Holy sweet baby Jesus, three NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs series head to game six for do-or-die games after a hard fought series wrapped up last night in unbelievable fashion. Let’s recap that action before we get to the plays tonight.
The night started with an absolute banger in a game that seemed anything but going into the third period. The Corsi Canes had the Blueshirts on the ropes, feeding em’ so many rights they were asking for a left. And then …. the tides change. The Rangers started to look more dialled, the Canes began to wilter, and the one and only Kreider took advantage. You tell me if there is a greater one period performance in NHL Playoff history given the circumstances and the stakes – I don’t think there is one. To come up that big, in that moment, takes a ginormous set of iron-clad balls. Good thing Kreider let his nuts hang, because he’s primarily to thank for the Conference Final berth. He won’t have to pay for another drink in NY for the rest of his life (as if he bought his own drinks anyway, look at this man rocket):
Who couldn’t be excited for a projected Conference Finals matchup between NYR and Florida? That would be some high-flying, high-skill hockey on both sides with the addition of amazing goaltending. If you’re not horned up by that prospect, you aren’t a hockey fan.
But then, we went back to Van City for game five. Man oh man, the Canucks are killing me. I don’t know how they do it – they’re shutting down the best players in the world to an extent I haven’t seen in quite some time. McDavid and Drai can’t get more than four SOG combined – what is this madness?! All credit has to go to the Nasty Nucks here, I had them losing in six games. Now, I’m almost sure it’s going seven games, but the Canucks have a serious chance to win this damn thing. Good for them, and good for Tocchet, who got royally fucked in Arizona and is now proving to be a damn good coach.
And Zadorov, can you quit being such a goddamn beauty? For a guy that has cheered against Vancouver for the majority of this series, it’s really hard when you’re such a likeable Russian freak. Rock on Drago.
But on to the action tonight.
Again, full disclosure, I am betting Boston Moneyline, and this is a pure hedge on my Series Futures bet for Florida. I do not necessarily advise this pick, as I’m feeling a Florida win. Ride the Player Props in that game if you want some action!
*Units for me will be $100. Bet responsibly.
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Game: Florida Panthers vs Boston Bruins, 5:00 p.m. CST
(Hedge) Pick: Boston Bruins Moneyline (+130) 0.75u
Pick: Sam Reinhart 4+ SOG (+120) 0.25u – 5/6 hit rate in his last six games, we rode this guy last game and he cashed in the first period. Always firing and looking for the close out, we ride again.
Pick: Matthew Tkachuk 4+ SOG (-120) 0.25u – We’re going back to Tkachuk after he only had 3 SOG last game. Before that, he went for 7, 5, 0 (weird outlier), 5, and 6 SOG. The 5 and 6 SOG totals were in closeout TBL games. He loves to close em’ out.
Well, I made the case for Boston winning the last game, and what I proposed was exactly how they won. It was as simple as this: goaltending and desperation hockey. And they have the tools for it – grinders all over the ice and the Swaymanator. Last game was putting it into practice – along with a little puck luck that didn’t go the Panthers way. Now how do they win tonight? Well, a lot of the same, and they could get some extra jump in their steps with El Capitain Marchando possibly coming back into the lineup. Can you imagine how he’s going to act if he gets back out there against Florida?! There will likely be more than just some face-licking involved.
But in reality, the biggest change from the rest of the series compared to game five was the shot volume for Boston. They finally decided to rip pucks on net, and were rewarded in kind. Florida could start out slow again this game, with it being in Boston – and that gives the B’s a chance to get a lead early. Their team composition is a lot more suited to protecting a lead than chasing it. I could see another upset – and who knows, maybe we see a reverse suckbomb by Marchy tonight on that rat Bennett.
Game: Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche, 5:00 p.m. CST
Pick: Dallas Stars Moneyline (+100) 0.75u
We’re keepin it simple in Denver tonight with a straight Stars dub on the card. While I missed with my shot on them last game, I feel like the end of this series is inevitable. I was very impressed with how the Avs responded in game five, specifically Makar and his out-of-this-world play throughout the game. I mean seriously, have you ever seen a defenceman look that dominant offensively? Guy was EK65 in his prime out there – maybe even better. What a scary prospect, especially for a dude who is still in his early-to-mid 20’s. Guy probably absolutely pulls in Colorado; how could he not playing puck the way he does.
But funny as it is, I still felt that Dallas was going to win that game – and it’s going to be real hard for the Avs to match that desperation level they had with their top dawgs playing significant minutes that game. The powerplay was much better in game five (going for two goals, where they had been shutout in the previous three games on the PP), and I don’t know if I can rely on it staying that way with the Stars PK looking like it has. Hintz was also out in game five, and there is a real possibility he’s playing tonight, listed as day-to-day. I feel like the man with the long Roope will play tonight, and while everyone lauds the difficulty of closing a team out in the Playoffs, we saw what happened with Carolina last night. Sometimes desperation ain’t enough, even when you’re a very good team. Stars have the style to close it out tonight, and I’d be looking to Oettinger in a bounce-back as the reason why – guarding the cage like the traffic cop guarding the entrance to Valhalla this morning (poor Scottie).
But that’s it people. I will be posting another betting article soon with NHL Playoff game bets. If you want to make sure you don’t miss these articles, follow me on X at @plusmoneypost as I will be sharing them there.
Summary of Picks
Game: Florida Panthers vs Boston Bruins, 5:00 p.m. CST
(Hedge) Pick: Boston Bruins Moneyline (+130) 0.75u
Pick: Sam Reinhart 4+ SOG (+120) 0.25u
Pick: Matthew Tkachuk 4+ SOG (-120) 0.25u
Game: Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche, 5:00 p.m. CST
Pick: Dallas Stars Moneyline (+100) 0.75u