The NHL playoffs start tonight and we’ve got NHL analyst Frank Doyle to preview the first round.
| #8 Chicago v #1 Vancouver | ||||
| Series Odds | CHI | +190 | VAN | -263 |
| Game 1 Odds | CHI | +155 | VAN | -185 |
The playoffs begin with the Stanley Cup being Vancouver’s to lose. The Canucks are the clear outright favorites, and are the most complete team in hockey. Vancouver has been knocked out of the playoffs by Chicago for the past two years, but revenge is just around the corner. Toews and Kane are the dangermen for Chicago but the summer sale of players leaves the Blackhawks lacking a little oomph. Canucks in five.
| #7 Los Angeles v #2 San Jose | ||||
| Series Odds | LAK | +240 | SJS | -357 |
| Game 1 Odds | LAK | +175 | SJS | -21 |
The Sharks are the Indianapolis Colts of the NHL. They can beat anybody in the regular season but always find a way to lose in the playoffs. That might still be the case, but they won’t be done down by the injury-hit Kings. San Jose in four.
| #6 Phoenix v #3 Detroit | ||||
| Series Odds | PHX | +167 | DET | -238 |
| Game 1 Odds | PHX | +150 | DET | -180 |
Detroit is the biggest Western danger to the Canucks’ march to glory. The Red Wings may struggle against the Coyotes with the loss of Henrik Zetterberg through injury but the longer they last in the playoffs the more dangerous they become. Detroit in seven.
| #5 Nashville v #4 Anaheim | ||||
| Series Odds | NAS | +105 | ANA | -147 |
| Game 1 Odds | NAS | +125 | ANA | -145 |
If the Sharks under-perform in the playoffs the Ducks over-perform. Nashville is on the rise and have an advantage over Anaheim between the pipes – the Ducks have lost first choice goalie Jonas Hiller to an ongoing issue with vertigo – but it’s advantage Anaheim more or less everywhere else. Anaheim in seven.
| #8 NY Rangers v #1 Washington | ||||
| Series Odds | NYR | +175 | WAS | -250 |
| Game 1 Odds | NYR | +155 | WAS | -185 |
The Rangers have had the edge over the Capitals in the regular season but Washington has a much improved defense this year and the best player in hockey (while Crosby remains on the IR) in Alex Ovechkin. Washington is the biggest danger to Vancouver’s Stanley Cup ambitions. Washington over New York in five.
| #7 Buffalo v #2 Philadelphia | ||||
| Series Odds | BUF | +140 | PHI | -200 |
| Game 1 Odds | BUF | +135 | PHI | -160 |
Philadelphia has limped into the playoffs and is a team with problems. The Flyers’ red line strength in depth might still be too good for Buffalo though. Philadelphia in seven.
| #6 Montreal v #3 Boston | ||||
| Series Odds | MON | +170 | BOS | -238 |
| Game 1 Odds | MON | +150 | BOS | -180 |
Montreal’s last game at Boston was their chance to get revenge for Max Pacioretty. Boston wiped them, 7-0. Big bad Boston is the last team the Habs needed to meet in the first round. Boston in five.
| #5 Tampa Bay v #4 Pittsburgh | ||||
| Series Odds | TAM | -105 | PIT | -133 |
| Game 1 Odds | TAM | +125 | PIT | -145 |
It’s a testimony to Dan Bylsma that the Penguins are even in the playoffs in the absence of Sidney Crosby. Imagine Raiders of the Lost Ark without Indiana Jones and you see the Penguins’ problem. Not only that, but Matt Cooke is suspended as well and love him or hate him, Cooke makes a difference to teams. Lightning to strike by the three rivers – Tampa Bay in seven in the big upset of the first round.
Originially posted on BetFirms
