Written by Graeme on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025
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It was some TIIIIIIGHT playoff hockey yesterday, with all of the games being decided by one goal, and two going to OT.
The Habs mounted a big comeback against the Capitals, only to have Ovi score his first playoff OT goal to give the game to Washington.
A big performance from the Stars, who came back in the third period to tie it up, and then got the win over the Avs in OT.
Oilers and Kings just went balls to the wall with the Kings blowing a 4-0 lead only to still win. That is seriously impressive by them.
And it was a bit of a quieter game in Winnipeg, as the Jets beat the Blues 2-1.
Four games today with one series starting. Let’s tackle that first:
Lightning vs Panthers Series Betting Tips:
Scott: The Battle of Florida is going to be great. They played 4 times this season and each team won twice.
The Panthers were led by Barkov, Reinhart, Tkachuk, Verhaeghe and Bennett. For depth they have Marchand, Lundell, Rodrigues and Samoskevich. On defense they brought in Seth Jones who joined Ekblad, Forsling, Mikaela and Schmidt to form a solid defense. In goal they were led, as always, by Bobrovsky and backing him up was Vanecek.
The Lightning are a deep team despite losing their long time captain Stamkos. They are led by league leader Kucherov, Hagel, Point, Guentzel, Cirelli and Bjorkstrand. For depth they have Paul, Gourde, Goncalves and more. On defense they have Hedman, Raddysh, McDonagh, Cernak and Lilleberg. As always it’s Vasilevskiy leading the way in goal and he has Johansson as his backup.
This is going to be a great series. I want to take the Panthers thank to them having thr experience of winning the Cup last season but since 2020 the Lightning have won 2 Cups and been to the finals another time. Also the Panthers are dealing with some injuries to key players and that will surely impact their game when they return.
Lightning win series
Graeme: I have an appointment shortly and have to handle all the odds etc here so my write-up gonna be short and sweet for everything.
Advanced metrics are tight for entire season but lean Floridas way. Other than goals scored which Tampa have the edge.
It’s a bit difficult to guage the metrics from the individual matchup with the December B2B H2H in there, and the game at the end of season when Panthers were in tank mode it seemed.
Anyway looking at that and how Panthers stumbled into the end of the season – I think they will struggle to pick themselves up by that and I’m going to go with Lightning Win Series.
Ontario: 2.00 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Canada: 2.00 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
USA: -105 Odds at Bovada
Everyone Else: 2.00 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2025/04/22 10:31:52 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Leafs vs Senators Game 2 Betting Tips:
Scott: Game 1 was a fun one. The Leafs were ready and had big games from the players they needed to. Marner, Tavares, Matthews and Nylander all had multiple points.
The Leafs also had the advantage on the powerplay and went 3-6. If the Sens can keep the penalties down they will have a better chance. But they need to find away to keep the Leafs stars off of the scoresheet.
Leafs win in regulation
Ontario: 2.00 Odds at 888 Sports.
Canada: 2.00 Odds at 888 Sports.
USA: -105 Odds at Bovada
Everyone Else: 2.00 Odds at 888 Sports.
Graeme: Sens I think showed a fair bit in 5 vs 5. The penalties hurt them bad. They know what they have to do to fix things. Hopefully it dies down a bit. From overall analysis and that game, I’m fine with Sens incl OT win. Only issue of course is Leafs lit the Sens up which I was concerned about – have to hope they are disciplined here, and Ullmark steps up. Two big concerns, but I think there is still enough value here.
Ontario: 2.55 Odds at Sports Interaction
Canada: 2.55 Odds at Sports Interaction
USA: +147 Odds at BetOnline.
Everyone Else: 2.50 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2025/04/22 10:31:52 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Hurricanes vs Devils Game 2 Betting Tips:
Scott: The Canes outshot the Devils 45-24 and game away with the 4-1 win.
The Canes were in control for game 1 and the Devils are now hoping that the injuries to Luke Hughes, Dillon and Glass aren’t too serious as they can’t afford to lose any more players.
I just didn’t see anything from the Devils in game 1 so I’m going with the Canes
Canes win in regulation
Graeme: Yeah it’s looking like a short playoffs for the Devils. Canes in Regulation
Ontario: 1.69 Odds at TonyBet
Canada: 1.69 Odds at TonyBet
USA: -154 Odds at Bovada
Everyone Else: 1.67 Odds at 888 Sports.
Knights vs Wild Game 2 Betting Tips:
Scott: The Knights held the Wild to single digit shot counts in each period and went 2-2 with the power play.
Game 1 was closer than the score would show us as the Knights did score an empty net goal.
I just think the Knights experience will carry them here.
Knights win in regulation
Graeme: Props to the Wild for getting some goals. Knights xGA/60 wasn’t super great int hat one but hey it’s the playoffs. More settled down here. I think Knights in Regulation is fine as well.
Ontario: 1.72 Odds at TonyBet
Canada: 1.72 Odds at TonyBet
USA: -141 Odds at Bovada
Everyone Else: 1.72 Odds at 888 Sports.
(Odds correct as of 2025/04/22 10:31:52 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Do you guys ever change your mind/re asses on a series call after the first 2 games? The way the series spread can change sometimes in a bettors favor… Or just stick with the call
Like I mean,,,Today…. I still think TO/OTT is going 6-7 games BUT,,, if OTT does not re adjust and cool down on the physical hack Neanderthal game they brought Sunday,,, then this one is done very soon. I was able to get Sens+2.5 on the series @ -110 BUT Im not even comfortable with it after last games performance, LOL!
We’ll see tonight
Oh yes – when it comes to individual game bets, we don’t consider our series bet at all. As so much can change. The series bet is more for fun analysis etc. Once we write that out, we don’t consider it at all (except to go back and look at our mentality for it)