NHL Playoffs First Round Betting: Hockey Predictions
Sports Interaction betting analyst Frank Doyle takes a look at all eight matchups in the first round of the NHL playoffs.
San Jose is second favorite at +400 with Sports Interaction to lift Lord Stanley's Cup. The Sharks might not get past the first round.
Anaheim is the very last team that the Sharks wanted to see. You can't underestimate a local rival, and the California teams have had a considerable edge to their games in the past. The Sharks won the President's Trophy this year but only seven teams in twenty-three years have gone on to win the Stanley Cup after winning the President's Trophy. The President's Trophy is a poisoned chalice, and it says here that the Ducks can do the Sharks. Ducks to upset San Jose at +250 with Sports Interaction is the bet.
Exchanges will certainly be robust in the other standout matchup between local rivals, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. They say that goaltenders can make a team in the playoffs so I guess that means they can break one too. The Flyers are a little shaky between the sticks, and the Penguins have Sidney Crosby. I like the Penguins -189 in this one.
Columbus making its first ever playoff appearance is the romantic story of these playoffs. Unfortunately, money and romance just don't mix. Detroit will eat Columbus for breakfast. The Red Wings are not a tempting price at -625 to beat the Blue Jackets, but Sports Interaction is quoting Detroit to sweep 4-0 at +375 and that seems a pretty good bet to me.
Chicago looks a shortish price to beat Calgary at -139 with Sports Interaction. Personally, I'd price the Blackhawks at a return of five in every ten or worse. The Blackhawks aren't used to the big time and maybe that's why the price isn't that short on them but the Flames just aren't burning that brightly right now and that makes Chicago -139 with Sports Interaction the bet here.
The other four matchups look straightforward enough with Boston to gain revenge over Montreal for all the times it's gone the other way and Washington - my own pick to go all the way at +1000 with Sports Interaction - to dispose of the Rangers. Goaltending superiority to see the Devils and Canucks through against the Hurricanes and Blues respectively.
Frank Doyle, Gambling911.com
