Round Two of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs chugs along and the two-game dockets continue tonight with absolute bangers (not glass bangers, poor Stars fans). But first, some absolute doozies last night in the Sunshine State and the capital of Riot Island (Van City baby).
This is what I was waiting for Florida. That first game was an apparition; the B’s had to channel the energy of past (and actually good) Bruins teams to get even one game against the Rats. The boys were flying out there from the jump, going for the jugular after tucking their tails between their legs with the homerbarn loss in game one. Bob is still, in fact, the man. And lordy, Pasta – that wasn’t your spot pal. I’m sure the intentions were good, and sometimes you have to answer the bell, but getting bundled in a runaway game with the possibility of a nasty hand injury looming just can’t be looked at as a good decision. That being said, I love it, and the buy-in is unreal. Stick taps for Pasta.
That might allow for Boston to win one more game in this series (on the back of some Swayman dark magic), but that’s about it. I would set the penalty minutes over/under in this series at about 1000 minutes between the teams; God, I love the Playoffs.
Then, what the fuck happened in British Columbia? Oiltown just doesn’t give up a three-goal lead. The offence is way too deadly; they just pile on with their scoring like defensive lineman piling on a center during a tush push. Heavy, heavy pressure. But those pesky, loser Canucks hit Edmonton with the RKO out of nowhere and made the comeback of the Playoffs (so far at least).
For a team that legitimately watched paint dry for the whole first round, the Canucks really showed something with that late flurry. Maybe I misjudged this team – is Nashville really just as good as Edmonton? Stop that nonsense Plus Money, Edmonton will dummy the Canucks. They’re going to be a hammer spot tomorrow after that collapse.
But without further ado, we get to tonight. After taking a few days off, these plays are feeling right, and we’re keeping it simple with two basic picks. The analysis is good and the entertainment is here; it’s time to get back to club dub.
*Units for me will be $100. Bet responsibly.
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Game: New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes, 5:00 p.m. CST
Pick: Carolina Hurricanes Moneyline (-165) 1.65u
This would likely be a two-unit play had Carolina not switched tendies (Andersen to Kochetkov), but I still can’t deny my love for this spot tonight. And who knows; we’ve seen goalies with weird last names come out of nowhere to take over in the Playoffs with teams considered Wagons (which the Canes most definitely are). Take Niemi on that 2010’s Blackhawks team that won the Cup. It happens. And the Canes …. well, they are certified, Class A weapons on home ice. Lock in this bounce back spot.
Despite the fact that NYR is up 2-0 in this series, the games have been anything but lopsided. Back-and-forth hockey has taken on new meaning, and I’m really liking the way Carolina has played in two tough road games. They’ve weathered storms when they’ve needed to, and they have finally stoked the offensive fires with six goals on Shesty over two games. This was always the issue with Carolina; rank defence, shit offence. Seemingly, the narrative has shifted in the opposite direction on both fronts. The thing is, if anything increases with the advantage of having home ice, it’s the energy. And I’ll tell you where that energy primarily shows up: the forecheck and on defence.
These are two aspects of the game that Carolina needs to dominate to pull this one out; and they’re plenty capable. The man-on-man style Rob the Bod so famously employs in the defensive zone works a lot better when the boys are buzzing, and the Rangers potent defensive core will lose its offensive spark (something the Blueshirts rely on) when they’re busy getting wallpapered on every dump-in. A 4-3 tighty in game one, and a 4-3 OT loss in game two. If you take a look back to the NYI series with the Canes, Carolina won all three games at home, and split the two on the road. All the signs are there tonight for a dub on home ice; now it’s up to Kochetkov not to shit in our apple pie.
Game: Colorado Avalanche vs Dallas Stars, 7:30 p.m. CST
Pick: Over 6.5 Goals (+100) 1u
It’s just this simple: if the Stars want to win, they need to score in bunches. Because no matter who the Avs are playing, they fill the cage so much that opposing goalies end up with a neck tattoo of the goal light.
And the Stars can do it, despite the fact that they are heralded more as a strong defensive team than a dynamo on the offensive end. Regardless, you got Roberston the snipeshow, Johnson the do-it-all, Benn the power forward, and Pavelski the grizzled vet. I could go on, with guys like Hintz and Stankoven filling out the lineup, but the proof is in the pudding. This is a skilled forward group, with solid puck-movers on the backend in Heiskanen and Harley. It was no surprise to me that they were able to put up a quick three spot on Colorado in the first game, though the corresponding collapse in the second and third period was unforeseen. Nonetheless, three goals in one period shows me that these goals can fly on the board, and if you’re going to take the Under, keep that butthole puckered.
But let’s not leave this section without giving some flowers to the Avs. You know how many times an Avs game has failed to go Over 6.5 goals this Playoffs? One time out of six games, and that was a spot where Colorado hung a 5-1 W on the Peg. And those games were primarily against a damn good defensive team in Winnipeg. This group just can’t be stopped. Oettinger, Hellebuyck, Jimmy, Joe, Tim, Rob, I don’t give a damn what your name is, they’re scoring the puck. And it’s not like this Avs d-core is the VGK d-core; it’s without-a-doubt less defensively capable. And Georgiev …. most definitely not Hill or Thompson. Dallas should tickle twine. But Colorado does not give on fuck as long as they win. Ride the wave folks.
Well that’s it people. I will be posting another betting article soon with more 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: New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes, 5:00 p.m. CST
Pick: Carolina Hurricanes Moneyline (-165) 1.65u
Game: Colorado Avalanche vs Dallas Stars, 7:30 p.m. CST
Pick: Over 6.5 Goals (+100) 1u