Written by Graeme on Monday, August 10th, 2020
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The highest paid offense in hockey brought the qualifiers to a close by being shut out for the 2nd time in the series, as the Leafs lost to the Blue Jackets 3-0.
Just an absolute abomination in Toronto. No excuse for that. The Leafs have yet to win a playoff series since 2004. That is just insane.
But hey it is what it is. We move onto the NHL Playoffs now. As it all begins on Tuesday we’re a bit tight for time so we won’t bother with series futures and who we think will win each series.
it all starts on Tuesday, August 11th with the Lightning vs Blue Jackets at 3pm EST. Well Tampa will hopefully have a bit of motivation going into that one considering the way last year went.
Let’s hop into the games:
Blue Jackets vs Lightning Game 1 Betting Tips:
February 10th: Blue Jackets 1-2 Lightning
Graeme: The Blue Jackets come in off a tough series against the Leafs. Korpisalo was an excellent performer there. In the round robins, Tampa were able to beat the Bruins and Capitals.
One big question is if Korpisalo can perform at that same rate. He was a legitimate series changer if you look at the xG stats.
Last years playoffs many felt that one issue with Tampa was over confidence. You have to think they won’t be over confident this year. This is one where I think Tampa will win the series after the Jackets just run out of gas. Tampa will be missing both Stamkos and Hedman.
This is one of those bets where I am fine with getting it wrong as I still believe there is mathematical value in this one regardless and will bet against Tampa. It could be a hard fought game so I will go with Jackets or Draw if Korp is in net meaning as long as Tampa aren’t winning by the end of the 3rd period, this bet is a win.
Canada: 1.86 Odds at Casumo
USA: -130 Odds at BetOnline..
Everyone Else: 1.86 Odds at Casumo
(Odds correct as of 2020/08/10 8:10:11 PM EST but are subject to change.)
Scott: A rematch of last years first round series when the Jackets pullled off one of the most stunning upsets in NHL history.
The Jackets beat the Leafs in the opening round in 5 games. In the round robin the Lightning went 2-1.
The Jackets pulled off the upset last year but this time around they wont have Panarin, Duchene and Bobrovsky. But the Lightning may be without Hedman and Stamos.
Another series where its hard to pick a winner as last year showed us that anything can happen. The Lightning can score and led the league in GPG and the Jackets seem to find a way to keep themselves in games with their scoring having two of the 5 games vs the Leafs hit 7. Both of these teams will be looking to make a statement here. The Jackets want to show that last year was no fluke and the Lightning are looking for revenge.
Over 5.5 incl OT
Canada: 2.21 Odds at BetOnline..
USA: +121 Odds at BetOnline..
Everyone Else: 2.21 Odds at BetOnline..
(Odds correct as of 2020/08/10 8:10:11 PM EST but are subject to change.)
Flames vs Stars Game 1 Betting Tips:
October 10th: Stars 2-3 Flames (Shootout)
November 13th: Flames 1-3 Stars
December 22nd: Stars 1-5 Flames
Graeme: The Flames qualified with a bit of an asterisk beside their name thanks to the injuries the Jets suffered. Now they take on the Dallas Stars who in the round robins lost to the Knights 5-3, Avs 4-0 and then beat the Blues in a shootout.
Flames took full advantage of the Jets and will be feeling confident as they take on the Stars. It’ll all be reliant on the Flames offense and if they can take out the Stars tight defense.
Flames looked nice and balanced in the games against the Jets with the goals spread around which I like to see. They’re a good group. Also I thought Dallas were a bit worrisome in regard to how many shots they allowed per game in the round robins.
I’m good riding Flames to win incl OT
Scott: The Flames beat the Jets in the play-in round in 4 games. The Stars didn’t have a great roind robin going 1-2 with the win coming in OT.
The Flames looked good in the opening round and the Stars may be without Seguin and Bishop who are both listed as day to day.
Flames win incl OT
Canada: 2.01 Odds at BetOnline..
USA: +101 Odds at BetOnline..
Everyone Else: 2.01 Odds at BetOnline..
(Odds correct as of 2020/08/10 8:10:11 PM EST but are subject to change.)
Hurricanes vs Bruins Game 1 Betting Tips:
December 3rd: Bruins 2-0 Hurricanes
Graeme: Man there is not really much worth writing about here for me. During the round robins I was not impressed by the Bruins at all and said a couple of times to fade them.
If they were just waiting for the playoffs to unleash their fury? Sure we’ll learn that on Game 1. But man the Hurricanes machine at better than 50/50 odds is probably one of the no-brainer bets I’ve made this entire season. Like I said if the Bruins turn on the magic then cool I’ll reassess – but I’m good with Hurricanes incl OT.
Canada: 2.22 Odds at BetOnline..
USA: +122 Odds at BetOnline..
Everyone Else: 2.22 Odds at BetOnline..
(Odds correct as of 2020/08/10 8:10:11 PM EST but are subject to change.)
Scott: The Bruins had the best record during the shortened regular season but lost all 3 games in the round robin. The Hurricanes were the only team that swept their opening round matchup.
This should be a good series and both teams had opposite results in the start of these playoffs.
I like the Bruins to win this series and I’ll go with them to win this game too.
Bruins win incl OT
Canada: 1.74 Odds at BetOnline..
USA: -135 Odds at BetOnline..
Everyone Else: 1.74 Odds at BetOnline..
(Odds correct as of 2020/08/10 8:10:11 PM EST but are subject to change.)
Blackhawks vs Knights Game 1 Betting Tips:
October 22nd: Blackhawks 1-2 Knights (Shootout)
November 13th: Golden Knights 3-5 Blackhawks
December 10th: Golden Knights 5-1 Blackhawks
Graeme: This is a series people will be expecting lots of goals from. The Knights have Pacioretty practising and ready to play very soon which is awesome news.
I’d like to think the Knights don’t underestimate the Blackhawks. They have a much more formidable defence than the Oilers too and the Hawks could struggle against that.
Honestly I hope for a lot of fun and crazy high scoring games. I just don’t think the Hawks offensive output is sustainable and the Knights are one of those teams who are great at these sort of high scoring games and managing to put the puck in the net a few times more.
Knights looked hungry in the round robins and I’m good with Knights In Regulation.
Canada: 1.84 Odds at Casumo
USA: -125 Odds at Bovada.
Everyone Else: 1.84 Odds at Casumo
(Odds correct as of 2020/08/10 8:10:11 PM EST but are subject to change.)
Scott: The Hawks surprised everyone when they beat the Oilers in 4 games. The Knights cruised through the round robin going 3-0 to claim top spot.
The Knights should take this series but the Hawks did just upset McDavid and Draisaitl. The Hawks will need to continue their hot streak to have a chance in this series.
The Knights are favorites here and to make it worth a bet it would need to be in regulation. Ill wait until the first game of this seris is completed to make a prediction on a winner. Instead I’ll go with the over as all games so far by the Hawks and the Knights have gone to 7 of more except the last game when the Hawks won 3-2.
Over 6.5 incl OT
Canada: 2.12 Odds at BetOnline..
USA: +112 Odds at BetOnline..
Everyone Else: 2.12 Odds at BetOnline..
(Odds correct as of 2020/08/10 8:10:11 PM EST but are subject to change.)
