1.76 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
USA: 1.77 Odds at GT Bets.
Everyone Else: 1.76 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2024/04/22 9:53:10 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Oilers vs Kings Series Betting Tips:
Scott: The Oilers won the season series 3-1.
Just a stacked team offensively. McDavid and Draisaitl are two of the best players on the planet. They are joined by Nugent-Hopkins, Hyman, Henrique, Foegele, Kane and Perry. Plus Corey Perry is a playoff beast. On defense they have Nurse, Bouchard, Ekholm, Ceci and Kulak. On paper they are a great team. Their biggest issue is, and has been for a while, goaltending. Skinner is their starter and he is a decent goalie and Pickard is the backup. But if either are off of their game then they really need the forwards to bail them out.
The Kings earned 3rd in the Pacific on the last day of the regular season. Offensively they have Kempe, Fiala, Kopitar, Dubois, Danault, Byfield and Moore. It’s a decent group but they didn’t have a player score more than a point per game. In defense it’s Doughty as it has been forever. He’s joined by Roy, Gavrikov and Spence. In goal Talbot is the starter with Rittich the backup. Rittich played less but had better numbers in GAA and save percentage.
The Oilers are the better team. They won the season series and I don’t see them having a problem moving on in this series.
Oilers in 5 Oilers -2.5 for the series is the play.
Ontario: 3.40 Odds at Sports Interaction
Canada: 3.50 Odds at Bovada
USA: +250 Odds at Bovada
Everyone Else: 3.00 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2024/04/22 9:53:10 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Graeme: It was a game of two halves for the Kings. Boy did I make a lot of money off them early in the season. They managed to get it going by the end of the season which was nice.
Oilers had a really bad rough patch early on which can’t be ignored but they really did seem to get things sorted as the season went on.
It’s hard not to see by the Oilers. I don’t think it will be a sweep. But I think we’ll go with a gentleman’s sweep and I’ll take Oilers -1.5 for the series. This miiight be my favourite series bet to be honest. Feels like some great value.
Ontario: 2.15 Odds at Sports Interaction
Canada: 2.20 Odds at Bovada
USA: +120 Odds at Bovada
Everyone Else: 1.86 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2024/04/22 9:53:10 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Annoyingly I want to make a bet on team shots/goalie saves but as the Canes haven’t announced their goaltender yet I haven’t been able to get a line. I’ll check again in an hour.
Edit: Freddie is in net take the under on shots on target / goalie saves against him. Gonna be quality over quantity from NYI.
I’m seein Freddy was announced for Canes.
Okay, let’s reset my stuff. I have placed my units
safely in my bank.
Hope we have some fun with the playoffs.
DISCLAIMER:
Don’t bet with real money on my opinions.
I’m a stupid better, who wastes tons of units to gain minimal profits.
Units now: +0
max combined units used to win a bet: 0
It’s really funny. With the beginning of the playoffs I thought about betting on every home team in the first match, but I didn’t do it. And now I can see, well yeah there was some value in this idea.
I would like to stick to this idea. Reading your thoughts confirms my assumption. Toronto seems not fit enough to beat Boston. That’s why I’m gonna take Boston.
Look at the playoffs 2018. 😛
“Samsonov allowed four goals on 23 shots (.826 SV%) in a contest where the Maple Leafs were outclassed in most areas of the game.” xD
Im really curious to see how this ends.
I take Boston ML @ 1.68 with 2 units