Betting Picks, Tips and Previews for Hockey

Chi Blackhawks @ Phil Flyers – NHL Game 6 

This final is red hot. At least this final will have at least 6 games, instead of the minimum 4 games. This is what everyone likes, as after this big final, the season will be over. And as much equalized this final seems, it will have a better taste for the winner. as at this point, anyone can win. This game 6 will be at Philadelphia, where the Flyers will have to win to tie this series and force a game 7.

In the first 5 games, the home team always won. Besides that, only game 2 had an under, but that was the exception and it wouldn’t be strange if that game ended with an over. So, the magical formula seems “bet against the road team, and put also a coin in the over”.

Despite the 3-2 result against the Blackhawks, the Flyers are showing a great game and gave great replies at Chicago. Only the first period in the last game the Hawks were clearly able to control the Read More

Chicago Blackhawks @ Phil Flyers – NHL 

This will be game 3, and perhaps the game that can give us a clear vision of who will be the champion. Philadelphia is down 2-0, but they aren’t out of the road. We can’t forget the epic series they had against the Bruins. Another important thing to keep in mind, is that the Flyers are 22-7 in their last 29 home games, including a 4-0 run since their bounce back against the Bruins.

Is highly probable that the Blackhawks will make the same approach for this game as they have done lately in their road games. Their goal will be to come back home with a win at Philadelphia, an they know that they are stronger than the Flyers. They are with a 13-2 run lately in this playoffs, including a 7-0 run with their 4-0 win against the (theoretically) strongest contenders.

On the road, they explore a lot their offense, as it’s easier to a team like them to make best offensive plays when they have more space. Despite a great road record, they will face a team that will have to play like equal to Read More

Philadelphia Flyers @ Chi Blackhawks – NHL 

After a great game starting this Stanley Cup final, the expectations of a great final are high. The Flyers were able to be in the lead during the game for some time, due to 5 goals scored in the fist 2 periods. But in the last period, the Hawks were finally able to bounce back, scoring while suffering none goal.

The game didn’t have lot’s of shots, but had a great accuracy. Both teams are motivated, and even with a loss, the Flyers are pretty good to handle with defeats. But after such a great game from both teams, we could expect the same confidence from the players to score easily today as well.

One particularity is that only Flyers had PP situations, scoring only one PP goal. From these goad teams in PP situations, we can expect a great improve today, and more than only one PP goal in the Read More

SJ Sharks @ Chicago Blackhawks – NHL 

Game 3, with the home team leading 2-0.

They will have their chance to increase their lead and even end this series as they will have now two home games. However, no one thinks that would happen. First of all, the Sharks aren´t less than the Hawks, and are able to win at Chicago as well. But also, no one wants to see this final ending with only 4 games, more games are expected for most of the NHL fans, and it would be unfair to see one team snap this final Read More

Phil Flyers @ Montreal Canadiens – NHL 

Third game of the Eastern Conference Final with the Montreal Canadiens playing at home against the Philadelphia Flyers.

This is the first game in Montreal after two games in Philadelphia. Flyers are leading the series by 2 – 0 after two home victories. I know that in NHL nothing is certain but that two games show that the Flyers team is much better than their opponents. I think that they want to end this thing the quickest possible, and for that, they will have to win a away game and I think that will be in this game.

Montreal Canadiens team hasn’t been able to stop the Flyers team, after beating teams like the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins, they weren’t able to do good things in this final. They Read More

Mon Canadiens @ Philadelphia Flyers – NHL 

A really easy game. It was what we have seen in the game 1, something that no one expected. Most of the games played so far have been very balanced, and won by few goals. We have to recoil the second game at Detroit that the Sharks did to see another game in this year playoffs won by 6 goals. At game one, the winner was clear and unquestionable, with a 6-0 result for the Flyers.

The Canadiens have arrived in this conference final due to their will and some demerit from their opponents. Even so, they deserve this spot, as they never gave up, playing a solid defense game and taking Read More

Chicago Blackhawks @ SJ Sharks – NHL 

At game 1, we had 85 shots and only 3 goals. The defenses were the starts at that night. Unfortunately, the Sharks lost that game 1-2, after scoring first and ended the first period in the lead. An hard game that could end for both sides. Even with 45 shots, the Sharks were only able to score 1 goal, in Powerplay. With this loss, the Sharks weren´t able to end the road winning streak that the Blackhawks have, that have increased for six.

The Blackhawks are showing an incredible defense at this playoffs, specially on road. What seemed their weakest spot, is turning in their best spot, and with this change, the Blackhawks are able to run for this series like equals against the Sharks, who seemed the favorites. However, I still see the Sharks as favorites, as they only have to manage to overcame the Blackhawks defense to win this conference final. The Read More

Philadelphia Flyers @ Boston Bruins – NHL 

A celebration atmosphere is in Boston

The Celtics team just won against the favourite for the title the Cleveland Cavaliers of Lebron James and tonight in the same pavilion the Boston Bruins will play against the Philadelphia Flyers in the decisive game 7 of the Eastern Conference semi final.

After they were winning 3 – 0, the Bruins lost the next three games and the momentum is now in the Read More

Mon Canadiens @ Pittsburgh Penguins – NHL 

At this point, no one can easily say that the favorite will win. The memories of last last month game, more specifically in 28 April, are among everyone. The Canadiens were able to shutdown the super favorites Caps at Washington in game 7. Can they accomplish the same tonight? After all, one of the most similar teams to the Caps, are the Pens themselves. And against that kind of teams, that are mostly offensive, the Canadiens are able to make great performances due to a solid and cohesive defense. When the game start tonight, it will be impossible to believe that the Pens star with the edge.

They are the big favorites (as it happened at Washington…), but they can be very confident, as nobody forgets to remember the game 7 at Washington. They can see themselves as the Caps, with the offensive power and Read More

Chicago Blackhawks @ Van Canucks – NHL 

This has been the worst series for me. If I bet in Chicago they lose, if I bet in Vancouver they lose. A series that has been irregular in results where the teams just got victories away from home. Chicago has everything to move forward. They lost the first game, but then they showed an excellent behaviour and they won the next three games, two in the General Motors Place. With a comfortable advantage they could close the series at home in Game 5, but they weren’t able to do it because the experience of Vancouver is important and hey won 4 – 1 and delay the decision of the series.

Its impressive the fact that Vancouver weren’t able to be stronger in the two home games. That happens because of the indiscipline and bad games of Luongo, the team lost Games 3 and 4 and Read More

Chicago Blackhawks @ Vanc Canucks – NHL 

This series have the potential to be one of the best series so far in this 2010 playoffs. When the Canucks entered the series with a win, stealing the Blackhawks home advantage, the Blackhawks were able to recover it in the first game in Vancouver.

Due to the fact that these two teams are probably the teams in best shape and with the most attractive kind of game, this is an authentic show. With 2-1 in this series favoring the Blackhawks, have all the ingredients to go to Read More

Boston Bruins @ Philadelphia Flyers – NHL 

At this point, the picture looks ugly for the Flyers. They are one step away from the end of the season, as they are losing 3-0 this series. One more defeat, and the players will begin their holidays.

However, it’s not credible for the Flyers, and even allowed, to go home without any win in this series. They will play today at home again against a rival. Despite some injuries that are making this final path hard, the team is the kind of team that never give up, that will give their best to try to Read More

SJ Sharks @ Detroit RW – NHL 

It will be a surprise if we see the Red Wings saying goodbye to this season with an overall of 4-0 this series. That kind of blowout will never be easy to accept in Detroit. With a 3-0 disadvantage in the series against the Sharks, today (and if they win, the next games), it will be their final. It´s true that the team, after a “not good enough” regular season, it will go probably home soon. The Sharks are at this time the best contenders for the Stanley Cup.

Despite the Red Wings allowed 4 goals in each game of this series against the Sharks, tonight they will have to use their biggest edge, their defense. At home, this team can defend pretty well, with an Read More

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Mon Canadiens – NHL 

There is a great value for the Canadiens tonight. Even they lost again the home advantage (that they had steal in Pittsburgh in game 2), they are not the kind of team that will quit because of it. They can move many supporters, supporters that fill the arena in Montreal and make lots of noise. As it happens against the Caps, when they were losing 3-1 in the series and had a bounce back to win 4-3, this disadvantage of 2-1 is nothing for them.

The Pittsburgh Penguins suffered a little bit in the last game. After a loss at home in game 2, the team didn´t had the right approach for the game. However, they were able to win, with 2 goals scores in Read More

Boston Bruins @ Philadelphia Flyers – NHL 

Tonight, we will have another game between two teams that are home-based in this playoffs. That factor is among the biggest factors to decide todays winner. The Flyers have the edge in the offense, defense and PP. This is at home, because they can get a boost with their supporters while the Bruins will pass some hard times and will likely not be so moralized as they have been at home.

The Flyers are aware of their disadvantage right now, when they are losing 2-0. However, they still have their chances, as long as they can host and beat the Bruins. At home, they are enjoying a big support, as we saw in the previous series against the Devils, where they were able to win both home games they had. Since April 2, where they lost 1-0 against Read More

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Mon Canadiens – NHL 

At this point, there is some doubts about the favoritism that the Penguins have. They already lost their home advantage, losing the second game at home against the Canadiens. The series are to dangerous close to what happen before between the Canadiens and the Capitals. The Penguins tried to score, with shots over shots, but only scored one goal, in a PP situation. The Canadiens are a completely different team in this playoffs, with a monster defense. So far, the Canadiens goalkeeper, Jaroslav Halak is probably the MVP of this playoffs.

The Penguins are in a hard situation, as the Canadiens still able to make great defense performances. They have to break that wall to get their wins. Their offensive line is great, and they can´t be stopped Read More

SJ Sharks @ Detroit RW – NHL 

At this point, it seems hard to see the Red Wings in the conference final. They are losing 2-0 this series, and even thinking that they will have 2 home games now to try to tie the series, it will not be easy. Against the Coyotes, the Red Wings lost 2 home in games in 3. In the other side, the Sharks won 2 in 3 road games against the Avs.

The Sharks are aware of their good position to ensure their presence in the conference final. Without give away any of their first home games, their goals now is try to grab one road game. They know that this game can be a early key to the solve this series. In Detroit, they will have a very strong mental game, as the Red Wings can´t commit any mistakes. The Sharks will have to be really solid in their defense, as if they can Read More

Mon Canadiens @ Pittsburgh Penguins – NHL 

The Penguins are aware of what they will host today. At this point, and probably until the end of the playoffs, the Canadiens have made the biggest surprise with the elimination of the Washington Capitals. The Penguins will have to be smart enough to avoid big problems. They have the home advantage, and have to use it to be always in the lead, trying to get a win in Montreal and end this series early.

The Canadiens already know that they can be very cohesive in their defense, with their goaltender Halak in a great shape. They only have to hold, secure the game, and use meanwhile the open spaces Read More

Detroit RW @ SJ Sharks – NHL 

This will be the first conference semi-final game. The winner of this series will play the western conference finals, the last step before the Stanley Cup final. In the first view, the Sharks seems more likely to advance. They showed a better game during the regular season, being one of the biggest contenders to the Stanley Cup, specially after some prematures “knock outs”. They have the home advantage, when facing a team that didn´t convince during the regular season.

The Red Wings needed a game 7 to be here tonight. For a team with many old players, it´s a little bit hard to play playoffs games with only one day off between them. It´s true that they were able to pass Read More

Was Capitals @ Montreal Canadiens – NHL 

The Canadiens are in a bad position. They will have to play this game at home and the next game at Washington and win both games if they wish to pass this first round of the NHL playoffs. And the worst is that the Canadiens weren´t able to win a game at home in this series. The differences between the two teams are evident.

The Canadiens weren´t able to stop the Capitals offense, the numbers of shots made by the Capitals are more or less the same they made at home. That´s one of the biggest problems that the Canadiens Read More

Ottawa Senators @ Pitts Penguins – NHL 

As I said in the previous games, It wasn´t a good to Ottawa Senators their first win. This series started with a win in Pittsburgh for the Senators. But it was a mistake, as they weren´t able to hold the angry champions. They should instead tried to hold their home games and make a good final run. Alerting the Penguins that they weren´t making the right approach to the game, make them decrease their chance to be successful in the qualification.

The Senators couldn´t keep their pace and game after the Olympic break. They were playing a great game before the break, making great streaks, being strong in their offense and defense. However, they Read More

Philadelphia Flyers @ NJ Devils – NHL 

This game can end with this series. At this moment, the Flyers only need one more win to advance to the next stage. Even if they lost today, they will play the next game at home. The Devils are disappointing their fans, as the team had big hopes this season. They have one of the best squads in the league, specially after they acquired Kovalchuk. But the truth is that they didn´t deserve to win most of the games in this series. In 2 games in Philadelphia, they were outscored in shots, and only score 3 goals, all of them in PP situations.

Today, the Devils will have to give all they can. Like game 2, where they were chasing a win to try to tie the series, the game were faster. At this point, this will be a nerves game, and has we saw in the Read More

Vancouver Canucks @ LA Kings – NHL 

Today, the Kings will host the Canucks, appointed by some people like one of the strongest contenders to hold Stanley Cup. But the truth is that the Kings already stole the home advantage to Canucks, and could today hold that advantage. If they win today, they will only need one more game to advance, and even if they lose in Vancouver, they can pass at home.

The Canucks made their ride to the playoffs mostly before the Olympic break. Until that break, the team were able to make fantastic streaks and were playing a really strong game. However, since the Read More

Buffalo Sabres @ Boston Bruins – NHL 

Game after game, the Sabres are losing their believes. They started with a win, thinking that they could pass against a big team like the Red Wings. But after that first win, the team weren´t able to hold Bruins offense. Their defense at this point isn´t their worst fact, their offense is starting to struggle. With Vanek probably out again, the team are showing some difficulties.

They are shooting almost the same than the Bruins, but can be effective like them. Everyone still thinking that the Sabres still got their chances, and can win tonight to recover their home advantage. But a Read More

Wash Capitals @ Montreal Canadiens – NHL 

Surprisingly, the Canadiens are fighting for this series better than expected. They were able to take both games to OT, and won one of them. The Capitals were surprised, as they weren´t expecting so much difficulties. Now, they have to go behind the prejudice, as they will play 2 games in Montreal with the series 1-1. This mean that they need at least to win one game in Montreal to try to pass.

For this game, the Capitals are the favorites, due to the need they have to win one game in Montreal. Everyone still thinking they they are much more powerful than the Canadiens, and the fact that they Read More