Articles by Cappers Picks related to online NHL hockey betting, and handicapping live NHL matchups.
The St. Louis Blues – the best home team in the NHL during the regular season head out on the road Thursday after losing the first two games of their semi-finals series on home ice. The daunting task ahead – trying to slow an uber-confident Kings squad in front of what is sure to be an amped up Staples Center crowd in Game 3.
The Washington Capitals and New York Rangers hope to put on a better show in Game 2 of their Easter Conference semi-final. Game 1 produces a total of 32 shots on goal in what was one of the most defensive games witnessed so far in the playoffs.
The top two defensive teams in the NHL do battle once again in Game 2 of their Western Conference semi-final on Monday night. The difference maker in Game 1 – no other than Jonathan Quick.
The New Jersey Devils and the Florida Panthers square off in Game 7 of what has been a most intriguing series on Thursday night, with both looking to end long playoff droughts. How close has this series been?
The New York Rangers were anticipating a tough first round series versus the Ottawa Senators but there is no way that they could have envisioned having to win Games 6 and 7 just to move on. That is the case as the top Eastern seed hosts the pesky #8 seed in the deciding Game 7 on Thursday night.
#1 Seed in the East Rangers Hopes to Avoid Upset at the Hands of #8 Ottawa
Ottawa Senators at NY Rangers
When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, April 26, 2012
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Broadcast: CBC,RDS,NBCSN,CSN-DC,NESN (HD)
Series tied 3-3
Sens vs. Rangers Betting Lines from betonline.com
Spread: Rangers -1 ½ (+175)
Moneyline: Senators +150: Rangers -165
Over/Under: 5 goals
The Ottawa Senators, it could be argued, deserve a better fate than the one that faces them – Game 7 on the road in one of the most iconic buildings in the world. But an average effort in Game 6 is the reason that they are here. Jason Spezza was benched, team Captain Daniel Alfredsson snapped and even the coach was critical of their effort.
Chances are that Ottawa will be better on Thursday night. They have brought the intensity all series long – there is no reason to think that they won’t rekindle the hate and the emotion for Game 7.
Offense hasn’t exactly been Ottawa’s strong suit in the series so far but key players are conspicuously absent at the moment. Eric Karlsson is inexplicably pointless in his last four games and Milan Michalek hasn’t been nearly the player that he was during the regular season. But it is up to the veteran on the team to get it going. Daniel Alfredsson showed plenty of emotion in Game 6 but they will need his to show up on the score sheet. Jason Spezza has three points in two games but has been prone to lapses that could cost his team in game 7.
Make no mistake about it – Craig Anderson has been the story of the series so far! He has been sensational and owns a 1.70 goals against average in the series and a save percentage hovering around .950 – amazing!
The New York Rangers are in a tough spot. Why? One could point to the poor play of Marion Gaborik in the series so far – no goals since Game 1! Although there is not a whole lot to love about the Rangers offensively they can take solace in the fact that the previously pointless Derek Stepan woke up and registered one goal and two assists in Game 6 and Brad Richards chipped in with a goal and two assists. However with the good, there is some bad. [ad-4437448]
The Rangers haven’t scored an even strength goal in over three games and in a Game 7 that will likely be short on power play chances (hopefully the referees let them play), New York will need some better five-on-five play.
No worries about Henrik Lundqvist – he has been stellar as per usual. However an interesting stat – Lundqvist is 2-5 in elimination games and has never won back-to-back elimination contests.
Betting Prediction: Ottawa is 23-7 in the last 30 meetings in New York and the road team is 21-7 in the last 28 meetings.
The road team has won four of the last six Game 7s in the playoffs. The Rangers have won the last three Game 7s at MSG but are just 3-5 all-time in deciding games while the Senators are -0-4 in Game 7s.
The New York Rangers will likely be forced to play without Brian Boyle once again on Thursday and that could be a factor. Ottawa has been the better team in the series and deserve to go through – don’t you think? Karma catches up to the Rangers and the Senators send the remaining #1 seed home Thursday.
Pick: The Underdog Senators +150
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On Monday night, the Ottawa Senators will try to do what most was thought to have been impossible – eliminate the top seeded New York Rangers from the Stanley Cup playoffs. In a series dominated by goaltending, no one could have expected that it would be the Senators goaltender that would have been the one stealing games.
The Chicago Blackhawks do not know the word quit! For the fourth time in the series they were able to tie game in the third period to force overtime Saturday night. Now after five extra time games in five games played, the weary Blackhawks will try to stave off elimination once again on Monday night against the pesky Phoenix Coyotes.
What had been one of the least nasty series’ in this year’s playoffs has suddenly turned a little testy after Raffi Torres introduced himself to Marion Hossa in what of the hits of the playoffs so far.
The Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals renew hostilities in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference quarter-final on Thursday night with the Bruins looking to take a stranglehold on the series.
Old time hockey was on display in Game 2 of the series between the New York Rangers and the Ottawa Senators and there is no reason to believe that the bad blood between the teams will calm down anytime soon.
The Eastern Conference Quarter-Final series between the Boston Bruins and the Washington Capitals heads to DC on Monday night all even.
What many thought could be a matchup of Eastern Conference Finalists begins as a Round 1 series on Thursday night when the #2 seeded Boston Bruins host the #7 seeded Washington Capitals. Both teams had their own issues during the regular season but all those could be washed away as the new season begins.
The surprise team of the Eastern Conference will try to take down the East Champs in a matchup of the #8 seed Ottawa Senators, losers of three straight heading into the playoffs and the #1 seed New York Rangers who lost their last two games of the regular season.
The NHL season is about to enter the stretch run. Some teams are positioning themselves well heading into the most important part of the year while others are sputtering at precisely the wrong time. Get weekly NHL Handicapping tips from CappersPicks.com.
The NHL season is about to enter the stretch run. Some teams are positioning themselves well heading into the most important part of the year while others are sputtering at precisely the wrong time. Get weekly NHL Handicapping tips from CappersPicks.com.
Are you ready for the stretch drive? It seems that some teams have already gone into playoff mode already. The Power Rankings reflect that notion.
There are some teams struggling to maintain their elite status this week and there are some climbing – looking for a little credibility.
Enjoy this week’s Dave B’s NHL Power Rankings – March 13, 2012– the number in brackets are where the team ranked two weeks earlier.
1. Blues 45- 18-7 (4) – The Blues have won five straight games and are 9-1-0 in their last 10 games and have given up just 14 goals over that span. Amazing. They have a four point lead in the overall standings are showing no signs of slowing down. Helping is their incredible 29-4-4 record at home.
2. Penguins 42-21-5 (3) – Pittsburgh is another team that is 9-0-1 in their last 10 games and have first in the East in their sights. Crosby could return this week and Chris Letang not far behind – yup, the Penguins are scary.
3. Rangers 43-18-7 (2) – still playing well – 5-3-2 in their last 10 games but their Eastern Conference lead seems a little more tenuous at the moment.
4. Canucks 42-19-8 (1) – The Canucks have gone 2-3-2 in their last seven games and have lost three of their last four games at home. The twins are a mess – they will get back on track at some point so they should be good to hold in to a top 5 position in the rankings.
5. Predators 40-21-7 (6) – Nashville just keeps getting it done – 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. They are tough to play against and are as balanced a team as there is in the NHL – 10 players with at least 10 goals. That’s three complete lines that can score.
6. Red Wings 44-22-3 (5) – The Wings slip out of the Top 5 on the heels of a 4-5-1 stretch. Pavel Datsuyk, Nik Lidstrom and Jimmy Howard have all been out of the lineup which doesn’t help. All are expected back soon.
7. Bruins 40-25-3 (7) – Boston are slipping fast – injuries and inconsistent play have them 4-5-1 in their last 10 games. They sure don’t look like the Bruins we have all come to expect.
8. Devils 40-24-5 (9) – Don’t look now but the Devils have won five straight games and are four points out of eighth in the East. Their offensive weapons have been just that and the defense has allowed just five goals in the last six games.
9. Senators 36-25-9 (12) – Continue to be one of the surprise teams in the NHL – 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. In their next four they play Montreal three times and the freefalling Leafs once. Ottawa should have a good week and could continue to climb the Rankings.
10. Stars 38-26-5 (13) – Dallas is another surprise team – on fire with a 9-0-1 record in their last 10 games. They have opened up a six point lead in the Pacific.
11. Flyers 39-22-7 (14) – Look out the Flyers are coming. They are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games and Ilya Bryzgalov has three shutouts in his last four games. He has a 1.75 goals against average since the All-Star break – finally!
12. Blackhawks 37-25-8 (15) – Chicago is 4-1-1 in their last 10 games and are finally getting some decent goaltending. Jonathan Toews could be back soon making them a way better team.
13. Coyotes 34-25-10 (8) – Phoenix lost five straight before beating San Jose. The Coyotes are quickly fading.
14. Sharks 33-25-9 (17) – The Sharks are still a good team aren’t they? I am beginning to wonder. They are 2-6-2 in their last 10 games. If they do nothing this week – they are out of the Top 20.
15. Panthers 32-23-13 (10) – The Panthers have hung around and are worthy of the top 15. They are 5-3-2 in their last 10 games and are on top of the Southeast – barely! [ad-4437448]
16. Flames 32-25-12 (21) – 4-3-3 in their last 10 games and hanging around somehow. With teams around them struggling the Flames end up in the #16 position.
17. Avalanche 36-30-4 (11) – Colorado is also hanging around but the loss of Matt Duchene might be too much. They are still 7-3-0 in their last 10 games and deserve a Top 20 rank.
18. Kings 32-25-12 (16) – The Kings are far better than their average record – 5-4-1 in their last 10 games. They are struggling – no excuses!
19. Sabres 32-29-8 (24) – is 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and they have climbed into a playoff position. Four points back and Ryan Miller finally living up to expectation.
20. Capitals 35-28-6 (20) – suddenly one point back in the Southeast having gone 6-3-1 record in their last 10 games. Washington is the most dangerous #20 ranked team in memory.
21. Jets 32-29-8 (19)
22. Ducks 29-30-10 (18)
23. Lightning 31-30-7 (22)
24. Canadiens 27-32-10 (27)
25. Hurricanes 26-28-15 (29)
26. Islanders 28-31-10 (28)
27. Maple Leafs 30-31-8 (23)
28. Oilers 26-35-7(25)
29. Wild 29-30-10 (26)
30. Blue Jackets 22-40-7 (30)
Dave B will analyze all the risers and the fallers for the rest of the season in his bi-weekly NHL Power Rankings.
The NHL season is about to enter the stretch run. Some teams are positioning themselves well heading into the most important part of the year while others are sputtering at precisely the wrong time. Get weekly NHL Handicapping tips from CappersPicks.com.
