Series Picks
Anaheim (+240) -- risking 2.5 to win 6: I was going to take pretty much anyone against San Jose in round 1. I have said all year that this team is a fraud, and I expect them to continue to be playoff disappointments. It gets better, as they face an Anaheim team that is on fire, with a fantastic top 4 in Niedermayer, Pronger, Whitney and Beauchemin. Not only are these guys good, but they have plenty of playoff experience (and rings). Up front, the only thing that worries me is the lack of a top tier checking line, as Moen and Pahlsson are gone. However, with the emergence of Bobby Ryan, they definitely have the scoring to compete. Really really like the value here.
Calgary (+140) -- risking 1 to win 1.4: Again, this is a value play on a series where I see the road team with a slight edge. If Chicago wants to win this series, they absolutely need to sweep the first two games at home. Personally, I don't think a young, inexperienced team can do that. Yes, the Flames are banged up on the back end. However, they really aren't much worse than the Blackhawks, who boast a below average defence themselves. I think the good, veteran forwards on the Flames will keep this series close. I look for this to go 6 or 7 games.
Vancouver + Washington (+110) -- risking 2.5 to win 2.75: Not willing to lay the juice with either on a single bet , but I feel both will cruise. The only thing preventing this parlay is if Chris Mason stands on his head, or Jose Theodore shits the bed. The latter is more likely, but I like the ability of both favourites to score enough to overcome potential deficits.
BOL
Anaheim (+240) -- risking 2.5 to win 6: I was going to take pretty much anyone against San Jose in round 1. I have said all year that this team is a fraud, and I expect them to continue to be playoff disappointments. It gets better, as they face an Anaheim team that is on fire, with a fantastic top 4 in Niedermayer, Pronger, Whitney and Beauchemin. Not only are these guys good, but they have plenty of playoff experience (and rings). Up front, the only thing that worries me is the lack of a top tier checking line, as Moen and Pahlsson are gone. However, with the emergence of Bobby Ryan, they definitely have the scoring to compete. Really really like the value here.
Calgary (+140) -- risking 1 to win 1.4: Again, this is a value play on a series where I see the road team with a slight edge. If Chicago wants to win this series, they absolutely need to sweep the first two games at home. Personally, I don't think a young, inexperienced team can do that. Yes, the Flames are banged up on the back end. However, they really aren't much worse than the Blackhawks, who boast a below average defence themselves. I think the good, veteran forwards on the Flames will keep this series close. I look for this to go 6 or 7 games.
Vancouver + Washington (+110) -- risking 2.5 to win 2.75: Not willing to lay the juice with either on a single bet , but I feel both will cruise. The only thing preventing this parlay is if Chris Mason stands on his head, or Jose Theodore shits the bed. The latter is more likely, but I like the ability of both favourites to score enough to overcome potential deficits.
BOL
