It’s time for the second season in the NHL as the 82-game schedule has passed and now the field has been narrowed to the Sweet 16.Do the Detroit Red Wings have the goaltending to repeat as Champions? Are the San Jose Sharks mentally strong enough to get past their recent playoff failures? Does the Carolina Hurricanes’ hot finish mean they’re a good bet to factor in the Stanley Cup odds?
There are plenty of questions as we head to the playoffs and the answers will come over the next two months. Here is a preview of all 16 first-round series:
Western Conference Series NHL betting:
No. 1 San Jose Sharks vs No. 8 Anaheim Ducks
The San Jose Sharks won the Presidents’ Trophy after finishing 53 wins and 117 points – both franchise records. The Anaheim Ducks might look dangerous given their pedigree and their past, but this team doesn’t have the magic. The Ducks don’t have the scoring or defensive depth to match. Look for the Sharks to get by in a gritty series.
No. 2 Detroit Red Wings vs No. 7 Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and they couldn’t have drawn a more experienced, veteran franchise if they tried. The Wings won the season series (3-2-1) and shouldn’t have much problem moving past the Blue Jackets in the first round.
No. 3 Vancouver Canucks vs No. 6 St. Louis Blues
The Vancouver Canucks caught a break when the St. Louis Blues finished in sixth courtesy of some last-minute Western Conference jockeying for position. The Blues will have trouble with the Canucks stingy defense, which will be the difference in the series.
No. 4 Chicago Blackhawks vs No. 5 Calgary Flames
In what should be one of the more intriguing first-round matchups, the Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks are both happy with their draw. The Flames, who struggle mightily on the road, might be able to use their experience to get past the young, inexperienced Blackhawks. On the other hand, the Blackhawks, whose young roster doesn’t have a ton of playoff work under their belt, gets to face a middle-of-the-road team that can’t seem to win on the road. Look for experience to be the difference in this series as the Flames advance.
Eastern Conference Series NHL betting:
No. 1 Boston Bruins vs No. 8 Montreal Canadiens
It’s time for a little role reversal as both teams head in to the playoffs in completely opposite shape from last season. The Bruins, then the No. 8 seed, gave the top-seeded Canadiens all they could handle in seven games. The Bruins haven’t won a series since 1999 but that will change after the first round.
No. 2 Washington Capitals vs No. 7 New York Rangers
The Washington Capitals offense should outweigh the New York Rangers stingy defense in this battle but the main question will be Caps goalie Jose Theodore. He has been solid since the Caps signed him but also inconsistent at times. If he’s shaky in the playoffs, the Caps won’t go far.
No. 3 New Jersey Devils vs No. 6 Carolina Hurricanes
The New Jersey Devils finished up this season just like 2007, which means many people aren’t certain how they’ll do in the first round of the playoffs. The Devils, who had a stretch from December 27th to March 17th where they were 26-9, finished the season with just four wins in their last 11 games. The Canes were 3-0 against the Devils this season with Cam Ward between the pipes, which could be a telling sign for this series.
No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are out for revenge after the Pittsburgh Penguins eliminated them from the playoffs last season in humiliating fashion but they might have to another year to get it. The Flyers finished the season 3-4-1 while the Penguins finished 13-4-1 down the stretch. The Penguins, led by their trio of deadly centers, should outlast the Flyers.
Stanley Cup odds pick: San Jose Sharks
