Los Angeles Looking Unbeatable in Semis

Pro Hockey Playoffs:

There’s really no stopping Los Angeles in Pro Hockey betting.  L.A. drubbed Phoenix in the second game of their conference final series 4 to 0 on Tuesday night to take a 2 to 0 game lead in the series.  Los Angeles now returns home where they have a decent chance of going up 3 to 0 and possibly completing a sweep against the team from the Valley of the Sun.

For New York, their 3 to 0 Game 1 victory over rival New Jersey was all about defense.  NY’s goalie, Henrick Lundqvist, was good for 21 saves and New York outshot New Jersey 28 to 21.  They shut down four New Jersey power play opportunities and won 36 face-offs to New Jersey’s 25.  After Game 2 on their home ice, New York faces New Jersey on the road in Game 3.  Will they be as effective defensively?

Keep reading for analysis and free picks!

NHL

Game 3
Phoenix Coyotes +1.5 (-175) at Los Angeles Kings -1.5 (+155)

When:  May 17, 2012 at 9:00 pm EST

TV:  NBC Sports Network

Unless goaltender Jonathan Quick gets hurt from now until Thursday night, the L.A. Kings should have no trouble blanking the Phoenix Coyotes again.  Sure, the Coyotes could sneak one buy Quick, but one is all that they’re likely to get.

The Kings have outscored their opponents 35 to 16 during these playoffs.  They are now up 8 to 2 in goals scored against Phoenix.  L.A. is an incredible 10 and 1 in the 11 games that they’ve played during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  They’ve been as dominant as any hockey team that I’ve seen in a long time. Unless Phoenix comes up with something new, and it’s doubtful that they will, the Kings should roll in Game 3.

Phoenix, besides being overmatched in this series, is simply tired.  The Coyotes played a brutal 6 games against the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round, where 5 out of the 6 games went into overtime.  Then they had to play 5 games versus Nashville.  The Predators laid down for Phoenix in that series, but, still, the Coyotes had 11 playoff games under their belts before taking on the terrific Kings in Game 1 of this series.  They can be forgiven for their play considering that Phoenix was the longest shot on the board, at 15 to 1, to win the Western Conference, but the facts can’t be denied, L.A. is the better team in this series.

Pick:  Los Angeles Kings

 

New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils

When:  May 19, 2012 at 1:00 pm EST

TV:  NBC

The Rangers offense is, unlike the Kings’ O right now, just okay.  NY only shoots 28.5 times a game, twentieth in the NHL, and they score only 2.7 goals per game, eleventh in the NHL.  New Jersey’s offense isn’t much better, 2.6 goals per game, fifteenth in the NHL, with 27.5 shots on goal, twenty-seventh in the NHL.

The difference between the two teams is that the Rangers bring a trap style, shot blocking, defense to the party that has been ultra-effective during these playoffs.  Only one other team, the Washington Capitals, have blocked more shots than New York, and the Rangers beat Washington in a tough 7 games series in the second round.

New Jersey is a very good team, though, and going back home could give them something to play for if NYR goes up 2 to 0 on them in this series after Game 2 on Wednesday night.  If the Devils find a way to beat the Rangers in Game 2, New York lost Game 2 versus both Ottawa in the first round and Philadelphia in the second round, New York might be the team to back in Game 3.

The New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils are both very good teams.  Unlike the L.A. Kings and Phoenix Coyotes series, where the Kings are obviously the better squad, the Rangers and Devils are pretty much even across the board.  It’s difficult to see where either team has an edge and that should make for a very closely contested series. 

Hockey handicappers should consider betting on the team that loses Game 2 to win Game 3.  Neither team is going to lay down in any game in this series, the third goal in the Rangers 3 to 0 first game victory came with an open net for instance.

Watch Game 2 and think about backing the loser to come back strong in Game 3.

Pick:  Loser of Game 2

1

2

Los Angeles Favorite to Win the Western Conference

Western Conference Futures

It’s time for a Hockey Futures update now that Los Angeles and Phoenix, just a few short weeks ago the two biggest underdogs in the Sportsbook to win the hockey championship, have both ascended to the Western Conference Finals.  L.A. and Phoenix got to where they are by taking on favored teams and smacking those favored teams in their mouths.

Los Angeles faced +150 Western Conference favorite Vancouver in the first round.  All Los Angeles did was beat Vancouver 4 games to 1.  Then, in the second round, Los Angeles took on second choice St. Louis.  L.A.’s rival was at +550 to win the Western Conference when the playoffs started.  St. Louis didn’t win a single game in the series, losing 0 to 4 to L.A. and being outscored 15 to 6.

Phoenix was a bigger dog than L.A.  Many hockey handicappers gave Los Angeles the benefit of the doubt.  L.A. was a +800 underdog to win the Western Conference when the playoffs started.  Phoenix was a +1500 underdog to make it all the way to the Finals.  The Coyotes beat Chicago, as a big underdog, 4 games to 2.  5 out of the 6 games in the series went into overtime and Phoenix won 3 out of the 5 OT games.  Phoenix had no trouble in their second round matchup versus Nashville.  They beat Nashville 4 games to 1 and outscored the highly-regarded Predators 12 to 9.

Now, the Los Angeles Kings and Phoenix Coyotes are two of the favorites to win the NHL Stanley Cup.

 

NHL Stanley Cup Futures

Playoff Series Prices

Los Angeles Kings                  -165
Phoenix Coyotes                     +135

Analysis:  The Coyotes defense is the reason that they are only a series away from making it to the Stanley Cup Finals.  Phoenix allowed Nashville to score only 3 goals in the final 3 games of that series. They dominated the Predators usually terrific offense; the Preds were ranked eighth in goals scored per game at close to 3.

The Coyotes’ offense wasn’t that great in the series, however.  Phoenix scored only 3 goals in the final 3 games.  They scored 9 total goals in the first two games of the series and scored a total of 17 goals against the Chicago Blackhawks in their first round series.  The lack of goal production versus Nashville could be a sign that Phoenix is slowing down.  After all, the Coyotes have already played 6 overtime games during these playoffs.

Los Angeles has turned into the most complete team in the National Hockey League.  It’s incredible that the Kings have won 17 out of their last 23 total games.  They dominated Stanley Cup favorite Vancouver by running out to a 3 game to 0 series lead in the first round before obliterating St. Louis’s awesome defense, 15 goals to 6, in 4 straight games in round 2.  The performance versus the Blues was very telling as L.A. found a way to get pucks past the number one ranked defense in the NHL.  St. Louis allowed less than two goals per game on average.  In the four victories versus the Blues, the Kings scored an average of 3.75 goals per contest.

The Kings’ goaltender, Jonathan Quick, has been absolutely brilliant.  He’s an amazing force and, with the Kings’ offense playing so well, it’s going to be hard for hockey handicappers to make a case for the Coyotes to win this series.  The Kings should dominate with Quick keeping Phoenix’s offense from pushing the puck past him, and L.A.’s offense finding a way to get a few pucks past the Coyotes’ stellar goaltender, Mike Smith.

L.A. might not sweep Phoenix the way that they swept the Blues in the second-round,  The Coyotes’ heart is unquestioned, but they should find a way to win four games versus Phoenix and to march into the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Los Angeles Kings will go from zeroes, the eighth seeded team in the West, to heroes, Stanley Cup Finals’ favorites by winning their Western Conference Finals Series against the Phoenix Coyotes.

 

Pick:  Los Angeles Kings

1

2

Philly at NJ, St. Louis at L.A., PHX at Nashville Playoff Picks

Hockey Playoffs

Things are heating up in Pro Hockey betting! The Playoffs have never looked fresher with five of the eight teams remaining looking for their first ever championship. Two of the teams with banners hanging in their arenas face off when Philadelphia takes on likely short-handed New Jersey. In the West, St. Louis tries to bounce back in Hollywoodon May 3.  On May 4, Phoenix travels to Nashville.

With one of their star players out of action, New Jersey scored 4 goals in the final period of their Game 2 victory over Philadelphia.  Now, NJ tries to take a 2 to 1 series lead, likely without star player Ilya Kovalchuk again on Thursday night.  Also on Thursday night, St. Louis tries to bounce back in Los Angeles after losing 2 to 5 to L.A. in Game 2.  Then, on Friday night, Phoenix battles Nashville in a Game 4 that could even up the series.

Keep reading for analysis and free picks!

 

NHL Playoffs – Free Picks

Game 3

Philadelphia Flyers at New Jersey Devils

When:  May 3, 2012 at 7:30 pm EST

Betting Odds:  New Jersey -120, Total 5.5

Down 1-0 going into the third period of Tuesday night’s game, the Devils absolutely exploded, putting a serious beat down on the home team Flyers in Game 2 by sending 4 pucks into the net.  The score ended up NJ 4 and Philly 1.  Can the Devils go up a game in this series now that it’s switched to New Jersey?

Ilya Kovalchuk, who leads the Devils in points, 83, and shots, 310, is listed as questionable for Game 3. NJ outshot the Flyers 12 to 2 in the second period of Game 2.  Not only that, but the Devils’ goalie, Martin Brodeur, was good for 19 saves. Only 19 saves, meaning that the Devils’ D was on point the entire night. 

New Jersey’s D is playing too well right now.  Even if Kovalchuk sits out the third contest, Philadelphia won’t have an answer for the Devils’ awesome defense, and that’s the reason why the Flyers are likely to lose Game 3 on Thursday night.

Pick:  New Jersey Devils

 

St. Louis Blues at Los Angeles Kings

When:  May 3, 2012 at 10:00 pm EST

Betting Odds:  Los Angeles -115, Total 4.5

St. Louis’s biggest issue so far in this series, L.A. is up 2 to 0, is of the mental variety.  The Blues are so horrible on the offensive end of the ice that they feel that any time they get an advantage that they have to take advantage by playing very aggressively to get the puck into the net.  When only concentrating on their offense, St. Louis has ended up allowing the Kings to exploit them.

The Kings have outscored the Blues 8 to 3 in the two games of this series.  They’ve scored 4 goals short-handed during the playoffs and are 5 and 0 on the road.  They return to L.A. sky high and feeling like they can put the Blues away.  Not so fast, Kings.  St. Louis is still arguably the best defensive team in the NHL.  The Blues are ranked first in goals against, 1.9, and first in shots against, 26.7 per contest.

Although St. Louis hasn’t played like it so far this series, the defense is just too good to continue to allow a team like Los Angeles to rack up goal after goal.  The Blues figure to play much more conservatively on the road against the Kings on Thursday night than they did in the first two games in St. Louis.  That should lead to a Blues victory and the first step to getting them back into this series.  

Pick:  St. Louis Blues

 

Game 4

Phoenix Coyotes at Nashville Predators

When:  May 4, 2012 at 9:00 pm EST

The Predators are a -165 favorite in Game 3 on Wednesday night.  How that game plays out will go a long way in determining the odds for Game 4 on Friday night.  Surprisingly, Nashville is still a big favorite even though both Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn are suspended from playing in Game 3 due to breaking team rules.

Perhaps, GM David Polie and coach Barry Trotz are trying to fire up a squad that just didn’t appear in sync at all in the first two games of this series.  Either way, it’s not a good sign for the Predators going into Game 3 and, depending on the Game 3 result, it may be a terrible sign going into Game 4. 

The Coyotes are a relentless bunch.  Phoenix has gone into overtime in 6 out of their 8 playoff games so far during the post-season.  They’ve won 4 out of the 6 OT games including taking Game 1 from the Predators 4 to 3.  The Coyotes beat Nashville 5 to 3 in Game 2.  Phoenix has shown no signs of quitting in this series while the Predators have shown nothing but a lack of interest and it’s getting worse.

Polie and Trotz’s hope of firing up their players comes at a terrible time.  The Coyotes could very well end the series on May 4 with a fourth straight victory.  Even if Nashville pulls something from underneath the ice in Game 3 and somehow beats Phoenix without Radulov and Kostitsyn, the Coyotes will regroup in Game 4 and punish Nashville.

I like Phoenix.

Pick:  Phoenix Coyotes 

1

2

New York, Florida Look To Close Out Game 7 At Home Thursday Night

Thursday Night Game 7′s:

Pro Hockey betting has had one underlying trend this year: that perennial playoff teams are getting ousted in the first round. Vancouver is gone, along with Pittsburgh, Detroit, San Jose and Chicago. Even crazier is the fact that St. Louis is currently the favorite to win the cup in Pro Hockey Futures after starting the year as 50-1 dogs. Can the Devils avoid the fate of the teams listed above, and can Ottawa join Los Angeles as the second eight seed to drop the top team in the conference?

There is nothing like a Game 7 atmosphere in any playoffs like the NHL’s version. Trust me. Get in on the action for Thursday night with these epic finale picks. Best of luck!

NEW YORK RANGERS over Ottawa Senators
Thursday, April 26th — 3:00pm EST
NYR – Lundqvist -1.5 +170 / -165 ML / O 5.0 +110
OTT – Anderson +1.5 -210 / +145 ML / U 5.0 -130

Two words here: Henrik Lundqvist. He’s easily one of the best goalies remaining in the playoffs and nobody’s been surprised that the late surging Senators have been able to find some grease between his pads. The Senators are far better than a normal eight seed in these playoffs.

That being said I really don’t trust Craig Anderson, the 30-year old journeyman netminder for the Senators. It’s a Game 7. In Manhattan. In front of the rabid Rangers fans. The boys in blue posted a marvelous 28-13-1-2 SU record at home during the regular season, and opened this series with a win at home. Expect them to close out the troublesome Senators with a proper bookend victory at Madison Square Garden.

FLORIDA PANTHERS over New Jersey Devils
Thursday, April 26th — 3:00pm EST
FLA – Theodore +1.5 -300 / +105 ML / O 5.0 +110
NJD – Brodeur -1.5 +250 / -125 ML / U 5.0 -130

To be fair, I really don’t like entrusting any of my money with a guy like Jose Theodore in a Game 7 against the Devils. He has a remarkable save percentage at .919 in the playoffs (for him anyways) but the team in front of him is just as responsible. This pick is as much a hunch play as anything else.

We’ve already seen Pittsburgh, San Jose, Chicago and Detroit bounced from the post season. Those are perennial playoff contenders and New Jersey fits right in that class. If anything, we’re seeing the dawn of a new era in the NHL and all the little upstarts are sneaking in to the second round. Florida was the higher seed by divine intervention (they won the lackluster Southeast Division) but have proven that they belong in this series.

As great as Brodeur has been throughout his career, I just can’t seem him pulling through in this kind of game. Florida is damn hungry for a playoff series win and are 2-1 SU at home in this series. Whatever you do, don’t take the puckline because this is going to be a tight game. I love the Florida moneyline in this game, especially with how well they’ve matched up against a fairly fortunate New Jersey team all series long. Expect them to close out the pesky Devils and continue the string of strange first round exits by marquee teams.

Previewing The Four Game 4’s On Thursday Night

Pro Hockey Playoffs Free Picks

Halfway through the first round of NHL playoff betting and we’re already being reminded why this brand of the post season is perhaps the best around in the four majors. Vancouver thought the Hockey Gods had forgotten about last year’s riots. The defending champions are in a grind against a perennial playoff letdown team. Florida and Phoenix both lead their first round series.

Can you ask for anything better? If you answered “Some Game 4 picks please!” then your wish has been granted. Home team in caps and starting goalies are listed as of Wednesday morning. Good luck!

Boston Bruins over WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Thursday, April 19th — Boston Leads Series 2-1
BOS – Tim Thomas -1.5 +220 / -135 ML / O 5.0 -130
WAS – Braden Holtby +1.5 -260 / +115 ML / U 5.0 +110

Every fiber in my body wants to take Washington in this one. They’ve played a stunning variety of physical hockey, and rattled the cage of Tim Thomas on a nightly basis. The problem is that one of their leading playmakers won’t be on the ice since Niklas Backstrom has to serve a Game 4 suspension for an ugly cross check on Rich Peverley. You just don’t want to piss off the Bruins and Washington will find out why on Thursday night. I’d personally stay away from the TOTAL but if you like dancing with the devil I actually like the UNDER without Backstrom adding to Tim Thomas’s troubles.

Florida Panthers over NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Thursday, April 19th — Florida Leads Series 2-1
FLA – Jose Theodore +1.5 -210 / +155 ML / O 5.0 -120
NJ – Martin Brodeur -1.5 +170 / -175 ML / U 5.0 +100

Screw history. The Panthers notched a staggering comeback victory in Game 3 and did it over the perennial playoff contending Devils. Even crazier is that they chased future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur out of net. Sure, Jose Theodore reminded everyone why he got bounced around after being unceremoniously banished from Montreal, but the Panthers skaters did enough to win the game.

Nobody was that high on the Panthers but this particular playoff season has been one for the dogs, and in my mind Florida has always been in the best position to move to the second round. A great power play against a frustrated and flustered New Jersey team that can’t find answers or protect leads is a great formula for another road upset in the UNDER.

St. Louis Blues over SAN JOSE SHARKS
Thursday, April 19th — St. Louis Leads Series 2-1
STL – Brian Elliot +1.5 -320 / -105 ML / O 5.0 +100
SJ – Antti Niemi -1.5 +260 / -115 ML / U 5.0 -120

The Sharks have the star power, but the Blues have the obvious staying power. With great depth through their top three lines, and every player biting on their defensive mindset, it’s hard to bet against the Blues at this point. We all know San Jose loves to implode in the playoffs, we just didn’t expect it to come this early. San Jose’s frustrations will mount if the Blues don’t allow them in the game early on and that’ll lead to penalties. St. Louis’ power play has been the difference in this series no matter who’s in net. I like both Elliot and Halak in the playoffs, and either one will be assisted by the Blues’ staunch defense.

Phoenix Coyotes over CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Thursday, April 19th — Phoenix Leads Series 2-1
PHO – Mike Smith +1.5 -220 / +145 ML / O 5.5 +120
CHI – Corey Crawford -1.5 +180 / -165 ML / U 5.5 -140

Things look dimmer for the Blackhawks without Marion Hossa. The problem is that the physical players that helped them win a Stanley Cup two seasons ago aren’t around to really react to the hit Raffi Torres laid on the Hawks’ leading point getter this year. Hossa is recovering and will likely sit out for Game 4 and possibly more.

Despite the pedigree of the Blackhawks franchise compared to the wayward Coyotes, this series is as close to the chest as they get but the edge right now goes to the brick wall in net for Phoenix. Mike Smith has been as sturdy as any goalie in the playoffs and is playing with a chip on his shoulder after being run over in Game 2 behind his own net. The Blackhawks will miss the scoring potential of Hossa, and don’t have the toughness necessary to react accordingly. A strange and unexpected deficit awaits them in Game 4 of Pro Hockey betting.

1

2

Boston and New York Teams to Back

Eastern Conference Free Picks:

A quick rundown of how to gamble hockey: the spread is usually always -1.5 for the favorite and that means that your bet has to win by at least two goals. There’s the moneyline, which goes to the straight up victor and the TOTAL works the same as in all sports. It’s essentially identical to baseball betting from a numbers standpoint.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get to the series openers. Since we’re running this on Thursday (and submitting picks on Wednesday) I don’t know what happened between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia yet. However, that won’t stop me from leveraging a blind pick! Let’s get to the matchups with playoff seeds and the home team in caps.

TOP TWO SEEDS READY FOR THURSDAY NIGHT

#1 NEW YORK RANGERS over #8 Ottawa Senators
NY Rangers -1.5 +165 / -190 ML / O 5.0 -125
Ottawa Senators +1.5 -200 / +160 ML / U 5.0 +105

What a nice surprise that the Senators made the playoffs! Tag Erik Karlsson as the main catalyst for that. The 21 year old defenseman is a one man wrecking crew, but he’s going to have his hands full with a rough and tumble second line from New York. The Senators will be a lot more competitive in this series than people imagine with a great top line and solid defense, but the Rangers won’t let the first game get away from them.

My play would be to bet the Rangers moneyline and puckline separately as a hedge. If the Rangers clear the -1.5 handicap, you’re reaping rewards but they’ll win this game outright either way so you can cover yourself a bit there.

#2 BOSTON BRUINS over #7 Washington Capitals
Boston Bruins -1.5 +165 / -190 ML / O 5.0 -130
Washington Capitals +1.5 -200 / +160 / U 5.0 +110

The real value play here is the UNDER at +110. The Capitals are known to score, but their lack of a physically bruising play makes me very worried about this matchup for them. If you’re that adamant about Boston clearing the puckline, then go for it, but I’m sticking with the TOTAL and banking on Boston’s gameplan to knock the Capitals out of this series mentally with their own brand of black and blue hockey. And don’t bet against Tim Thomas at home. That’s just silly talk.

FRIDAY SEES FLORIDA HOST NEW JERSEY IN STUNNING MATCHUP

#3 FLORIDA PANTHERS over #6 New Jersey Devils
NJ Devils -1.5 +260 / -120 ML / O 5.0 -120
Florida Panthers +1.5 -320 / +100 ML / U 5.0 +100

Do people in Miami even know the Panthers made the playoffs let alone won their division? Who cares? The real nugget here is that Dale Tallon is the general manager in Florida, and he put together a Stanley Cup winning roster in Chicago. Florida lacks the pedigree to really hope for a breakout series win, but they have Jose Theodore in net and I think he’s worth backing in a playoff opener.

The Devils have been a good team, shifting to an offense heavy system since Martin Brodeur started dropping in production over the years. It’s paid off. They can play great two-way hockey. I still have the Devils winning the series, but I love the Panthers to make some noise as +100 underdogs in this game.

They’re a scrappy bunch of underdogs and are poised to give the Devils more fits than they’re prepared for. Don’t underestimate the Panthers moving forward, even though they haven’t made the playoffs since 2000 and are facing a perennial playoff contender in New Jersey.

BATTLE OF PENNSYLVANIA CONTINUES SATURDAY

#4 PITTSBURGH PENGUINS over #5 Philadelphia Flyers
Wednesday night’s series opener will be a tell-all matchup for this Pro Hockey betting series. Philadelphia is known as a violent hockey team, but they’re missing everything that makes them a great defensive squad. No Pronger, no Meszaros and no James Van Riemsdyk. Ouch.

Their offense will be missing some teeth as well with Danny Briere out of the lineup. Briere is the sparkplug of this team’s playoff hopes, and without him, the Flyers just won’t have enough to keep up with a Penguins team that is full strength for the playoffs.

Track Wednesday night’s game, but if this series plays out like I expect, it’s going to be a five gamer with Pittsburgh getting out to – and protecting – a quick lead in the series.

1

2

Nashville and St-Louis Looking for Breakout Performances

Western Conference Free Picks:

The 2012 pro hockey playoffs begin this season with Vancouver a heavy +200 favorite to make it all the way to the finals in Pro Hockey betting.  Vancouver brings a veteran squad, along with a well-rested goalie, to this year’s playoff party.  But they’re not the only team that online betting handicappers are looking to in the futures.

St. Louis is a well-backed +350 in the futures to take home the trophy in the Western Conference while Nashville at +525 and Detroit at +550 are also garnering support.  See below for free picks for Game 2 of each series as well as picks to win the Western Conference.

 

NHL – Western Conference

 

Game 2

 

Detroit Red Wings at Nashville Predators

When:  April 12, 2012 at 7:30 pm EST

Predicted Odds:  Nashville -125, Total 5

This figures to be a hotly contested first round series between two very good teams.  Nashville GM David Poile made a big statement by luring back Alexander Radulov from Russia and adding defenseman Hal Gill and forwards Paul Gaustad and Andrei Kostitsyn, all for this playoff run.  Both teams bring great goalies to the series, but Nashville’s Pekka Rinne, who played in 73 games during the regular season, might win the Vezina trophy this season.  Rinne led the league with 43 victories.  Nashville’s power play is excellent at 21.6% while Detroit’s penalty kill is only average, ranked 18th in the NHL.  Although hockey odds handicappers like Detroit in Game 1, 51% to 49% for Nashville, my gut tells me that the Predators are ready to do a number on the Red Wings in Game 2.  Nashville is a tough place to play and the Red Wings weren’t exactly a stellar road team during the regular season.  31 of Detroit’s 48 total victories came at home.  I like Nashville.

Pick:  Nashville Predators

 

Los Angeles Kings at Vancouver Canucks

When:  April 13, 2012 at 10:00 pm EST

Predicted Odds:  Vancouver -170, Total 5

Vancouver isn’t going to just walk all over the Kings in this first round series.  The Canucks are deeper, they added Dale Weiss, Zack Kassian, David Booth, Samuel Pahlsson and Marc-Andre Gragnani from last season’s run, and Vancouver did produce the best overall record in the league this season, but the Kings are solid.  L.A.’s D allowed only 2.07 goals per season.  Their goal-tender, Jonathan Quick, is terrific.  Not only that, but the King’s 29th ranked offense scored 54 goals in 18 games from March to April, an average of 3 per game, meaning that they’ve found the net.  I believe that the Canucks will be a serious underlay in Game 2 of this series.  I’m going to back the dog.   

Pick:  Los Angeles Kings

 

San Jose Sharks at St. Louis Blues

When:  April 14, 2012 at 7:30 pm EST

Predicted Odds:  St. Louis -155, Total 5

Although San Jose is the more experienced team, St. Louis has the best defense in the league.  The Blues’ goalie tandem of Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliot are shut down guys and St. Louis allows an awesome 26.7 shots on goal per game.  The Sharks, meanwhile, take 33.8 shots per game.  What will give in Game 2?  St. Louis’ D could dominate the Sharks.  Not only that, but St. Louis’ less than stellar offense, their top scorer, David Backers, is ranked 74th overall in the NHL scoring race, might get a boost in the power play since San Jose’s penalty kill is ranked 29th in the league.  59% of my peers are all over the Blues in Game 1.  I’ll be all over the Blues in Game 2.

Pick:  St. Louis Blues 

 

Chicago Blackhawks at Phoenix Coyotes

When:  April 14, 2012 at 10:00 pm EST

Predicted Odds:  Phoenix -120, Total 5

It looks like the Chicago Blackhawks have the Phoenix Coyotes over a barrel in this series.  Chicago is deeper and more talented.  Well, they’re deeper and more talented according to almost every sportswriter in Canada and the United States.  I prefer to look at stats in order to find gems on which to bet and even though 55% of sports betting handicappers are all over the Blackhawks in Game 1 of this series, the stats I’m looking at tell me that Phoenix is a solid bet in Game 2 of the series.  The Coyotes goalie, Mike Smith, allowed only 2 goals in Phoenix’s last 5 games.  Smith stopped 190 of 192 shots in those 5 games.  That’s ultra-impressive.  Not only that, but Chicago is ranked 26th in the league on the power play, meaning that they most likely won’t get to Smith even when they have an advantage, and 27th on the penalty kill, meaning that the Coyotes could find the net when they’ve got the advantage.  The real issue that Chicago will have in this series is that the 2010 Conn Smyth Trophy winner, Jonathan Toews, hasn’t played since Feb. 19th because of a concussion.  Sure, he’s cleared to play in the series, but he hasn’t hit the ice in a long time.

Pick:  Phoenix Coyotes

 

Western Conference Futures Pick

 

Odds to win Western Conference

Chicago Blackhawks              +800
Detroit Red Wings                  +550
Los Angeles Kings                  +800
Nashville Predators                 +525
Phoenix Coyotes                     +1500
San Jose Sharks                       +700
St. Louis Blues                        +350
Vancouver Canucks                +200

 

The odds are too low on the Vancouver Canucks for me to back them to win the Western Conference.  Vancouver is fantastic, no doubt, and they definitely can win, but the fact that the only squad going off at double-digit odds, Phoenix is at +1500, should clue hockey gamblers to the fact that the race to the Western Conference trophy is wide open.

 

Top Pick:  Nashville Predators +525

I’m surprised that Nashville isn’t the chalk to win the conference.  GM David Poile made big time moves for the playoff run and goaltender Pekka Rinne might be the best in the NHL.  Nashville is loaded and designed to win right now.  They only issue they might have is handling the pressure of winning right now, but I don’t see it happening, not with Rinne in goal and their depth up front.

 

Second Pick:  St. Louis Blues +350

The best defensive team in the league should have no trouble dispatching of San Jose.  They’re just too disciplined to make mistakes on the D side of things, but they will have to find offense some place.  Still, the odds aren’t bad on a team that might average giving up a goal a game during the entire playoffs this season to just win their conference.

 

Best Underdog Pick:  Los Angeles Kings +800

The Kings’ offense has gotten over the issues that plagued them earlier in the season and goal tender Jonathan Quick is as solid as there is in the net.  If the Kings’ offense continues to play well, then they could score a quick series victory over Vancouver, allowing them plenty of time to rest up for round 2. 

 

Good luck!

 

1

2

3

Detroit Team To Back at +650

Hockey Conference Futures

EASTERN CONFERENCE

New York Rangers (+200 to win Eastern Conference)
You have to do a wide range of things in the NHL playoffs to be successful: score lots of goal, prevent lots of goals, have a killer power play…these are all things you expect to hear. But toughness is the biggest scale tipper in the NHL playoff scene and the Rangers have it in truck loads. The biggest weakness in their game is their power play, which is the fourth worst in the league but with Henrik Lundqvist in net there isn’t much concern. And if you’re into cosmic voodoo (which 23% of my betting psyche is), then this seems like a good year to go all-in on New York, doesn’t it?

Boston Bruins (+500 to win Eastern Conference)
If you loved them last year, there are just as many reasons to love them this season. Handicpapers haven’t adored their inconsistency, but they’re ending the season on a strong high note after beating the Rangers 2-1. That put the Bruins at 7-3 SU in their last 10 games and they’re on as much of a momentum building streak as any team in the league right now. Nothing has changed from last season, except that Tyler Seguin has more experience. Plus they have a taste for blood and gold.

Pittsburgh Penguins (+190 to win Eastern Conference)
The worry with Pittsburgh is that they’re not as physical as they need to be in the playoffs, and since Sidney’s return they haven’t been that consistent going 6-5 SU in eleven games. They’ll find their legs soon enough, and after that beware if you bet against them especially with Evgeni Malkin playing far and away his best hockey ever.

The obvious reason to go against Pittsburgh is that Sidney is one brutal hit away from going back to the shelf indefinitely. These odds are very tight, but even without Sid The Kid, this team was absolutely formidable during big stretches of the season. There won’t be any buyer’s remorse here no matter what happens to Crosby, but those buyers should definitely beware.

Favorite Sleeper: Washington Capitals (+1600 to win Eastern Conference)
Listen, I know this isn’t a great bet, but you have to think that Ovechkin and company have to breakout of their playoff slump eventually, right? With a $100 flier thrown their way you could reap massive profits if they do. Still, there’s just as many reasons to bet on them (star studded roster) as there are to bet against them (star studded roster never performs in April).

The Rest of the East: Philadelphia +600, Buffalo +1600, New Jersey +1400, Ottawa +1800, Florida +1800

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Vancouver Canucks (+170 to win Western Conference)
You know who is hedging against this bet? The city of Vancouver! There’s a damn good reason that they have the best odds in the conference, and it has everything to do with the fact that they own the best record in the entire NHL. The main difference between last year and this year is that the Canucks have depth at goaltending. You can’t fault Roberto Luongo for being absolutely useless on the road in the Stanley Cup Finals last season in the Boston hosted games (ok maybe you can), but if he falters then the Nuckleheads have Corey Schneider to sit between the pipes.

Detroit Red Wings (+650 to win Western Conference)
There’s simply no possible way to write a column about “favorites to win the west” without mentioning the Red Wings. The Wings have lost their footing recently, going just 3-7 SU over their last ten games, but they also are likely candidates to have home ice heading in to the first couple rounds of the playoffs. It’s never a bad investment to bet on the Detroit Red Wings in NHL futures.

San Jose Sharks (+1200 to win Western Conference)
I’m basically putting them here because I wanted to remind you that this isn’t a bet to “appear in the Western Conference Finals and lose”. The Sharks are the ultimate non-closer in the NHL playoffs. Throwing your money at them this year is just a waste of time.

Favorite Sleeper: St. Louis Blues (+300 to win Western Conference)
If defense wins championships, the Blues should be your pick. With only 1.86 goals allowed through this season, the Blues are the unexpected NHL stalwarts on defense in the entire league ranking first in defense. It helps when you have a goalie like Brian Elliott in net and a slew of great two-way players coming back from the injured reserve.

All that being said, there’s a reason they’re my sleeper pick. They haven’t been this good or relevant for pretty much ten years. In fact, the last time they won a playoff series was ten seasons ago. Since then, they’ve made the playoffs three times and never survived the first round.

I doubt that the Blues themselves care that much about the past. They play like they believe in themselves, and if you do too then this is as worthy a bet as anyone else on the board.

The Rest of the West: Chicago +750, Nashville +700, Dallas +1800, Colorado +3500

1

2

NHL Trade Deadline Winners and Losers, With Saturday Free Picks!

Pro Hockey Trade Deadline Analysis and Free Picks

The NHL Trade Deadline is usually an all day affair that becomes a blistering three hour flurry of fun in the final three hours. Not this year. With only a handful of meaningful trades affecting this season, there weren’t many big names moved at 3pm on Monday afternoon. That being said, at least two teams became noticeably better while everyone that lost out on Rick Nash came out a big loser. None larger, however, than the team that had to keep him.

BIGGEST WINNERS

Nashville Predators – Yup, they still exist. And now they’re pretty damn good. Adding Paul Gaustad from Buffalo is a big addition to their scoring, while the Montreal Canadiens traded Hal Gill and Andrei Kostitsyn to re-join former Hab Sergei Kostitsyn. I don’t know. The Kostityn’s usually play better when they’re around each other. They made major moves at major positions to become playoff ready this season. Maybe finally they can get past Detroit.

This is big news for Nashville because they’re not one of the heavily bet teams in the betting market. You always get harsh value on the big ticket teams like the Canucks, Red Wings, Sharks and Blackhawks out West. Nashville is poised to ruffle some feathers if Gaustad fills the void like he’s expected to up front.

San Jose Sharks – You need two top lines, and the Sharks were beginning to get predictable. They’re a physical team and adding Daniel Winnik and T.J. Galiardi may not be the “big name” moves they needed, but it certainly helped bring some diversity to a team that’s seemingly plateaued. Don’t worry. They’ll still lose in the Western Conference Finals (C’mon, it’s the Sharks after all), but I needed at least two winners in this section.

BIGGEST LOSERS

Columbus Blue Jackets – They wanted a Carmelo Anthony type deal for their highly sought after center Rick Nash, but didn’t get it because hockey doesn’t work like that. In hockey, you just don’t trade a bunch of coins for a paper bill. Expect Nash to move to the Rangers or Leafs on Draft Day, but for now the Jackets are still the same crummy cellar dweller they’ve been all year. Oh, and this makes the Rangers and Leafs big losers at the deadline, but at least the Rangers will make the post season. Sorry, Toronto. This just ain’t your century.

As for Columbus, now the fans will just have to wait to see Rick Nash move in the summer instead of knowing what their team will look like moving forward. Strange as it sounds, Columbus loves their Blue Jackets. If there’s any comparison to what Dwight Howard is doing to Orlando in the NHL, it’s what this whole Nash thing is doing to Columbus. That’s not a great thing for the fan base or the franchise. Or the player. Or the league.

Chicago Blackhawks – The Stanley Cup Champions from two years ago have been desperately trying to find a replacement for Dustin Byfuglien, who was a cornerstone in the team’s physicality department. But finding one that made financial sense has been a big problem. They did add d-man Johnny Oduya from Winnipeg, but he’s a far cry from what Chicago needs up front in the scoring department…especially with Toews hurting heading down the home stretch.

Pittsburgh Penguins – Sidney Crosby’s tragic career turn is hurting this franchise in a big way, especially with his contract up for renewal in the coming year (he’s a free agent in the summer of 2013). But the biggest problem is not having a suitable backup for goalie Marc Andre-Fleury. That’s a new trend in the NHL by the way: needing two decent goalies like NFL teams need two strong running-backs to be competitive. Another lost title opportunity for the Penguins who should’ve been two time Stanley Cup Champions in this era with a healthy Crosby.

Listen, last year they didn’t know what was happening with Sid. This year they do and they didn’t do anything to improve their championship odds, and that’s just not going to cut it in this league.

ON TO THE FREE PICKS!

NEW YORK RANGERS over Boston Bruins
I think that the Bruins have defended their Stanley Cup victory as well as any team of the past twenty NHL seasons, but they’re running into a freight train built on physical scoring prowess that can even match their own. New York is 7-3 SU as of this writing. With just Carolina and Tampa Bay standing in the way, New York will have a homecoming worthy of your money despite losing out on Rick Nash at the trade deadline.

DETROIT RED WINGS over Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks are still a fairly decent bet-on team despite not living up to expectations most of the way. A rough outing against Toronto on Wednesday night won’t make travelling to Ottawa and then Detroit any easier on the weekend. Chicago remains without captain Jonathan Toews which leaves a void in scoring and offense that this squad doesn’t seem equipped to fill.

And sure, Detroit finally lost a game at home against Vancouver, but that doesn’t mean they don’t hold tremendous value at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit’s astounding 26-3-1-1 SU record at home is worth backing and worthy of respect. Don’t bet against the Red Wings at home in the regular season. It just doesn’t make sense at this point, especially with Detroit seemingly ready to put an ugly three game losing streak far behind them after walloping Columbus 5-2.

Colorado Avalanche over MINNESOTA WILD
Like you, I have no idea why I keep getting asked to write about the Colorado Avalanche. I don’t pick the games; my editor does. Ok, it might have to do with the Avalanche’s “sneak bet” value (which is my personal term for a team that nobody has their eye on, but are winning games and scoring money for their backers). Or maybe it’s the acquisition of Steve Downie. Did you know that they’re 4-1 SU as of Wednesday? Did you know that they’re beating up bad teams pretty reliably? Did you also know the Wild are one of the worst in all of hockey?

Minnesota’s porous 3-7 SU record as of Wednesday, along with their 15-11-1-3 SU record at home this season don’t give much reason to bet on them. Without a fully healthy Mikko Koivu, I wouldn’t rely wholeheartedly on a tight upset by the home boys here. Bet on Colorado hard, even if it makes you scratch your head.

1

2

Sunday’s NHL Free Pick Previews

betUS Pro Hockey free Picks

As it always does, hockey betting continues to fall well under the radar of most players out there. Trust me, put some money on a game and turn on the television and you’ll feel entirely different about the sport, especially with in-game betting. Better yet – get off your ass and mosey on down to the rink. It’s not as cold as you think it is.

Here are some picks for Sunday’s big time games with some quick bullets underneath. All picks are moneyline but if you’re feeling daring go puckline. It’s essentially the same as baseball’s runline. Except it’s called a puckline. Anyways, on to the picks.

DETROIT RED WINGS over San Jose Sharks
The Sharks aren’t playing as poorly on the road as they usually do, but by the time they visit Joe Louis in Detroit on Sunday they’ll be hitting their fifth roadie in a row. That’s not good, especially since Detroit is a mind boggling 24-2-1-0 SU at home. And yes, that includes 21 straight victories which marks an NHL record. If those aren’t good enough reasons for you to make the smart money play on Detroit, then I have no idea what to tell you.

St. Louis Blues over CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Say what?! Yep, the Blues are the hottest team in the NHL as I write this. Sure they were tripped up against the lowly Blue Jackets on Tuesday night, but they’re primed to seize the spotlight in a national televised game against Chicago. The Blues are 4-1 SU as of Wednesday and unless they get blown out by the Islanders and Wild this week, I expect them to be rough company for the Hawks.

But then again, everyone has been rough company for Chicago. While St. Louis rises in the division, Chicago is in a free fall at 1-9 SU over the last ten games as of Wednesday and the weird part about it is that they don’t have any major injuries. Hockey is a fickle mistress, and right now she’s tempting you with the Blues. Follow her lead.

NEW YORK RANGERS over Columbus Blue Jackets
This is an easy pick on the moneyline because Columbus is going through some pretty ugly upheaval as we approach the deadline. Top forwards Jeff Carter and Rick Nash are either looking for an exit or vehemently demanding one. Oh yeah, and they’re the worst team in the league. They’ve gone just 7-19-0-3 SU when playing on the road, and are playing as badly right now as they have all season.

If you’re not keeping track of hockey right now (and you should be), the New York Rangers are arguably the best team out there right now. They’ve torn off an 8-2 SU record over their last 10 games. So basically even if you know zilch about hockey, you can rest assured the best team in the league is going to beat the worst.

NHL Quick Hits

Pittsburgh Penguins over BUFFALO SABRES
Even without Sidney Crosby, the Penguins are a formidable bet. They’re a top-10 team in the league and Buffalo is middle of the road at best. And Pittsburgh loves playing on weekends. They scored 12 goals last weekend.

Boston Bruins over MINNESOTA WILD
As far as “defending the championship through the season” goes, Boston’s doing an admirable job and they’ll pick up an easy win over a Minnesota team that has no identity to speak of.

MONTREAL CANADIENS over New Jersey Devils
I have no idea what to make of the Devils, but they don’t fare well on the road against bad teams. That’s a strange thought isn’t it? Montreal has tuned up the band lately, but check to see if they’ve kept that roll going through to Sunday. They lost to Carolina on Monday and still have some tough matchups this week. If they’re slumping go the other way. Actually, just stay away from this game.

FLORIDA PANTHERS over Anaheim Ducks
One of hockey’s best kept secrets is betting on Florida at home. They’re 14-5-1-6 SU in their own house so far and are opening up a wide gap in the Southeast Division of the NHL.

WINNIPEG JETS over Colorado Avalanche
Yeeeesh! The Avalanche are pretty bad, and the Jets aren’t much better. The Avs will probably burn me on this pick, but if you have to lean anywhere it’s towards Winnipeg. They’re 16-9-0-2 SU at home this season.

Vancouver Canucks over EDMONTON OILERS
I don’t care how well Sam Gagner is playing. The one thing Vancouver loves to do is crush the Edmonton Oilers every time they meet.

1

2

Next Page »