As we lick our chops for the Masters odds, The NHL betting playoffs are just days away and, in this season of great parity, there’s still plenty to decide in both the Eastern and Western Conference playoff pictures. Let’s break down a few of Thursday night’s most important online betting matchups.Canadiens vs Bruins odds
The Canadiens will be sportsbook underdogs travelling to Beantown, but many online betting fans will tell you this is the perfect time to pick the Habs. I’m not convinced. Yes, they have much more to play for on Thursday night, but they have plenty going against them. First, they’re banged up, having lost defenseman Andrei Markov and Mathieu Schneider to injury. Second, they’re wilting under the pressure. Monday and Tuesday’s games against Ottawa and New York were “must-wins,” but they wilted under the pressure. Why would they magically bounce back against the best team in the East?
The Bruins also have more motivation than some NHL betting fans think. They’d relish a chance to put their greatest rivals on the ropes and knocking them out of the top eight would actually benefit the Bruins a lot, as the Habs own them in the postseason and could shock the Bruins again if they squeak in.
Sports Betting blog pick: Bruins
Flyers vs Rangers odds
Philly already has a playoff berth locked up and, while they still want to gain home-ice advantage, they’re in tough travelling to Madison Square Garden in the Flyers vs Rangers line. The Broadway Blueshirts are riding a wave of momentum after beating the Habs Tuesday and should be fired up at home.
Though Martin Biron played well in his last start, goaltending remains a big question mark for the Flyers, so look for the Rangers to fire plenty of shots and win by more than one goal on Thursday.
Sports betting blog pick: Rangers
Predators vs Red Wings odds
If you’re looking to win big at the sportsbook on a dog Thursday night, this may be your game. The Preds have sagged a bit and trailed the Blues by two points for eighth in the West through Tuesday night. However, they’ve really held their own against the mighty Wings this season – they won the last two meetings, including one in Detroit – and they certainly have plenty to play for.
Now six points behind San Jose for first in the West, Detroit has nowhere to go in the standings, Winning on Thursday does nothing for them. It’s do or die for Nashville, so they make for a solid sportsbook upset pick.
Sports Betting blog pick: Predators
