Written by Graeme & Scott on Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021
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Tampa Bay take a 2-0 series lead back home after a solid 2-1 victory over the Hurricanes.
Tampa only had 15 shots on net but that was enough as they managed to score twice. Vasilevskiy really wasn’t put under too much pressure already.
Canes could be without Trocheck too. That series isn’t over but the fat lady is already warming up.
It’s no rest for the wicked today as the Montreal Canadiens take on the Winnipeg Jets in Game 1 of that series. Will the Habs carry the momentum? Or will the well rested Jets take them to school?
Speaking of being taken to school – we’ve got Avs vs Knights Game 2. No confirmation yet on goalie for the Knights but it is looking likely to be Fleury.
Here are our thoughts:
Jets vs Canadiens Series Betting Tips:
Scott: Well this is a tough one to try to predict.
Both teams pulled off huge upsets in the 1st round, both clinched a spot in the playoffs late and both have one of the best goalies in the league.
The played each other 9 times during the regular season with the Jets winning 6 of those games and 3 needed overtime.
The Jets swept the Oilers which was no easy task. The had little pressure on them as everyone expected the Oilers to win and that allowed the Jets to just focus on their game. The Leafs were up 3-1 in the series but the Habs stayed with it winning 3 in a row.
The Jets forward group is strong with Wheeler, Scheifele and Connor leading the way. But also have Ehlers, Stastny, Dubois and Copp to give them depth. The Habs don’t have the star power the Jets do but they have a team that can and will give you problems with Gallagher, Suzuki, Anderson, Toffoli and Kotkaniemi as their main guys with Staal and Perry the veteran guys who still have lots to give. The Jets have the advantage here.
On defense the Habs have the ageless Weber, Petry, Chiarot and Edmondson. The Jets have Morrissey, Pionk, Forbort and Demelo. The Habs have the advantage here.
In goal it’s tough to predict a winner. Hellebuyck won the Vezina Trophy last year and his save percentage this season was only .006 less than his Vezina winning season. Price looked great in round one. He looked like the Price of old and if he can continue to keep that level of play up then the Habs are going to be tough to beat.
The Jets have had the extra time off between rounds after their sweep vs the Canadiens who needed 7 games with 2 of them needing overtime. Will the rest help the Jets? With the Habs having no time off between rounds help them? It’s tough to call a winner here.
Yes the sweep was a huge accomplishment for the Jets but the Habs coming back to beat their long time rivals is also a huge accomplishment. With the way the Price is playing I have to go with Montreal to win this series. It’s going to be a great series that could and should go long
Canadiens win in 6/7
Canada: 2.20 Odds at Sports Interaction (SIA) + free $20 bet.
USA: +120 Odds at Bovada.
Everyone Else: 2.15 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv.
(Odds correct as of 2021/06/02 2:57:50 PM EST but are subject to change.)
Graeme: Awesome write-up from Scott.
When you go by the advanced metrics, the Jets are simply a better team. Of course the Leafs were too. And in case you forgot – the Leafs lost that series. After being 3-1 up!
Honestly I really liked how the Jets handled the Oilers. They performed very well tactically and strategically and also had that big comeback win that was massive.
When it mattered they got the job doe.
It’s weird but I am just not sold on Montreal. Could be because they’re my team and I am a born pessimist. The Jets have the speed too and Ehlers will be a good factor.
Cannot dismiss the Habs of course and by god I’ll be cheering for them. But when I look at what I saw from both series that got them here – I gotta go with Winnipeg.
Jets win series
Canada: 1.74 Odds at BetOnline..
USA: -135 Odds at BetOnline..
Everyone Else: 1.74 Odds at BetOnline..
(Odds correct as of 2021/06/02 2:57:50 PM EST but are subject to change.)
Avalanche vs Knights Game 2 Betting Tips:
Scott: Game 1 was no contest. The Avs completely destroyed the Knights and the Knights let their emotions get the best of them. Reaves trying to punish, or put in hospital maybe, the Avs was out of control. He cross checked Grubauer then gave Graves a cheap shot which left him down on the ice bleeding for quite some time. I love the rough stuff but that was unacceptable. I love when a couple guys drop the mitts and throw hands and move on but when one guy doesn’t see it coming it’s not cool.
Lehner got the start for the Knights and that was a mistake. I hope for the Knights they go back to Fleury for this one.
After the way the kicked they asses off of the Knights you have to like the Avs chances in this one and still being at home helps too. I expect the Knights to have a better game but with the way Reaves acted in the 3rd the Avs will be looking to throw another beat down on the Knights but in the acceptable way, on the scoreboard.
Avalanche -1.5
Canada: 2.40 Odds at BetOnline..
USA: +140 Odds at BetOnline..
Everyone Else: 2.40 Odds at BetOnline..
(Odds correct as of 2021/06/02 2:57:50 PM EST but are subject to change.)
Graeme: I mean what is there to say about that last game? It’s like the Knights knew it was coming and threw Lehner to the wolves.
Fleury is likely in net tonight. Will he be able to change things? In his games against them he had a couple of shutouts but also a couple of games where he conceded quite a few.
I really wasn’t happy with what the Knights put out there the other night and the Avs look unstoppable. If Avs keep playing the way they are they might as well just hand them the cup.
Avs in Regulation
Canada: 1.80 Odds at 888 Sports.
USA: -135 Odds at BetOnline..
Everyone Else: 1.80 Odds at 888 Sports.
(Odds correct as of 2021/06/02 2:57:50 PM EST but are subject to change.)
