It’s a great time for sports betting online, isn’t it? The final first-round playoff NBA odds couldn’t be more exciting. Speaking of exciting, NHL playoff picks can’t get much better than the Crosby vs Ovechkin show, can they? Let’s break down all the playoff sports betting action for Saturday.NHL betting: Penguins vs Capitals odds, 1:00 p.m. ET
NHL lines: Penguins +120, Capitals -140
If you bet on hockey, this is the matchup you’ve been waiting for ever since Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin were drafted. The sport’s most dynamic offensive superstars clash and there’s plenty of personal rivalry brewing here. The Capitals odds make them the home favorites and they should have nice momentum after winning the last three games of their first-round series against the Rangers, but the Penguins odds are solid here. They’re the more experienced team whereas most guys on the current Caps’ roster haven’t been past round one before. Marc-Andre Fleury should give Pittsburgh the goaltending edge in Game 1, not to mention the whole series, and rookie Simeon Varlamov may be a bit jittery in front of his home crowd, so the Pens could surprise.
Betting online pick: Penguins +120
NBA betting: Bulls vs Celtics odds, 8:00 p.m. ET
NBA lines: Celtics -6.5
It’s a shame the greatest first-round basketball matchup in NBA odds history has to end, but that’s what Game 7s are for. Amazingly, four games have reached overtime in this series – twice more than any other series in NBA history. The Bulls vs Celtics odds are also just the second series to have five games decided by three or fewer points, so the Celtics’ 6.5-point spread should be avoided. The Bulls should beat it, but they won’t win the game. Yes, their scoring balance has been fantastic, but they’ve never won a Game 7 on the road before. Rajon Rondo is playing out of his mind for the Celtics and he’ll lead them to victory at home.
Betting online pick: Bulls to beat the spread, Celtics to win outright
NHL betting: Blackhawks vs Canucks odds, 9:00 p.m. ET
NHL lines: Blackhawks +120, Canucks -140
Canucks odds supporters should obviously be happy seeing their team 5-0 in NHL playoff betting so far, but you have to wonder if Vancouver is at risk of becoming complacent. They thought they could cruise after going up 3-0 over the young, frustrated Hawks in Game 1, but Chicago fought back and tied the game before losing on a last-minute goal by Sami Salo. The Blackhawks are just as good as the Canucks and they want the world to know it, so they should be extra hungry in Game 2 and catch the home team off guard.
Betting online pick: Blackhawks +120
