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**StarDust Bum** · 04-09-2012, 05:47 PM

NHL Western Conference playoff betting cheat sheet

Here are a few tips as you get ready for the puck to drop on the Western Conference playoffs later this week.

Hottest goalie

Jonathan Quick is the best goaltender in the Western Conference but nobody was hotter down the stretch than Phoenix netminder Mike Smith. Smith almost single-handily carried the Coyotes to the postseason with his play over the last two weeks of the season.

Smith had recorded three consecutive shutouts prior to allowing just one goal in a big 4-1 win over the St. Louis Blues Friday night.

Critics say Smith’s play is nothing more than a product of Dave Tippett’s system in the desert, but Smith actually faced close to 31 shots per game this season.

Best 5-on-5 team

I don’t have anything against special teams but, as we saw late in the regular season, most referees put the whistle away in critical games. That means successful teams must have the ability to score at even strength.

No team in the league does that better than the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings score 1.44 more goals at even strength per game than their opponents. The only teams that are even close to Detroit in even-strength dominance are the Bruins and Blues.

Top hockey pool pick

When you look at the NHL’s list of scoring leaders, you don’t see many names from the Western Conference. In fact, Henrik Sedin is the only player from the West to crack the Top 10 in scoring this season.

Henrik would be a nice addition to your playoff pool roster for a couple of reasons: The Canucks are once again poised to make a long playoff run and Sedin stepped his game up down the stretch with his brother out of the lineup.

He hasn’t scored a goal since February 19 but his game isn’t about putting pucks in the net - it’s about setting up others. And there aren’t many in the league better at it than him.

Best under bet

The addition of head coach Ken Hitchcock early this season was great news for the Blues and fans of the under. St. Louis played over the total just 21 times all season and the crease combination of Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott has combined for 15 shutouts.

The Blues have already said that Halak will be the No. 1 guy in goal for the playoffs, but if he struggles they certainly won’t hesitate to go to Elliott.

Sleeper pick to win the West

If the Los Angeles Kings can find a way to score goals in the playoffs, they will be a tough team to finish off.

Quick is a lock to be nominated for the Vezina Trophy but he should probably get some consideration for the Hart Trophy as well. Quick lost 33 games this season with the Kings scoring only 44 goals in those contests.

Darryl Sutter’s squad is second in the league in goals against, fourth in shots against and have the fourth-best penalty kill in the NHL. Over their last 10 games, the Kings have averaged 2.8 goals - up from their season average of 2.3.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-09-2012, 05:50 PM

NHL Eastern Conference playoff betting cheat sheet

It took every game on the schedule, but the seeds in the Eastern Conference are finally set. Before the playoffs begin, check out these notes for navigating the postseason:

Best sleeper pick to win the East

The Philadelphia Flyers finished with 103 points. They have plenty of offense. They have more experience than the surface shows. And, when they take the ice next week, the Flyers will be participating in their 11th playoff series since 2008.

There’s a lot to like about Philadelphia, though we fully understand it’s hit or miss. Having won the season series versus Pittsburgh, 4-2, Philly knows how to contain Sidney Crosby and Co. And, though the Flyers will open on the road, they do have the horses to upset the Penguins in Round 1.

The Penguins, with all of their firepower, could turn out the lights on Philadelphia in a hurry. But for the price - 7-1 to win the East, 12-1 to win the Stanley Cup - you can do a lot worse than putting forwards Claude Giroux, Danny Briere, Jaromir Jagr and Scott Hartnell on your side.

Top hockey pool pick

Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist gets the headlines in the Big Apple and sharpshooter Marian Gaborik leads the goal parade, but Brad Richards is the most complete Ranger out there. And he’s done it all before, unlike the aforementioned.

His season numbers weren’t what most fans would’ve expected from the summer’s marquee free agent, but he reached 25 goals and finished second on the team in points (66). Plus, Ottawa, which lost its last three regular-season games, isn’t exactly rolling into Round 1.

Goalie who could steal a series

There are younger, hotter, even flashier goaltenders in the Eastern Conference. But no one has more experience, more hardware and more incentive to win than the man known as “Marty.” Martin Brodeur’s career is coming to a close and, after missing the playoffs for the first time since 1996 last season, he and the Devils are on a mission to gain back some respect. New Jersey started that process by winning six in a row to close the regular season.

Florida will throw everything they can at Brodeur. And pound for pound, especially if given four home games, the Panthers might be a better bet overall in this matchup. But that’s exactly why we like Brodeur. In a series where the odds - and his age - may be against him, we think the man who has more Stanley Cup titles (three) than all of the other goaltenders in the East playoffs combined can steal the show.

Potential first-round upset

Hockey fans watched in amazement last postseason, as Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas made save after save. He still has the talent to do it all over again, but Washington is not a normal No. 7 seed. The Capitals have offense that journeys beyond Alex Ovechkin (38 goals) and, though this core group has frustrated Washington fans beyond belief, they are playing their best hockey of the season.

Boston has played with a Stanley Cup hangover, at times, and Bruins fans can’t be all that psyched about heading into a postseason in which they have the No. 2 seed strictly because they won an inferior division.

Series with the most potential overs

It took time for Philadelphia's prized free-agent acquisition, Ilya Bryzgalov to find a groove this season. It’s hard to believe the netminder didn't even start the Winter Classic. But he rallied and is surging into the postseason. That said, NHL bettors aren’t sure that any one goalie can stop these two offensive trains over the long haul.

Pittsburgh's Marc-Andre Fleury has been tremendous this season as well, but this series will feature nine players with 20 or more goals (five Penguins, four Flyers), and Sidney Crosby - limited to 22 games - is not one of them.

In the regular-season series between these state rivals, the over went 3-2-1. And after the Penguins’ 4-2 win over the Flyers Saturday, which pushed with the 6-goal total, Pittsburgh finished 44-31-8 over/under while Philadelphia checked in at 43-37-2 over/under.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-09-2012, 05:52 PM

Puck Set To Drop On 2012 NHL Playoffs

It took all 1,230 games, but the 2012 NHL playoffs are finally set.

The chase for the Stanley Cup begins Wednesday night in Pittsburgh with what promises to be a very physical series between the rival Penguins and Flyers. Series openers continue Thursday, and the final quarterfinal matchup gets underway Friday night in Florida where the Panthers have home-ice advantage in their series against the New Jersey Devils.

Don Best Sports will follow the action right up through the NHL Finals. To get things started, here's a quick preview of the first-round series, including how the teams performed in their regular season matchups and early Cup and series odds.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(1) New York Rangers vs. (8) Ottawa Senators
Series Odds: Rangers -230; Senators +190
Cup Odds: Rangers +575; Senators +2200
Game 1: Thursday, April 12, 7:00 p.m. (ET)
Season Series: Senators 3-1 (1 shootout win); 1-1-2 'over/under/push'
Notes: New York captured the top seed in the East despite dropping five of its last seven. A No. 8 seed last year, the Rangers made a quick exit from the postseason by dropping a 5-game set to the Capitals in the opening round. Ottawa lost seven of its last 10,and the Sens have been taken out by the Penguins in the first round of their last two playoff appearances (2008, 2010).

(2) Boston Bruins vs. (7) Washington Capitals
Series Odds: Bruins -210; Capitals +180
Cup Odds: Bruins +600; Capitals +2000
Game 1: Thursday, April 12, 7:30 p.m. (ET)
Season Series: Capitals 3-1 (1 shootout win), 2-2 'over/under'
Notes: Washington advances to the postseason for a fifth straight year but has been knocked out in the first round three of their last five playoff appearances, including by Montreal in 2010 when the Caps were the top seed in the East. Boston is also in the postseason for a fifth consecutive year and has won its last three conference quarterfinals series.

(3) Florida Panthers vs. (6) New Jersey Devils
Series Odds: Devils -165; Panthers +145
Cup Odds: Panthers +2200; Devils +1500
Game 1: Friday, April 13, 7:00 p.m. (ET)
Season Series: 2-2 (Devils 1 shootout win); 2-1-1 'over/under/push'
Notes: Florida snapped a 5-game losing skid with a 4-1 win vs. Carolina in the season finale to win its first Southeast Division title, and will be in the playoffs for the first time since 2000. New Jersey missed the postseason a year ago, but enters this year's playoffs with the longest win streak (6) to close the regular season. The Devils are winless in their last three first-round matchups.

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (5) Philadelphia Flyers
Series Odds: Penguins -190; Flyers +160
Cup Odds: Penguins +500; Flyers +1100
Game 1: Wednesday, April 11, 7:30 p.m.
Season Series: Flyers 4-2 (1 overtime loss); 2-2-2 'over/under/push'
Notes: The most anticipated opening-round matchup finds the Keystone State rivals meeting in the playoffs for the first time since the 2009 Eastern Conference quarters (Penguins 4-2). Pittsburgh closed the regular season 18-4-1 while Philadelphia was 13-5-2 from March 1 forward. The Pens rank first in scoring (3.33 goals per game) while the Flyers (3.17) are tied for second with Boston.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Vancouver Canucks vs. (8) Los Angeles Kings
Series Odds: Canucks -175; Kings +155
Cup Odds: Canucks +525; Kings +1100
Game 1: Wednesday, April 11, 10:30 p.m. (ET)
Season Series: 2-2 (LA 1 shootout win); 1-0-3 'under/over/push'
Notes: Vancouver clinched its second straight Presidents' Trophy with a 3-0 whitewashing of Calgary on Saturday, the Canucks' eighth win in the final nine games. Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider combined for three shutouts in that span and limited the opposition to 14 goals overall. Los Angeles was a victim in one of those shutouts and lost its chance for a Pacific Division title by dropping back-to-back games against San Jose to end the regular season.

(2) St. Louis Blues vs. (7) San Jose Sharks
Series Odds: Blues -155; Sharks +135
Cup Odds: Blues +525; Sharks +950
Game 1: Thursday, April 12, 7:30 p.m. (ET)
Season Series: Blues 4-0; 3-1 'under'
Notes: San Jose is in the postseason for an eighth consecutive year and has won six of its last seven quarterfinal series. St. Louis stumbled down the stretch with eight losses in its last 12 (4 by shootout), and is in the playoffs for the first time since 2009 when the Blues were a 6-seed and swept out of the opening round by Vancouver. Their season sweep of the Sharks included an 11-3 goal differential.

(3) Phoenix Coyotes vs. (6) Chicago Blackhawks
Series Odds: Blackhawks -115; Coyotes -105
Cup Odds: Coyotes +2200; Blackhawks +1700
Game 1: Thursday, April 12, 10:00 p.m. (ET)
Season Series: Coyotes 3-1 (1 shootout win); 2-2 'over/under'
Notes: Phoenix raises its first division flag since the franchise's beginnings as the Winnipeg Jets in 1979-80, and enters the postseason with the West's No. 3 seed thanks to some amazing work between the pipes by Mike Smith down the stretch. Smith posted three shutouts in the Coyotes' final five games, recording a .990 save percentage in the process. Chicago lost out on a possible No. 4 seed by losing four of its final seven with five of the last six games going to a shootout.

(4) Nashville Predators vs. (5) Detroit Red Wings
Series Odds: Predators -125; Red Wings +105
Cup Odds: Predators +1100; Red Wings +1000
Game 1: Wednesday, April 11, 8:00 p.m. (ET)
Season Series: 3-3; 4-1-1 'under/over/push'
Notes: Nashville has home-ice advantage in the first round for the first time since 2007, and claimed the No. 4 seed thanks to six wins in its final eight games. That could be huge against a Detroit squad that led the NHL with 31 home victories (31-7-3), though the Red Wings faltered in Motown at the end with just one shootout triumph in their final four skates at Joe Louis Arena.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-11-2012, 12:35 PM

Penguins And Flyers Begin 2012 Stanley Cup Chase

By: Willie Bee | Tuesday, April 10, 2012

What a way to start the 2012 NHL Playoffs!

The puck drops on hockey's second season Wednesday night in Pittsburgh with a compelling first-round matchup between the host Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers. A battle between 4/5 seeds is always intriguing, but this all-Keystone State clash figures to be the most intense and physical conference quarterfinals series.

Pittsburgh opens the postseason as the team to beat according to the oddsmakers who priced the Eastern Conference's fourth seed at +500 to hoist Lord Stanley's hardware at the end. Vancouver (+525), St. Louis (+525) and the New York Rangers (+575) follow the Pens on the list, with the Flyers in the middle of the pack at +1100.

Game 1 sits on the NHL odds boards with Pittsburgh -170 to -180. The scoreboard total is 5½-6 goals depending where you shop.

Seeing a 6-goal total in many spots for the game is not surprising since the series matches two of the highest-scoring clubs on ice this season. The Penguins sit atop the charts averaging 3.33 goals per game with the Flyers close behind at 3.17, tied for second with the Boston Bruins. Both clubs also rank high on the power play list with 19.7 percent success rates. The biggest difference is Pittsburgh ranks third on the penalty kill (87.7%) while Philly is 17th (81.8%).

The Flyers took four of the six regular season meetings, one of the wins coming in overtime. Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby was absent in the first three matchups while he dealt with his concussion issues. Philadelphia won two of three while The Kid was out.

Four of the six battles saw at least six goals scored, but totals bettors ended up dead even on the season with a pair of 'overs,' two 'unders' plus a couple of sister-kissers.

The rivals are definitely no stranger to each other and faced off twice in the closing week. Both games were played in Pittsburgh with the outcomes split. Philadelphia's 6-4 win on April 1 turned into a brawl near the end of the game after the Flyers scored three times in the final period. The Penguins responded with a 4-2 victory in the season finale on April 7, their first win over the Flyers at Consol Energy Center in six tries.

The last time the teams met in the postseason was the opening round of the 2009 playoffs. Just like this year, that series started with two games in Pittsburgh, and the Penguins ended up taking care of business in six.

Preds & Wings Face Off In Music City

No team faces more of a must-win situation right off the bat than the Nashville Predators who host the Detroit Red Wings at Bridgestone Arena at 8:00 p.m. (ET). The Predators are a consensus -130 favorite for the contest with a 5-goal total for Wednesday's matchup.

Nashville's ability to maintain home-ice advantage could be the difference in a series that pits two of the NHL's best in their own arenas. Detroit boasts the top home record in the league after going 31-7-3 this season, a mark that includes an NHL record 23 consecutive victories at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings did stumble a bit in Motown near the end, including a 4-1 loss to the Predators who posted the second most road wins in the Western Conference (26). Still, even a split in the first two games could prove fatal to Nashville's hopes of advancing to the conference semifinals.

The season series was halved 3-3, each team 2-1 at home. The 'under' prevailed in four of the clashes with one 'push.' Music City will also host Game 2 on Friday before the series moves to Detroit for Games 3 and 4 on Sunday and Tuesday.

Kings Hope To Catch Canucks Looking Past First Round

Wednesday's nightcap gets underway at 10:30 p.m. (ET) inside Rogers Arena where the Vancouver Canucks take on the Los Angeles Kings. The Canucks opened -160 with that money line moving up to -170 by Tuesday afternoon. Wednesday's total is five.

The big news in Vancouver is that Daniel Sedin has been upgraded to probable for Wednesday's tilt. The team's leading goal scorer (30) missed the final nine regular season games with a concussion he suffered in the March 21 loss at Chicago. Despite his absence, the Canucks won eight of nine without him, thanks in large part to the efforts of goaltenders Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider who limited opponents to just 14 goals in that stretch.

Four regular season games between the squads were split down the middle with three of the four matchups 'pushing' 5-goal totals. The lone exception was the most recent battle in Vancouver about two weeks ago, a 1-0 whitewashing by Luongo and his mates.

Game 2 will be Friday back at Rogers Arena before moving to LA for Sunday's Game 3.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-11-2012, 12:38 PM

Playoff Cheat Sheet - West

April 9, 2012

Check out more NHL Odds and Playoff Props here!

Eastern Conference

(1) Vancouver Canucks vs. (8) Los Angeles Kings
Sportsbook.com Series Price: Canucks -200 Kings +160

Nov. 10 - Canucks 3 @ Kings 2
(Vancouver -105, Push 5)

Dec. 31 - Kings 4 vs. Canucks 1
(Los Angeles +115, Push 5)

Jan. 17 - Kings 3 @ Canucks 2 (Shootout)
(Los Angeles +155, Push 5)

Mar. 26 - Canucks 1 vs. Kings 0
(Vancouver -120, Under 5)

(2) St. Louis Blues vs. (7) San Jose Sharks
Sportsbook.com Series Price: Blues -155 Sharks +125

Oct. 15 - Blues 4 @ Sharks 2
(St. Louis +135, Over 5.5)

Dec. 10 - Blues 1 vs. Sharks 0
(St. Louis -110, Under 5)

Feb. 12 - Blues 3 vs. Sharks 0
(St. Louis +105, Under 5)

Mar. 3 - Blues 3 @ Sharks 1
(St. Louis +105, Under 5)

(3) Phoenix Coyotes vs. (6) Chicago Blackhawks
Sportsbook.com Series Price: Blackhawks -125 Coyotes -105

Oct. 18 - Blackhawks 5 @ Coyotes 2
(Chicago -125, Over 5.5)

Nov. 29 - Coyotes 4 @ Blackhawks 1
(Phoenix +135, Under 5.5)

Dec. 5 - Coyotes 4 @ Blackhawks 3 (Shootout)
(Phoenix +140, Over 5.5)

Feb. 11 - Coyotes 3 vs. Blackhawks 0
(Phoenix -120, Under 5.5)

(4) Nashville Predators vs. (5) Detroit Red Wings
Sportsbook.com Series Price: Predators -120 Red Wings -110

Nov. 26 - Red Wings 4 vs. Predators 1
(Detroit -130, Under 5.5)

Dec. 15 - Predators 4 vs. Red Wings 3
(Nashville +120, Over 5)

Dec. 26 - Red Wings 4 @ Predators 1
(Detroit -115, Under 5.5)

Feb. 17 - Red Wings 2 vs. Predators 1
(Detroit -140, Under 5.5)

Mar. 10 - Predators 3 vs. Red Wings 2
(Nashville -145, Push 5)

Mar. 30 - Predators 4 @ Red Wings 1
(Nashville +135, Under 5.5)

**StarDust Bum** · 04-11-2012, 12:40 PM

Playoff Cheat Sheet - East

April 9, 2012

Western Conference

(1) New York Rangers vs. (8) Ottawa Senators
Sportsbook.com Series Price: Rangers -240 Senators +180

Oct. 29 - Senators 5 @ Rangers 4 (Shootout)
(Ottawa +140, Over 5.5)

Nov. 9 - Rangers 3 @ Senators 2
(New York +110, Under 5.5)

Jan. 12 - Senators 3 vs. Rangers 0
(Ottawa +150, Under 5.5)

Mar. 8 - Senators 4 @ Rangers 1
(Ottawa -110, Push 5)

(2) Boston Bruins vs. (7) Washington Capitals
Sportsbook.com Series Price: Bruins -220 Capitals +170

Jan. 24 - Capitals 5 vs. Bruins 3
(Washington +150, Over 5.5)

Feb. 5 - Bruins 4 @ Capitals 1
(Boston -130, Under 5.5)

Mar. 10 - Capitals 4 @ Bruins 3
(Washington +180, Over 5.5)

Mar. 29 - Capitals 3 @ Bruins 2 (Shootout)
(Washington +160, Under 5.5)

(3) Florida Panthers vs. (6) New Jersey Devils
Sportsbook.com Series Price: Devils -200 Panthers +160

Nov. 21 - Panthers 4 vs. Devils 3
(Florida -120, Over 5)

Dec. 13 - Devils 3 @ Panthers 2 (Shootout)
(New Jersey +135, Push 5)

Jan. 6 - Devils 5 vs. Panthers 2
(New Jersey -135, Over 5)

Feb. 11 - Panthers 3 @ Devils 1 (Florida +135, Under 5)

(4) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (5) Philadelphia Flyers
Sportsbook.com Series Price: Penguins -190 Flyers+150

Dec. 8 - Flyers 3 vs. Penguins 2
(Philadelphia -120, Under 5.5)

Dec. 29 - Flyers 4 @ Penguins 2
(Philadelphia +120, Over 5.5)

Feb. 18 - Penguins 6 @ Flyers 4
(Pittsburgh -105, Over 5.5)

Mar. 18 - Flyers 3 vs. Penguins 2
(Philadelphia +120, Under 5.5)

Apr. 1 - Flyers 6 @ Penguins 4
(Philadelphia +180, Over 6)

Apr. 6 - Penguins 4 @ Flyers 2
(Pittsburgh -170, Push 6)

**StarDust Bum** · 04-11-2012, 12:42 PM

Series to Watch

Nashville Predators Hope To Hold Home Ice Advantage Over Detroit Red Wings

Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN will be the site of Wednesday, April 11th's NHL betting showdown between the Nashville Predators (48-26-8) and the Detroit Red Wings (48-28-6).

You'll be able to catch the puck drop on this one at 8:00 ET on CNBC and CBC.

Home ice advantage is always crucial here in the playoffs, but it is even more of an edge in this series between two teams that have already faced off six times over the course of the regular season.

Nashville had to know when it beat the NHL betting odds against the Colorado Avalanche in the final game of the regular season that it was in great shape, while Detroit had to have a sinking feeling after losing in a shootout to the Chicago Blackhawks on the road earlier that afternoon.

The Predators are a fantastic home team. They went 26-10-5 this year here at Bridgestone Arena, and Pekka Rinne has historically been virtually unbeatable in this building. This year, he went 25-8-5 at home with a 2.33 GAA, and he has an 86-33-17 record for his career in this building as well.

Meanwhile, when you look at the NHL betting splits for the Red Wings and the difference between their home and road records, you have to cringe. Sure, they dominated at home this year, rolling off 23 straight wins, an NHL record.

They ended with a 31-7-3 record at Joe Louis Arena, the best home record amongst all teams in the league. That being said, they went just 17-21-3 on the road, the worst mark for a team in the Western Conference playoffs and the second worst record on the road in the entire postseason; just in front of the Washington Capitals. It should come as no surprise that home ice advantage has already stood up in this series in the regular season.

The home team went 4-2 in the six clashes against the NHL betting odds, with both teams winning on enemy ice once over the course of the year.

Nashville definitely has the edge, though. It comes into the postseason on a three-game winning streak in which it has outscored teams 10-2. Detroit has lost four out of six, and it doesn't have a regulation victory in six straight games.

Beating the NHL betting lines can be a snap, but only if you've got the right sportsbook at your fingertips. Ready to back the Nashville Predators or to try out the Detroit Red Wings? Bookmaker Sportsbook has you covered, and we have the best prices you'll find on the 'net. Don't miss the action and join right now! Bookmaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go.

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Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins Begin Crucial 4/5 Series

The battle on the NHL playoff lines will be hot and heavy on Wednesday, April 11th between the Philadelphia Flyers (47-26-9) and the Pittsburgh Penguins (51-25-6). It all gets started at Consol Energy Arena in Pittsburgh, PA with the puck dropping at 7:30 ET. Live television coverage is set for the NBC Sports Network and TSN. The Penguins and the Flyers hate each other as much as any two teams in hockey right now, and when these two battle each other against the NHL playoff lines, anything can happen.

It is clear that entering this series, the advantage goes to the Pens. They are the favorites to win the whole enchilada this year in spite of the fact that they are the #4 seed in the East, though they do come into the postseason sporting the most wins in the league with 51. Pittsburgh's season really hinged on the play of Evgeni Malkin, who is sure to be the Hart Memorial Trophy winner this year after running away with the league lead in points. James Neal proved to be a valuable commodity in his first full year in the Steel City, while of course, finally getting Sidney Crosby back on the ice has proven to be a tremendous boost to a team that was already fantastic offensively.

For quite some time though, it was Philly and not Pittsburgh that boasted the best offensive unit in the league. The Flyers never really did get their goaltending situation worked out, but they did score 264 goals this year; the third best mark in the Eastern Conference. If they are going to beat the NHL betting lines at all in this series, they are going to have to make sure that they get a bunch of great looks at Marc-Andre Fleury.

Philly picked up Ilya Bryzgalov just for this situation. He is going to enter the postseason as the team's undisputed net minder, something that we haven't seen out of the Flyersat all in the past few years. However, Bryzgalov will be up against it taking on Fleury, a man that has already played his way to a Stanley Cup title in his career.

This is going to be the third bout between these two teams on the NHL wagering lines in the last week and a half in this venue. The two teams split the clashes, but Philadelphia won the season series 4-2.

If you're looking for the best NHL lines on the internet, you've come to the right place here at Bookmaker Sportsbook. Try to beat the moneylines, puck lines, or 'totals' in the clash between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins right now!

Access live betting lines from your mobile device at Bookmaker sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker's live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with Bookmaker today!

**StarDust Bum** · 04-11-2012, 12:44 PM

Playoff MVP Odds

April 11, 2012

Wednesday will mark the start of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs, a two-month long affair that will see a field of 16 teams whittled down to just one final champion. Along the way, one certain player will set himself apart from the rest and win the Conn Smythe trophy - awarded annually to the playoffs MVP. Over at Bovada's online sportsbook, a series of futures odds have been made with regards to who will win this prestigious hardware. Let's take a look, shall we?

Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh, 11/1
Malkin is one of just six ex-Conn Smythe winners in this year's playoff field. He won the award during Pittsburgh's Stanley Cup championship of 2009, edging out teammate Sidney Crosby to become one of the youngest winners in league history (22 years old.) This year, Malkin has been a beast for the Penguins, leading the team with 50 goals and over 100 points, once again emerging as a legit contender to Crosby's "best player in the league" title. He's a dynamic, effective and lethal scorer that has carried his team at times throughout the year. He's a deserving leading candidate for the Conn Smythe.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh, 11/1
It seems odd that two players who, theoretically, should cancel each other out for Conn Smythe odds are listed as the two favorites…but that's how highly folks think of the Penguins' chances to win it all. Crosby has been on a tear since returning from December's concussion setback and, had he played a full 82 game schedule, was on pace to score 134 points - which would've beaten Malkin's mark by a large margin.

Daniel Sedin, 16/1
Here's a dicey one. On paper, Sedin is a very strong candidate for potential Conn Smythe accolades - he's Vancouver's leading goalscorer and, a season ago, was nominated for all the major trophies, winning the Ted Lindsay while finishing runner up to Corey Perry for the Hart. Sedin is a dynamic and effective goalscorer that has a penchant for getting stronger as the season goes along, thanks in large part to the chemistry between him and his brother, Henrik. Vancouver is a strong candidate to get out of the Western Conference and should they get there, Daniel will be a part of it…or will he? He missed the final nine games of the regular season with a concussion and while it's expected he'll return for Game 1, he missed Tuesday's practice for undisclosed reasons. Keep an eye on his status if you are planning on making a wager…

Tim Thomas, 22/1
Couldn't write this piece without mentioning the reigning playoffs MVP, Tim Thomas. The Bruins goalie had another fantastic statistical season this year and is being pushed by the fact that, at age 37, he might not have many more kicks at the Stanley Cup. Look for him to have a really strong playoff and possibly carry Boston to back-to-back championships…if they can get through the Penguins, that is.

The gloves are off. Bet on the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs at Bovada.

Conn Smythe Winner Odds

How to read the Odds:
Bet $100 on Sidney Crosby to win $1,100
Bet $100 on Jimmy Howard to win $3,500

Evgeni Malkin (PIT) 11/1
Sidney Crosby (PIT) 11/1
Henrik Lundqvist (NYR) 16/1
Henrik Sedin (VAN) 16/1
Daniel Sedin (VAN) 16/1
Roberto Luongo (VAN) 20/1
Tim Thomas (BOS) 22/1
Pekka Rinne (NAS) 25/1
Marian Gaborik (NYR) 25/1
Brian Elliott (STL) 25/1
Pavel Datsyuk (DET) 30/1
Brad Richards (NYR) 30/1
Claude Giroux (PHI) 30/1
Marc-Andre Fleury (PIT) 30/1
Jaroslav Halak (STL) 30/1
Jimmy Howard (DET) 35/1
James Neal (PIT) 35/1
David Perron (STL) 35/1
Jonathan Toews (CHI) 40/1
Henrik Zetterberg (DET) 40/1
Alexander Radulov (NAS) 40/1
Ilya Bryzgalov (PHI) 40/1
David Backes (STL) 40/1
Ryan Kesler (VAN) 40/1
Patrice Bergeron (BOS) 45/1
David Krejci (BOS) 45/1
Milan Lucic (BOS) 45/1
Anze Kopitar (LA) 45/1
Ilya Kovalchuk (NJ) 45/1
Joe Thornton (SJ) 45/1
Alex Ovechkin (WAS) 45/1
Marian Hossa (CHI) 50/1
Patrick Kane (CHI) 50/1
Kris Versteeg (FLA) 50/1
Jonathan Quick (LA) 50/1
Martin Erat (NAS) 50/1
Martin Brodeur (NJ) 50/1
Ryan Callahan (NYR) 50/1
Mike Smith (PHO) 50/1
Antti Niemi (SJ) 50/1
Tyler Seguin (BOS) 60/1
Jason Spezza (OTT) 60/1
Scott Hartnell (PHI) 60/1
Jaromir Jagr (PHI) 60/1
Ray Whitney (PHO) 60/1
Nicklas Backstrom (WAS) 60/1
Tomas Fleischmann (FLA) 65/1
Stephen Weiss (FLA) 65/1
Zach Parise (NJ) 65/1
Patrick Marleau (SJ) 65/1
Patrick Sharp (CHI) 75/1
Valtteri Filppula (DET) 75/1
Mike Richards (LA) 75/1
Jeff Carter (LA) 75/1
Andrei Kostitsyn (NAS) 75/1
Patrik Elias (NJ) 75/1
Logan Couture (SJ) 75/1
T.J. Oshie (STL) 75/1
Daniel Alfredsson (OTT) 80/1
Shane Doan (PHO) 80/1
Alexander Semin (WAS) 85/1
Erik Karlsson (OTT) 100/1
Milan Michalek (OTT) 100/1
Radim Vrbata (PHO) 100/1
Braden Holtby (WAS) 100/1

**StarDust Bum** · 04-11-2012, 12:47 PM

Flyers, Pens square off

April 11, 2012

Sportsbook.com Stanley Cup Playoff Odds
No. 5 PHILADELPHIA FLYERS vs. No. 4 PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Season Series: Flyers won 4-2
Sportsbook.com Series Price: Pittsburgh -220, Philadelphia +180
Game 1 Line & Total: Penguins -175 & 5.5 over -130

Bitter in-state rivals square off in the most anticipated first-round series of the NHL Playoffs as the No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers take on the No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins.

It's a bit of a shame that these two Atlantic Division rivals have to meet in the first round, considering both have the depth and firepower to make a deep run through the playoffs-the Pens (3.3) and Flyers (3.2) rank first and second, respectively, in the NHL in goals per game. The Flyers won the season series, but that figure is misleading considering the litany of injuries the Penguins suffered throughout the season-none bigger than the concussion to captain Sidney Crosby (8 G, 29 A in 22 games). This will be the third playoff meeting between the two clubs since 2008, with the Penguins both times advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Three Important Things to Watch for in this Series:

1. The Impact of Flyers Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov
When the Flyers signed Bryzgalov to a monster nine-year, $51 million deal back in June, it was done with the expectation that he would be the elite goalie that finally put Philly over the top in the postseason. There will be enormous pressure on the Russian netminder to live up to his contract and be the "missing piece" to supplement Philadelphia's dangerous offense and stout defense. But the Flyers could not have drawn up a tougher first round opponent than the Penguins-who have scored at will since Crosby returned to the lineup (4+ goals in 11 of 14 games).

2. The Depth of the Penguins
There's no denying that, when healthy, the Penguins are the deepest and most talented team in the league at the forward position. No squad can compete with Pittsburgh's depth up the middle, boasting three elite centers in Crosby, Evgeni Malkin (50 G, 59 A) and Jordan Staal (25 G, 25 A). The fact that Malkin, the NHL's points leader, is the second-line center on the Pens speaks to just how scary this team is. But all three of these players have had their fair share of health problems over the past 18 months, as has sniper James Neal (40 G, 41 A)-currently listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. Assuming they all stay healthy, it's hard to imagine any team beating the Pens in a seven-game series.

3. Enough on the Blueline?
The Flyers blueline will face a ridiculously tough test trying to contain the high-octane Pittsburgh offense-and they might have to do it without some key defenders. Andrej Meszaros (7 G, 18 A) is still recovering from back surgery and trade deadline-acquisition Nicklas Grossman (lower body) is listed as day-to-day-not to mention the fact that team captain and shutdown d-man Chris Pronger is out for the year with severe post-concussion syndrome. Philly also has some injuries up front. LW James van Riemsdyk (7 goals in 11 postseason games in 2011) is still a couple weeks away from fully recovering from a broken foot, and Danny Briere (59 points in 57 playoff games with Philly) is out indefinitely with a back injury suffered at the hands of Penguins' fourth-liner Joe Vitale. With so many (potential) missing pieces, it remains to be seen whether the Flyers can handle Pittsburgh's relentless forecheck.

To the average fan, these odds might seem steep considering this is a 4-5 matchup, but it shouldn't be surprising considering how scary this Penguins lineup is when healthy. With a healthy Crosby back in the lineup, Pittsburgh is the clear favorite to the win the Cup. It's hard to imagine two teams hating each other more than the Penguins and Flyers, though, and that is sure to create a physical and grueling series-which usually works to even out any disparities in talent. If the Penguins stay disciplined and avoid taking retaliatory penalties against the league's most penalized team, they have a clear advantage in this series-especially on the blue line.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-12-2012, 01:31 AM

I forgot to post these plays from today....but here what i had.

NHL Best Bets:

NHL
Wednesday, April 11

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Philadelphia - 7:30 PM ET Philadelphia +156 500
Pittsburgh - Over 5.5 500

Detroit - 8:00 PM ET Nashville -127 500
Nashville - Under 5 500

Los Angeles - 10:30 PM ET Los Angeles +147 500
Vancouver - Under 5 500

**StarDust Bum** · 04-12-2012, 01:34 AM

Boston Bruins Begin Cup Defense Vs Capitals

The Boston Bruins starting the defense of their Stanley Cup championship is one of four NHL playoff games on Thursday night.

The playoffs get underway a day earlier on Wednesday with three contests. Let’s update those lines first with Pittsburgh a 180 home favorite over Philadelphia. The total is the interesting number with some books offering 5½, but the smarter ones at six. This should be a high scoring series, with Game 1 starting that trend off.

Detroit is at Nashville, with the home team -130 and the total at five (shaded to the ‘over’). This is a different Predators group and Pekka Rinne is a terrific goalie, but they still have to prove themselves in the playoffs, while the Red Wings have ‘been there and done that.’ They could be a live ‘dog on Wednesday.

The final game is the Los Angeles Kings at the Vancouver Canucks. DonBest.com’s Brian Blessing believes the Kings will give the Canucks all they can handle in this series, winning one of the first two in Vancouver. The Kings are +140 in Game 1 and this should be a low scoring series (Game 1 total is five and shaded to the ‘under’).

After being listed as probable for Wednesday's game vs. the Kings, Daniel Sedin will sit out Game 1 as he continues to deal with a concussion suffered March 21 in Chicago.

Ottawa at the New York Rangers (-175) kicks off the four Thursday games. The total is five and shaded to the ‘under’ with Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist a big reason. This should be an ‘under’ series mostly, but Game 1 is a good ‘over’ opportunity as both teams feel each other out.

The defending champ Bruins get Washington in the first round. The Bruins are -185 for Game 1 with the goaltending edge with Tim Thomas, but the Caps have a lot of offensive firepower. Look for a high scoring game in the opener (total of five, shaded to the ‘over’).

The final two games on Thursday have some good underdog opportunities. San Jose is at St. Louis and while the Blues swept the season series 4-0 and had a great year, they look overvalued as -160 favorites in Game 1. San Jose also has a great chance to win the series as the 'dog there as well.

We wrap it up with Chicago at Phoenix. The Coyotes are another overachiever even with a very good player like Shane Doan. They are -125 favorites in Game 1 and the total is five, shaded to the ‘over.’ Look for Chicago to make some noise in Game 1 and also make a nice run throughout the playoffs.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-12-2012, 01:21 PM

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Senators @ Rangers-- Rangers have home ice advantage in playoff series for first time since ’96; New York is top seed in east, will have home ice in first three rounds, if they advance. Coach Tortorella won Cup with ’04 Lightning, but hasn’t won playoff series (0-4) since. Rangers are just 2-3 in first round series since ’98. Ottawa hasn’t won playoff series (0-2) since losing ’07 final to Ducks; overall they’re 5-7 in first round series. Rangers lost four of last five vs Ottawa. This is first time Ottawa/Rangers have met in playoffs; Blueshirts are 18-14 in Ottawa, but just 14-21 at home vs Senators. Rangers lost their last four regular season games, Senators lost their last three.

Caps @ Bruins-- Washington beat Bruins three of four this season, but Boston won Stanley Cup LY for first time since 1972 (first final since ’90); they won three of last four first round series, after not having a series win from 2000-07. Bruins split two previous playoff series with Washington, with last one 14 years ago. Capitols are 2-5 in first round series since losing in ’98 Cup finals; four of their last six playoff series went seven games (Caps 1-3 in those Game 7’s). Washington is 17-40 in Beantown; Bruins are 32-23 in DC. Washington won four of its last five games overall, Bruins won nine of last 12.

Sharks @ Blues-- St Louis swept Sharks 4-0 this season, outscoring them 12-3. Blues made Cup finals in first three years in existence (‘68-’70), but were swept all three times and have never been back. San Jose won seven of last eight first round series; they’ve lost in Western finals last two years, but are 31-43 vs St Louis, even though Sharks won two of three playoff series vs team, with last one in ’04. Blues haven’t won a playoff game in seven years, getting swept 4-0 by Canucks in ’09 series that’s their only playoff appearance in last six seasons, until now. Blues lost eight of last 12 games, overall; Sharks won their last four games to get to this point.

Blackhawks @ Coyotes-- Phoenix Coyotes have never won playoff series (0-7) since moving to desert; their last such win was in ’93 as Winnipeg Jets- overall, they’re 2-18 in playoff series (0-10 vs Detroit/Edmonton), but they come into playoffs red-hot, winning last five games while allowing only two goals. This is their first playoff meeting with the Blackhawks, who won Stanley Cup two years ago, its first since ’61, then got beat in first round LY; since ’97, they’re 2-3 in first round series. Coyotes won their last three games with Chicago, allowing four goals- they're 4-2 in last six visits to Windy City.

Devils @ Panthers-- Florida lost eight of last ten games coming into their first playoff appearance in 12 years. New Jersey missed playoffs LY, got beat in first round three years before that, so they’re starved for series win, but not as hungry as Florida, which last made playoffs when they lost Final in ’96, just their 3rd year in NHL- they haven’t won playoff series (0-2) since. Florida lost its only playoff series with New Jersey, scoring six goals total in four-game Devil sweep in ’00. New Jersey is 20-13 in Miami, 23-10 vs Panthers at home. Teams split 12 games over last three years, going 3-3 in each building.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-12-2012, 01:27 PM

NHL Playoff Preview: Capitals vs. Bruins

2012 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
No. 7 WASHINGTON CAPITALS

vs. No. 2 BOSTON BRUINS

Starts: Thursday in Boston
Season Series: Washington Won 3-1
Series Price: Boston -240, Washington +190

The Boston Bruins’ Stanley Cup title defense begins on Thursday night as the Washington Capitals head to Beantown to kick off their Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series.

The Bruins look to become the first team to win back-to-back Stanley Cups since the Detroit Red Wings did it in 1997 and 1998. Just one year after blowing a 3-0 series lead to the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Boston learned from its mistakes and won three Game 7s en route to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup since 1972. Washington, meanwhile, is a franchise that has been defined by playoff failures. For the second straight season, the Capitals earned the No. 1 seed in the East, and for the second straight season, the Capitals were bounced from the playoffs much too early—last year, in an embarrassing 4-0 sweep at the hands of division rival Tampa Bay. This year, the Caps will shift into the role of the underdog as they try to upend the defending champs.

Three Important Things to Watch for in this Series:
1. Hanging By A (Third) String
As if the Capitals weren’t facing enough obstacles heading into this series, Head Coach Dale Hunter must turn to third-string goaltender Braden Holtby (4-2-1, 2.50 GAA, .922 SV Pct.) with Tomas Vokoun (groin) and Michal Neuvirth (knee) both sidelined with injuries. Holtby spent most of the season in the AHL as the Capitals’ top goalie prospect, but with the length of Vokoun and Neuvirth’s injuries undetermined, the 22-year-old Holtby will face an incredibly daunting task as he prepares to make his first career playoff start on Thursday. Holtby is an impressive 14-4-3 with three shutouts in his NHL career, and he has shown tremendous confidence and poise between the pipes for Washington, but the playoffs are completely different animal. In front of Holtby is a poor defense that ranks in the bottom third of the league, allowing an average of 2.8 goals per game. And especially against a team as large and physical as the Bruins, who will undoubtedly create havoc in front of the crease, the young Holtby will truly need to play beyond reasonable expectations for the Capitals to win this series.

2. The Relentless B’s
After a brief Stanley Cup hangover in October, the Bruins rattled off an incredible 21-3-1 record in the months of November and December—displaying the fast paced, in-your-face attack that helped them win a Cup last June. Boston’s relentless, attacking style can catch teams off guard (just ask the Canucks), and the Bruins’ scoring depth throughout the lineup is second to none. The B’s had six different skaters tally 20+ goals (more than any other team), and incredibly, scored six or more goals in 13 games this season. Boston’s ability to pour it on and blow teams out could mean big trouble for a traditionally weak-minded and panic-prone team like the Caps, who lack the defensive depth and crease clearing ability to withstand these waves of pressure. If the Capitals have any chance of keeping this series competitive, there will need to be a greater commitment from the forwards to play the full sheet of ice and assist their defenders—and especially their young goaltender—in the defensive zone.

3. Backstrom’s Impact
The return of top line center Nicklas Backstrom (14 G, 30 A) to the lineup after missing 40 games with a concussion will be a gigantic boost for a Capitals team with no depth up the middle to speak of, but questions still remain about how big of an impact the 24-year-old pivot can have as he returns to game shape. Backstrom is just two years removed from a remarkable 101-point season, but the Swede tallied just one goal and one assist in his four games back from injury. The good news is: both of those points came in the final game of the season—a 4-1 road win over the Rangers—but Backstrom will now face an intimidating physical test against a the gritty Bruins. Backstrom is the kind of player who makes everyone around him better, and no Capitals player knows this more than linemate, and leading scorer Alex Ovechkin (38 G, 27 A). With very little scoring depth in the Washington lineup, the Capitals must get terrific production from Backstrom and Ovechkin in order to advance past the first round.

******* Analysis:
There really isn’t much to fear in this series for bettors backing Boston. The Bruins hold a significant advantage at all three of the key positions—and it isn’t even close. Boston’s offense tallied 269 goals in the regular season (2nd-most in NHL), while the Capitals rotated a handful of minor-leaguers at the most important offensive position (center) for much of the season. The Bruins feature a Norris Trophy-winning defenseman in Zdeno Chara (12 G, 40 A) who can neutralize Ovechkin and Backstrom, while Washington relies on 22-year-old John Carlson and 23-year-old Karl Alzner as its “shutdown” pairing. And between the pipes, the B’s have last year’s Vezina Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy winner in Tim Thomas (35-19-1, 2.36 GAA, .920 SV Pct.), while the Caps counter with a 22-year-old rookie making his first career postseason start. Washington might steal one on home ice, but don’t expect much more from a clearly overmatched Capitals club. Prediction: BRUINS IN 5.

**StarDust Bum** · 04-12-2012, 01:29 PM

NHL Playoff Preview: Senators vs. Rangers

2012 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
No. 8 OTTAWA SENATORS

vs. No. 1 NEW YORK RANGERS

Starts: Thursday in New York
Season Series: Ottawa Won 3-1
Series Price: New York -240, Ottawa +190

The top-seeded New York Rangers look to build off their best season in 18 years when they take on the eighth-seeded Ottawa Senators in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

The Rangers grabbed their first Atlantic Division title and Eastern Conference regular season since their Stanley Cup season in 1993-94 and the Senators return to the postseason just one year after finishing with the third-lowest point total in the East. From a betting perspective, both teams seriously overachieved the preseason point totals set by Vegas, as New York’s 109 points far surpassed the line of 94.5 and Ottawa’s 92 absolutely destroyed the 74.5 set by oddsmakers—the lowest preseason total of any NHL team. The Senators limped in to the postseason, losing three straight in regulation to end the season to slip down from the seventh seed into the eighth spot. Expectations are extremely high in The Big Apple, but the Rangers enter the series on a skid of their own, having lost three of their past four contests. So any expected advantage the Blueshirts should have based on their seed should be tempered as they prepare to face an Ottawa team with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Three Important Things to Watch for in this Series:
1. King Henrik
The biggest difference for this year’s version of the Rangers has been the added offensive depth to supplement its world-class goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (39-18-5, 1.97 GAA, .930 SV Pct.). Few teams in the league have a goaltender who can single-handedly win a series for their team, but Lundqvist is certainly capable of doing just that. But unlike 2009 and 2011, where the Rangers struggled mightily to score goals, New York ranks in the top third of the league in goals per game (2.7) this year, giving Lundqvist and the Blueshirts a greater margin for error in this postseason. If the Rangers advance into the later rounds, the value of Lundqvist becomes much bigger, but New York’s defense (2.2 goals allowed per game—3rd in NHL) is stout enough to stifle a top-heavy Senators lineup.

2. Secondary Scoring
The Senators’ biggest obstacle in this series will be the lack of secondary scoring in their lineup. Even though Ottawa ranked fourth in the NHL in goals per game (3.0), only three forwards eclipsed the 20-goal mark: top line C Jason Spezza (34 G, 50 A) and LW Milan Michalek (35 G, 25 A) and captain Daniel Alfredsson (27 G, 32 A). If the Sens can’t get help from guys like Nick Foligno (15 G, 32 A) and trade deadline acquisition Kyle Turris (12 G, 17 A), it could be a swift exit for Ottawa. The Rangers will also need contributions from their bottom-line forwards, though. Top liners Marian Gaborik (41 G, 35 A) and Brad Richards (25 G, 41 A) are a dangerous duo, but captain Ryan Callahan (29 G, 25 A) and second-line C Derek Stepan (17 G, 34 A) are the only other 50+ point producers for New York. The Senators’ defense should be weak enough for the Rangers to get by (2.9 goals allowed per game—24th goals against per game), but it could also cost them a few games and extend this series longer than it needs to be.

3. Killer Karlsson
The Senators’ slim chance for a run through the playoffs rests on the young shoulders of its most valuable player: defenseman Erik Karlsson (19 G, 59 A). The 21-year-old blue linerled all NHL defensemen in points by an insanely wide margin of 25 points (Winnipeg’s Dustin Byfuglien and Florida’s Brian Campbell tied for second with 53 each). In just his second full season in the NHL, Karlsson is already a Norris Trophy candidate and his ability to move the puck up the ice and facilitate to his forwards makes him arguably the most valuable d-man in the league. The only question is how such a young player will respond to grueling rigors of the NHL playoffs—especially against such a tight checking team like the Rangers. Karlsson tallied five assists in four games against New York this season.

******* Analysis:
Unlike the 1-8 matchup in the Western Conference, there isn’t enough value in the underdog to consider a play on the Senators. Among the eight first-round series, this is the most lopsided from an odds perspective. At first glance, it seems to be priced correctly if you examine the full body of work of each team, but the month of March should give any potential New York bettor some pause before wagering on this series. Even though the Rangers won the conference, they did it by building a cushion in first five months of the season. The Blueshirts showed signs of weakness in March, posting an average 10-6-1 record in the final full month of the season—not to mention the 1-3-0 limp to the finish in April. It’s completely possible that the slide resulted from complacency and simply saving energy for the playoffs, but it’s still too pricy to risk a play in this spot. The Rangers should ultimately prevail with a deeper blue line and an elite netminder, but it’s smarter to stay away from this expensive line. Prediction: RANGERS IN 6.

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