Written by Graeme on Thursday, April 20th, 2023
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Another great night of playoff action.
The Panthers showed they still have that ability to unlock the Bruins defense as I expected, and this time they made it matter putting 6 goals past them in a big win for Florida.
The Hurricanes got the win but it was in OT against the Islanders.
The Stars vs Wild series continues to be a banger with the Stars winning 7-3 there, and the Oilers got the win in regulation over the Kings, which was a universal pick by both of us.
Now we turn our attention to the next set of Game 2s.
Leafs vs Lightning Game 2 Betting Tips:
Scott: Well the Leafs went down 3-0 after the 1st and that killed them. They opened the 2nd with 2 goals but the Lightning were just too good.
The Leafs took 8 penalties and the Lightning scored 4 powerplay goals. That has to change.
I went with the Leafs to win this series so they have to win this game.
The odds are still on the Leafs and I would need to take them in regulation. I’ll instead wait and see how this game goes and how they respond.
No bet
Graeme: Damn those refs! Yet again showing the entire NHL is set up just to cause misery on the Leafs.
It was a piss poor performance by Toronto. I was mad at Samsonov trying to own it, as if it was all his fault. It was not.
Leafs are a much better team than that, and while sometimes they can be their own worst enemy, I think they come out flying here and really flex their muscle.
The advanced metrics were all pretty close, and penalties were a deciding factor in this one.
I like the Leafs to bounce back much like the Oilers.
Leafs in Regulation
Ontario: 2.05 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Canada: 2.05 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
USA: +100 Odds at Bovada
Everyone Else: 2.05 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2023/04/20 7:43:15 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Devils vs Rangers Game 2 Betting Tips:
Scott: The Rangers scored the first 4 goals and looked great in winning game 1. The only goal they allowed was a penalty shot.
The experience the Rangers have really showed in game 1 and they will have momentum on their side.
Rangers win incl OT
Ontario: 2.10 Odds at Sports Interaction (SIA) - Non-Ontario bet $10 get $200
Canada: 2.15 Odds at BetOnline.
USA: +115 Odds at BetOnline.
Everyone Else: 2.15 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2023/04/20 7:43:15 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Graeme: I’m so conflicted on how this series will go after Game 1. It looks like one of those series where the Rangers are just too strong, too motivated and are going to roll. But we’ve seen them falter before. Plus the Devils might be able to make the necessary adjustments – nowhere to go but up after that.
Looking at the metrics, makes me lean the Devils. But at 1.76 odds after losing in that fashion, I just can’t back that at all.
My gut says this game goes over, but the metrics from Game 1 don’t agree.
But I’m going to take a gamble here – that there were first game jitters, and now that is out of the way we see a much more flowing game.
Over 5.5 goals
Ontario: 1.86 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Canada: 1.86 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
USA: -115 Odds at Bovada
Everyone Else: 1.86 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2023/04/20 7:43:15 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Avalanche vs Kraken Game 2 Betting Tips:
Scott: The Kraken won their first playoff game in their playoff debut. Grubauer was great in the win too.
The Avalanche had their first round win streak snapped at 10 games dating back to 2020.
The Avalanche have the experience so they will have to turn things around here.
Avalanche in regulation
Ontario: 1.83 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Canada: 1.83 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
USA: -135 Odds at Bovada
Everyone Else: 1.83 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2023/04/20 7:43:15 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Graeme: I just can’t bring myself to back the Avs. I absolutely hated them during the regular season, and after Game 1 my thoughts haven’t changed.
I don’t have the confidence in them at all bar their name value. The Kraken I always felt were a real coinflip of a team.
I can’t back the Kraken either though. I’m probably gonna bet them tonight, but it’s not something I can advise. No bet for me.
Golden Knights vs Jets Game 2 Betting Tips:
Scott: The Jets looked great in game 1. They pressured the puck carrier not giving them time to make plays. They held the Knights to only 17 shots on goal.
The Knights will have to be more intense in game 2 and they have the players that can do that. Stone looked off after missing being off since January 12th and once he gets back up to game speed that will go a long way in helping the Knights.
Knights win in regulation
Ontario: 2.10 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Canada: 2.10 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
USA: +100 Odds at Bovada
Everyone Else: 2.10 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2023/04/20 7:43:15 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Graeme: I’m pretty much ready to not back any games involving the Jets for the rest of the playoffs. Where the hell did that performance come from? Knights offense couldn’t get anything going at all.
Feel like Knights have to open up more in this one, and that could lead to goals. I’m gonna go with Over 5.5 goals.
Ontario: 1.87 Odds at Sports Interaction (SIA) - Non-Ontario bet $10 get $200
Canada: 1.87 Odds at Sports Interaction (SIA) - Non-Ontario bet $10 get $200
USA: -113 Odds at Bovada
Everyone Else: 1.86 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2023/04/20 7:43:15 AM EST but are subject to change.)
To WIN moneyline: New York Rangers
To WIN reverse puckline of +1.5: Seattle
Full game OVER 6.0: Leafs/Lightning
Lean: to WIN moneyline: Seattle
For fans, tonight’s games will be great to watch, looking for the series’ drama to intensify.
I’m off the Jets game, they’re never consistent and I expect the rusty sword Knights to try smelling salts and smoke the war pipe around the Round Table, but what that could mean remains to be seen. The OVER is tempting, but not yet.
Leafs? 1967 stands out in the record books for many reasons, and for the good of the game I’d like the corporate mirage Leafs to shake off the history of never doing anything in the playoffs. Since 2017, the Leafs have met tough customers in Round 1, and they do again. I see fireworks around the twine, but can’t pick a side.
Rangers are scary good. Jersey is good, but the Rangers are a peaking club.
Seattle clearly isn’t screwing around, just like Vegas didn’t screw around in their first few seasons, before trades dismantled what they were. Colorado has been suspect all season, for injuries and incredible inconsistency. They may still be quite out of tune. The odds for Seattle to win this game are floating around x2.95, and Seattle on the reverse puckline of +1.5 is still attractive at roughly x1.75. The stats on Seattle show some very good consistency and strength in some regards, enough to prevent me choosing the Avs for any game in this series, barring injuries that haven’t happened yet. Seattle has that most important ingredient: composure. In the regular season: