Posted by Don Melrose on 4/19/2012 at BetOnline 3:44:56 PM
Online betting sharps have watched a wild beginning to the NHL playoffs in which nine players have been suspended in the first week, along with a couple fines and a few players were also knocked out because of nasty hits. Will the action calm down over the weekend? Here is a look at how it’ll play out.
Friday April 20, 2012
Flyers Penguins Odds (7:30 PM ET)Pittsburgh staved off elimination with a 10-3 rout of the Flyers in Game 4, and the Philadelphia media have been poking Sidney Crosby and his teammates all series; they may have awoken a sleeping giant. Also, Marc-Andre Fleury has been awful in this series, but he was better in Game 4 and should keep getting better. We should have a series now, folks.
Betting Edge: Pittsburgh Penguins
Bet on Hockey at BetOnline Sportsbook
Red Wings Predators Odds (8:00 PM ET)
Nashville is a -122 favorite at home after winning both games in Detroit to take a 3-1 series lead and it’s simple: the Predators’ goalie, Pekka Rinne, is better than his Motor City counterpart, Jimmy Howard. The Red Wings outshot Nashville 41-17 in Game 4, but still lost and that’s the type of game that can break a team, even a veteran squad like Detroit.
Betting Edge: Nashville Predators
Saturday April 21, 2012
Capitals Bruins Odds (3:00 PM ET)
Boston could be on the verge of progressing if they can win Game 4 in Washington on Thursday, but the Capitals have been showing fight, at least. The problem is a young goalie in Braden Holtby who shouldn’t have been expected to continue his form from the first two games of the series.
Betting Edge: Boston Bruins
Panthers Devils Odds (6:30 PM ET)
This is a series that NHL betting sharps could easily forget as it seems to be the only one where there is no bad blood, suspensions or injuries, but it’s still entertaining. The two meet in Florida in Game 4 on Thursday and the Panthers would be trying to take a 3-1 series lead, but the Devils aren’t going to be eliminated on their own ice. Also, Martin Brodeur was pulled curiously in Game 3 and that could spark the future Hall of Fame goaltender.
Betting Edge: New Jersey Devils
Senators Rangers Odds (7:00 PM ET)
The Senators pulled out a gutsy effort in a 3-2 overtime win in Game 4 against the top-seeded Rangers and they did it without captain Daniel Alfredsson, who is concussed and it’s unknown if or when he’ll be back. The Rangers could be feeling the pressure of being the No.1 seed, but being back in their building, Madison Square Garden, should help to settle their nerves. It’s amazing that the Senators are even in this series, but the Rangers will push them to the edge in Game 5.
Betting Edge: New York Rangers
Sharks Blues Odds (7:30 PM ET)
These two meet in Game 4 on Thursday night in San Jose, where the Sharks will be looking to avoid a 3-1 deficit, but the Blues looked very good in a 4-3 win in Game 3 and the big question about St. Louis coming into the postseason was whether or not they could win on the road; they proved that. Now they return home where the Blues have been excellent all season, but the Sharks also proved that they could win in St. Louis and this is a game that seemingly has overtime written all over it.
Betting Edge: St. Louis Blues
Blackhawks Coyotes Odds (10:00 PM ET)
The final game of the day comes from the desert, and the first three games of the series went to overtime with the Coyotes winning two of them. Marian Hossa may be out for the Blackhawks because of a hit by Phoenix’s Raffi Torres, who has been suspended indefinitely and has a hearing with the league on Friday. That’s a huge loss for the Blackhawks and you have to remember that Torres has a history with Chicago from his time in Vancouver. Even though it was an ugly hit and definitely a suspendable offense, it probably gave Phoenix the NHL betting edge in this series.
Betting Edge: Phoenix Coyotes
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kings Canucks Odds (TBD)
The Canucks lived to return home with a 3-1 win in Los Angeles in Game 4, and it appears as though Cory Schneider is the man in goal for the Canucks instead of Roberto Luongo. The Canucks look like a more confident team with Schneider behind them and this isn’t a fluke, he has been playing extremely well all season and now there are rumors that Luongo won’t be in Vancouver next season. Daniel Sedin is also back after his concussion and he played a major role in that victory with his brother Henrik. Watch out, Los Angeles.
Betting Edge: Vancouver Canucks
If necessary, Game 6s for Boston-Washington, Pittsburgh-Philadelphia and Nashville-Detroit will be played, so confirm in your sports betting book on gameday.
Possibly Related Posts:
- Some Early 2013 NHL Playoff MVP Considerations
- 2012 Stanley Cup Finals Kings vs Devils Game 1 Betting Odds-Prediction
- Phoenix Coyotes vs LA Kings 2012 NHL Playoffs Game 4 Betting Odds
- 2012 NHL Playoffs: Rangers vs Capitals Game 5 Betting Odds-Prediction
- Capitals Bruins Betting Odds and Pick 2012 NHL Playoffs Game 7