HOME TEAM IN CAPS
Series bets and picks<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o
></o>
WASHINGTON –1.12 over Pittsburgh
Interesting line here in that the Rangers pushed the Caps to the limit while Pitt got by what was considered a very strong Philly team. What’s interesting is that aside from game 7, the Capitals absolutely dominated the Rangers and if not for the goaltending of Henrik Lundqvist the Caps would have won in four straight. Meanwhile, the Penguins advanced but aside from game one, they were the second best team on the ice. However, the line here does not reflect that Washington was dominating and the Penguins were outplayed. The Caps can now breath a sigh of relief after getting over that hump and now they might not be stopped. The Caps are quicker, more talented, way more efficient on moving the puck out of their own zone and frankly, I’m suggesting this is a small price to pay to wager on the Caps. Hal Gill and Mark Eaton are huge liabilities on the Penguins defense and those two will make a ton of costly mistakes in this series. The Caps don’t have any dead weight and you can expect a big bounce-back from Mike Green, who had a horrible series against the Rangers. Penguins perhaps have a slight edge in net but based on what we saw in round one, the Penguins are in big, big trouble in this series. Don’t put too much emphasis on the Capitals tough series win over the Rangers, they were the far better team and it wasn’t close and the Pens are very lucky they’re not watching the rest of the playoffs from the rail. Play: Washington –1.12 (Risking 3.36 units to win 2). <o></o>
<o></o>
Anaheim +2.60 over DETROIT
The Ducks will definitely be hard pressed to beat the Red Wings, as Detroit is the cream of the crop and man for man they’re the greatest show on ice. However, the Ducks are getting tremendous goaltending and that can carry you a long way in the playoffs. The Red Wings only weakness is between the pipes and with the way Selanne, Getzlaf, Perry, Niedermayer and Ryan are playing, goaltending, as it often does, could decide this series. The Ducks beat the President’s trophy winner and it wasn’t a fluke, as they’re peaking at precisely the right time. My big concern is the Ducks propensity for taking too many penalties and if they spend too much time in the box they’ll get buried. Thing is, it’s something they’ll address for sure and if they stay out of the box they have a significant edge in goal and at this price they’re worth a bet. Play: Anaheim +2.60 (Risking 1.5 units). <o></o>
<o></o>
BOSTON –2.15 over Carolina
Bruins got a nice break when the Canes beat the Devils in that they get a pretty sweet match-up in round 2. The Bruins –2.15 might even be considered a bargain when you see that Detroit is a 3-1 favorite over the Ducks. Anyway, the Bruins are rested, raring to go, they’re near flawless with a balanced attack, great defense and goaltending and solid special teams play too. I’m very tempted to lay the 2.15 but I’m going to hope the layoff hurts them and they lose in game one and then I’ll make am updated series bet on the Bruins, as I give the Canes two chances, slim and none. No bets.
<o></o>
VANCOUVER –1.40 over Chicago
I’m laying off this series because it’s just so difficult to predict. The Canucks look strong indeed and with Roberto Luongo in net, they’re just so tough to beat. Not only is Luongo great but he gets into the heads of the shooters and that can get very frustrating. I’m also not crazy about Nikolai Khabilbulin, as he’s allowed far too many soft goals all year to be trusted in a seven-game series. With that said, the Blackhawks are dangerous as hell because they have a ton of snipers, a defense core that is second to none in terms of creating offense and they’re full of young, talented and determined players. So, pick your poison. I’m going to watch the series closely and see what transpires before making any bets in this series. This one should be fun to watch. I'm calling the Canucks to win but would not be surprised one bit if they didn't. No bets.
Series bets and picks<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>WASHINGTON –1.12 over Pittsburgh
Interesting line here in that the Rangers pushed the Caps to the limit while Pitt got by what was considered a very strong Philly team. What’s interesting is that aside from game 7, the Capitals absolutely dominated the Rangers and if not for the goaltending of Henrik Lundqvist the Caps would have won in four straight. Meanwhile, the Penguins advanced but aside from game one, they were the second best team on the ice. However, the line here does not reflect that Washington was dominating and the Penguins were outplayed. The Caps can now breath a sigh of relief after getting over that hump and now they might not be stopped. The Caps are quicker, more talented, way more efficient on moving the puck out of their own zone and frankly, I’m suggesting this is a small price to pay to wager on the Caps. Hal Gill and Mark Eaton are huge liabilities on the Penguins defense and those two will make a ton of costly mistakes in this series. The Caps don’t have any dead weight and you can expect a big bounce-back from Mike Green, who had a horrible series against the Rangers. Penguins perhaps have a slight edge in net but based on what we saw in round one, the Penguins are in big, big trouble in this series. Don’t put too much emphasis on the Capitals tough series win over the Rangers, they were the far better team and it wasn’t close and the Pens are very lucky they’re not watching the rest of the playoffs from the rail. Play: Washington –1.12 (Risking 3.36 units to win 2). <o
></o><o
></o>Anaheim +2.60 over DETROIT
The Ducks will definitely be hard pressed to beat the Red Wings, as Detroit is the cream of the crop and man for man they’re the greatest show on ice. However, the Ducks are getting tremendous goaltending and that can carry you a long way in the playoffs. The Red Wings only weakness is between the pipes and with the way Selanne, Getzlaf, Perry, Niedermayer and Ryan are playing, goaltending, as it often does, could decide this series. The Ducks beat the President’s trophy winner and it wasn’t a fluke, as they’re peaking at precisely the right time. My big concern is the Ducks propensity for taking too many penalties and if they spend too much time in the box they’ll get buried. Thing is, it’s something they’ll address for sure and if they stay out of the box they have a significant edge in goal and at this price they’re worth a bet. Play: Anaheim +2.60 (Risking 1.5 units). <o
></o><o
></o>BOSTON –2.15 over Carolina
Bruins got a nice break when the Canes beat the Devils in that they get a pretty sweet match-up in round 2. The Bruins –2.15 might even be considered a bargain when you see that Detroit is a 3-1 favorite over the Ducks. Anyway, the Bruins are rested, raring to go, they’re near flawless with a balanced attack, great defense and goaltending and solid special teams play too. I’m very tempted to lay the 2.15 but I’m going to hope the layoff hurts them and they lose in game one and then I’ll make am updated series bet on the Bruins, as I give the Canes two chances, slim and none. No bets.
<o
></o>VANCOUVER –1.40 over Chicago
I’m laying off this series because it’s just so difficult to predict. The Canucks look strong indeed and with Roberto Luongo in net, they’re just so tough to beat. Not only is Luongo great but he gets into the heads of the shooters and that can get very frustrating. I’m also not crazy about Nikolai Khabilbulin, as he’s allowed far too many soft goals all year to be trusted in a seven-game series. With that said, the Blackhawks are dangerous as hell because they have a ton of snipers, a defense core that is second to none in terms of creating offense and they’re full of young, talented and determined players. So, pick your poison. I’m going to watch the series closely and see what transpires before making any bets in this series. This one should be fun to watch. I'm calling the Canucks to win but would not be surprised one bit if they didn't. No bets.
