The NHL playoffs get cooking tomorrow, starting with the Sens vs. Hurricanes, then Wild vs. Stars, followed by Flyers at Pens.
Toronto hockey fans are a depressed lot today. Or maybe they’re gleeful? It’s spring, which typically means the Maple Leafs have crapped out – 58 years and counting for the Stanley Cup drought in these parts. This year, though, the Leafs didn’t even make the playoffs, and finished bottom 5 in the NHL.
Yesterday, as they met with the media and signed off for the golf courses, it was usual monotonous bromides on how they didn’t get it done (again), that they only have themselves to blame (sure), and that they’ll come back strong again (right).
“Ride the painted pony, let the spinnin’ wheel turn,” the old Blood Sweat & Tears song says. A lot of fans out there are likely relieved it’s over, and we can get on to serious hockey.
The NHL playoff brackets are now set, 16 teams set to battle it out, with games starting tomorrow, starting with the Ottawa Senators in Carolina against the Hurricanes at 3 p.m. EST, followed by the Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars, at 5 p.m., and the Philadelphia Flyers at the Pittsburgh Penguins, led by Sidney Crosby, at 8 p.m.
Sunday the other opening round series games get going, with the L.A. Kings in Colorado against the Avalanche, at 3 p.m., the Montreal Canadiens in Tampa to play the Lightning, at 5:45 p.m., the Boston Bruins in Buffalo to play the Sabres, at 7:30 p.m., and the Utah Mammoth in Las Vegas to play the Golden Knights, puck drop at 10 p.m.
The Anaheim Ducks and the Oilers get going Monday, 10 p.m., in Edmonton.
According to Betway, series favourites are the Hurricanes -200, Stars -120, Penguins -160, Avalanche -400, Lightning -225, Sabres -200, Knights -180, and Oilers -225.
BEST BETS
Utah Mammoth at Las Vegas Golden Knights, Sunday, 10 p.m. EST, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Under 5.5
At Betway this morning, the Golden Knights are -150 favourites (risk $150 to win $100) on the Moneyline, the Mammoth +125. Against the Spread: Golden Knights -1.5 (+155), Mammoth +1.5 (-200). Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (Over is -110, Under is -130).
What a story the Vegas Golden Knights have been over the past ten games of the regular season, when they shocked the hockey world and fired head coach Bruce Cassidy on March 29. Coaching veteran John Tortorella came in, and the team has gone 7-0-1 since, taking the Pacific Division title.
That 5.5 Over/Under is high. Playoff hockey tightens up, and the mammoth were a Top 10 NHL team in defensive zone rankings. Led by Mikhail Sergachev, and backed in net by Karel Vejmelka (38-20-3, 2.75 GAA, .897 SV%, 2 SOs), Utah is stout defensively. The Golden Knights will win but take the Under.
Ottawa Senators at Carolina Hurricanes, tomorrow, 3 p.m. EST, Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC
Carolina Moneyline
At Betway this morning, the Hurricanes are -150 favourites on the Moneyline, the Senators +125. Against the Spread: Hurricanes -1.5 (+155), Senators +1.5 (-200). Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (Over is +115, Under is -150).
A big question here is Senators’ Brady Tkachuk – who has confirmed he’s heathy and good to go after taking a stick up high against the Islanders on April 11. Tkachuk had two goals in a 6-3 win over the Hurricanes the last time these teams met, on April 5.
Hurricanes are the clear favourite top 10 in the Eastern Conference. Carolina Moneyline is the best bet here, based on their depth and home ice edge, although I am also leaning the Over 6.5, considering the Over has hit three of the last four times these teams have met.
Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins, tomorrow, 8 p.m. EST, PPG Paints Arena, PA
Pittsburgh ATS
At Betway this morning, the Penguins are -140 favourites on the Moneyline, the Flyers +120. Against the Spread: Penguins -1.5 (+165), Flyers +1.5 (-210). Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (Over is +110, Under is -140).
The Battle of Pennsylvania – this one has hockey war written all over it. The Flyers are stingy defensively, but the playoff hockey-experienced Crosby on home ice, for a Game 1, along with the Penguins’ scoring depth? That’s good value on the spread, at -1.5. I am going there.
