Written by Graeme on Sunday, May 15th, 2022
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It was joy for one Canadian team and heartbreak for another in the NHL playoffs last night.
Connor McDavid really stepped up for the Oilers these last few games, and he got a goal and assist last night as they defeated the LA Kings in Game 7. It was an extremely dominant game from the Oilers, and the type of performance you need in the playoffs.
The Toronto Maple Leafs lost their Game 7. What a disappointment that crowd was – a lot different from Game 1. Leafs fans will at least be happy they have the chopped off goal to complain about. Here are some fun stats taken from /r/hockey:
- The Leafs have now lost 10 consecutive games with the opportunity to close out a series
- The Maple Leafs now have the longest Cup drought in NHL history at 54 seasons and counting
- The Toronto Maple Leafs STILL have the longest active streak of not winning a playoff round.
- The Leafs have lost a winner-take-all final game in five straight playoff series. The probability of that having happened? 0.0036%, or 1 in 27,778.
- The Maple Leafs are the first team in MLB/NBA/NHL history to lose a winner-take-all game in the opening round of the playoffs 5 years in a row.
It really is a shame for the Leafs though as this is their best team in years and they played well. Quite unfortunate.
The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Boston Bruins to eliminate them.
Two more games then we move onto the next round!
Penguins vs Rangers Bets:
Scott: The Pens jumped out to a 2-0 after the 1st but the Rangers responded with 3 unanswered and the game was tied at 3-3 after the 2nd. It looked like overtime was about to happen but the Kreider scored with less than 2 minutes left and Copp added an empty net for the 5-3 win.
Without Crosby the Pens are still a strong team but he was missed in game 6. With game 7 in New York the Rangers have the edge. This has been a close series and with the Rangers winning in Pittsburgh for the first time in the series they will have momentum. But the Pens may be forced to rush players back at this point. I had picked the Rangers to win the series but the odds for them to win this game males it have to be a regulation pick and I have to pass on that.
No Bet
Graeme: Before this series began, I picked the Rangers to win it. I thought they would do it in 5 or 6. I’ve been really disappointed in them honestly.
However that prediction was of course without knowing Crosby would be out. That has been a big factor. If it wasn’t for that, I think the Rangers would be done and dusted and my series bet would be dead right now.
No confirmation on whether Crosby is playing tonight or not. From practice reports, it does seem a possibility. I also heard Jarry could be back as well.
If it was me I’d base it on Sid the Kid; If Crosby is playing, bet the Penguins. If he isn’t, bet the Rangers. Although if you have a series bet on the Rangers at 1.90 odds like I do, I’d NOT be doubling down at the much poorer odds. Ride it out.
In saying that – man, 2.27 odds is pretty darn juicy. Rangers were the better side in that last game and deserved the win but man that one could have so easily went the other way.
Anyway here’s the best odds for both sides right now:
Rangers Win incl OT
Ontario: 1.71 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Rest of Canada: 1.75 Odds at BetOnline.
USA: -133 Odds at BetOnline.
Everyone Else: 1.75 Odds at BetOnline.
(Odds correct as of 2022/05/15 8:16:31 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Penguins Win incl OT
Ontario: 2.27 Odds at Sports Interaction
Rest of Canada: 2.27 Odds at Sports Interaction
USA: +120 Odds at Bovada
Everyone Else: 2.20 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2022/05/15 8:16:31 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Stars vs Flames Bets:
Scott: The Stars scored 2, then the Flames scored 2 of their own but that was all they could get and the Stars scored and added an empty net for the 4-2 win.
As any series that has gone to a game 7 this is a tough one to call. The Flames at home where they will have the home crowd and ice advantage but with the way this series has gone I have no idea who wins and moves onto the next round.
I had picked the Flames and I do like them to advance but like the game mentioned above it would need to be in regulation and this has been a close series and I can’t back that so I have to skip
No Bet
Graeme: I mean we all want the Flames to go through right? We need that Battle of Alberta in the playoffs. I’m sure even Oilers fans are rooting for them right now.
Flames have been overall the better side in this series and man I don’t know how they’ve managed to drag this one into a Game 7. They should have wrapped this one up earlier. The total advanced metrics for the entire series are very lopsided in favour of Calgary.
But that’s the problem. They ARE on Game 7. They had the chance to wrap this up and couldn’t do it. Dallas has managed to come here once and sneak away with a victory.
Then the odds. Calgary are way too overfavoured for my liking. They don’t have the momentum coming into this one because they lost that crucial Game 6 to wrap it up. Their offense just isn’t playing like we thought they would other than Game 4.
I dunno – I think I would rather be on the Stars here in all honestly. I will be cheering on Calgary. But my brain says the Stars are a solid value bet and will be who I am placing bet on. I don’t mind losing if I feel there is value on it.
If you’re betting on the Flames, I’d suggest in regulation. They don’t have the best overtime record and man if they don’t wrap this up in regulation, I’d be very concerned.
Best Odds for Stars to Win:
Ontario: 2.71 Odds at Sports Interaction
Rest of Canada: 2.71 Odds at Sports Interaction
USA: +171 Odds at BetOnline.
Everyone Else: 2.71 Odds at BetOnline.
(Odds correct as of 2022/05/15 8:16:31 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Best Odds for Flames in Regulation:
Ontario: 1.86 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Rest of Canada: 1.86 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
USA: -135 Odds at Bovada
Everyone Else: 1.86 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2022/05/15 8:16:31 AM EST but are subject to change.)
I think the home teams pull it out but with Sid a maybe and Jarry starting it’s too iffy to take the Blueshirts. Flames are very overvalued. Wouldn’t surprise me to see them lose 3-2 OT with Robertson getting the winner. For bets I’m going with under in both games. Unders were 3-0 in G7 last night.
GLTA SDB
No bets today, but great games to watch!
Lean: both games UNDER
We’ve only seen 6 Round One Game 7’s since 2017, before this year’s playoffs. Five were OVERs. But there is a “Game 7” playoff pattern on ice which I think started showing up in Game 6’s, which is that the teams settle into fast constant hockey, more constant body checks, more blocking shots, lots of turnovers, and in the last period the Referees tend to lay off the minor penalty whistle and let the play continue. The “starting the playoffs” sloppy stupid penalties are now few, the players have adjusted (most of them). (was Point faking it?)
The result is more exhaustion, more mistakes, more unpredictable events, more end-to-end rushes and breaks of 3 on 2 and 2 on 1, and chances for goals go up, but that doesn’t mean necessarily more goals. Players are exhausted. The goalies are being magnificent this year and the shot and pass blocking is intense. Daring and bold players still need to get in close to finish off putting the puck in the net and that’s the big barrier.
I’ll wait until next round to risk anything.