NHL Series Betting Prices by Sportsbook

4/29/2013 8:45:06 PM –

New York Islanders vs Pittsburgh Penguins

The New York Islanders were an excellent road team all season, finishing 14-6-4. However, they lost four of five to the Pens in the regular season while being outscored 16-5 in the four losses. The Islanders have an opening as Sidney Crosby has yet to be cleared, though he’s close. They’ll also have to take advantage of the Pens 25th-ranked penalty killing unit. At the end of the day, the Islanders lack the depth and experience to get the job done. They might be feisty but it’s hard to see them winning more than two games max.

Series winner	5Dimes	Heritage	Bookmaker	BetOnline	Pinnacle	Bovada
NY Islanders Pittsburgh Rangers	+340 -380	+330 -410	+320 -380	+350 -425	+328 -378	+320 -440

New York Rangers vs Washington Capitals

Everyone knows that the Capitals are hot but few people notice that the Rangers won 10 of 14 games in April. They also won two of three from the Capitals this season with the only loss being a 3-2 shootout shortcoming. The Capitals finished the year 15-2-2 but were fortunate in meeting many sub-.500 teams during their hot streak. The Rangers edged them last year and will look to do so once again.

Series winner	5Dimes	Heritage	Bookmaker	BetOnline	Pinnacle	Bovada
NY Rangers Washington Capitals	-107 -103	-105 -115	-115 -105	-110 -110	-108 -102	-110 -110

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins are slumping heading into the playoffs as they lost seven of nine to end the year and blew their opportunity to have the No. 2 seed in the East. However, this could turn out to be a good thing. The Leafs lost four of six to end the year and haven’t been in the playoffs in a long time. While many people will believe the Leafs are capable of the upset here, the Bruins have a huge edge in experience and that should be the difference. Also, the Bruins have a huge edge in net where Tuukka Rask performed like a Vezina Trophy candidate – even as the team slumped – whereas the Maple Leafs are giving James Reimer his first taste of playoff action. 

Series winner	5Dimes	Heritage	Bookmaker	BetOnline	Pinnacle	Bovada
Toronto Maple Leafs Boston Bruins	+185 -200	+185 -220	+190 -220	+190 -220	+186 -207	+190 -230

Ottawa Senators vs Montreal Canadiens

Like Boston,

Montreal slumped down the stretch of the season but somehow lucked into a

No. 2 seeding. This actually helps them. Previously, they would have

had to play Toronto, who had their number at the end of the year but

instead, they get Ottawa. Ottawa scrapped their way into the playoffs

but they don’t have home-ice advantage. For most of the year, they were

one of the best home teams in the league but they lost their last three

at home. Goaltender Carey Price has a 1.58 GAA against Ottawa this

season and 1.61 from 2010-2012, so the Habs are deservedly favored on

the odds.

Series winner	5Dimes	Heritage	Bookmaker	BetOnline	Pinnacle	Bovada
Ottawa Senators Montreal Canadiens	+140 -150	+135 -155	+135 -155	+135 -155	+136 -150	+135 -155

Minnesota Wild vs Chicago Blackhawks

Of all of the first round matchups, this contest should play out pretty much as the odds indicate: a Blackhawks blowout. The Blackhawks are the best team in the league and finished the year 9-2-1. Meanwhile, the Wild were lucky to make the playoffs but finished the year 5-8-1. While the No. 8 seed surprised the No. 1 seed last year, don’t expect that to happen here. The Blackhawks will make quick work of the Wild.

Series winner	5Dimes	Heritage	Bookmaker	BetOnline	Pinnacle	Bovada
Minnesota Wild Chicago Blackhawks	+318 -350	+315 -385	+305 -365	+320 -380	+313 -359	+310 -420

Detroit Red Wings vs Anaheim Ducks

The Red Wings look like a solid underdog play at Pinnacle in this spot. They come into the playoffs on a four-game winning streak and they’ll have a legitimate shot to upend a Ducks team that has been anything but impressive recently. The Ducks started the year 22-3-4 but are since just 8-9-2. The Red Wings have a hot goaltender in Jimmy Howard while the Ducks have two options, which really means they don’t have one elite one. The Red Wings won two of three meetings between the teams and could pull a big surprise here in the first round.

Series winner	5Dimes	Heritage	Bookmaker	BetOnline	Pinnacle	Bovada
Detroit Red Wings Anaheim Ducks	+125 -135	+120 -140	+120 -140	+120 -140	+121 -134	+120 -140

San Jose Sharks vs Vancouver Canucks

This is an ugly series to handicap as both teams were extremely streaky throughout the year. The Sharks had two separate seven-game winning streaks this season but also had a stretch where they lost 16 of 21. The Canucks had two separate six-game winnings streaks but also had a stretch where they lost nine of 12. They also ended the year by losing five of eight. The Sharks have an elite goaltender in Antti Niemi while the Canucks have two goalies that haven’t been able to step up. 

Series winner	5Dimes	Heritage	Bookmaker	BetOnline	Pinnacle	Bovada
San Jose Sharks Vancouver Canucks	+112 -122	+115 -135	+110 -130	+110 -130	+112 -124	+110 -130

Los Angeles Kings vs St. Louis Blues

The Los Angeles Kings are still the Stanley Cup champs but they haven’t had that same magic they carried last season. When you look at the month of April, no team has played better than the Blues. They won 12 of 15 and goaltender Brian Elliott might be the hottest in the NHL right now (1.30 GAA, .947 save percentage in April). They are peaking at the right time, so a bet on St. Louis may be in order.

Series winner	5Dimes	Heritage	Bookmaker	BetOnline	Pinnacle	Bovada
Los Angeles Kings St. Louis Blues	-110 +100	-115 -105	-120 +100	-110 -110	-123 +111	OTB

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NHL Series Betting Prices by Sportsbook