Written by Graeme on Friday, May 5th, 2023
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Well it isn’t the start the Toronto Maple Leafs fans wanted, as they have went 2-0 down at home.
People can talk about being goalied, or just pure bad luck. And I mean that is true – Bobrovsky pulled off some big saves again, and Leafs have hit the post so many times.
But man – you’re paying this Top 6 how much? You need to be scoring more than two goals per game.
The Stars won last night in very dominant fashion. I must admit I did fall asleep during that first period though where it felt like nothing was happening. Stars absolutely dominated them though in that 2nd period and got the deserved victory.
We have just the lone game tonight. Let’s get to it:
Hurricanes vs Devils Game 2 Betting Tips:
Scott: The Hurricanes were ready for whatever the Devils were going to throw at them scoring the 1st 2 goals of the game and won 5-1. The extra time off gave the Canes the extra rest they needed.
The Canes played so strong defensively in the 1st that the Devils couldn’t establish any sort of game plan limiting them to only 1 shot.
Schmid again got pulled after allowing 3 goals.
The Devils have been a strong road team but it sure didn’t help them here. With a game against them under their belt they should have a better showing in game 2 or face going down 2-0 heading home.
Devils win incl OT.
Ontario: 2.01 Odds at Sports Interaction (SIA) - Non-Ontario bet $10 get $200
Canada: 2.04 Odds at BetOnline.
USA: +104 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv1
Everyone Else: 2.04 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2023/05/05 7:13:29 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Graeme: I mean – you can just look back at what I wrote in the series prediction thread. I was stunned the Hurricanes were dogs in this series. Then they go out and do what they did in Game 1. Not a surprise.
Not that I am counting the Devils out or anything. We literally saw this exact scenario in the last series, and they came back and won.
So right away just based on the result and my earlier thoughts, I’m thinking about taking the Canes again. But let’s do a bit of a deeper dive into the metrics.
In 5 vs 5, the Devils had the better xG and HDCF. That’s very slightly tainted by the fact that they were chasing. But the Canes managed to score most goals in that situation. Excellent conversion.
When we look at the overall metrics, it’s a whole different story. Although 5v5 SVA is still a bit tighter.
Anyway yeah. I’m really seeing nothing to put me off the Canes. The only factor is the Devils goalie situation. They settled down a tad when Schmid got pulled and that could affect things tonight. Then there’s of course complacency that can settle in etc.
And who knows – maybe we’re going to see another Devils/Rangers series where it plays to both extremes.
But either way I’m good to back Canes to win incl OT tonight. I don’t mind a regulation bet either, but the sportsbooks are still giving the Devils too much respect IMO, so happy to go with the OT bet.
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 BetOnline.
Everyone Else: 1.86 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
(Odds correct as of 2023/05/05 7:13:29 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Full game UNDER 6.0
Lean: Canes win puckline
Looking at Round 1 results of these two teams combined, in the total of 13 games played, 9 games had one team score 1 or less goals. Carolina had 4 games go to 1-goal difference results and New Jersey had only 1. Only 1 of 13 games had both teams score 3 or more goals. All together, only 3 of 13 games went over a total of 6.0. Totals tended to drop below 5.5 in the later games of Round 1 with these two teams.
Patterns I’m trying to identify are 1) who can score when needed and how often, and 2) who wins via offensive onslaughts, and neither team was ever much of a big scorer. Their wins were partly with participation of the opposing team not scoring much at all (Rangers and Islanders) due to either strong defense or the other team failing to score due to their own inabilities.
With the Canes at home and since they had the extra day off before Round 2 started, I’m going for an Under 6.0 result. Both teams had very low “Goals Against” totals for the regular season, and the playoffs stressing defense……
I agree with Graeme with the lean towards a Carolina win, but not sure yet how I’ll deal with that.
It´s amazing how much the Leafs suck. And any team that has TikTok as a sponsor don´t deserve to win shit anyway.
I’m hoping the Leafs just had one of those playoff games where everything’s a little fatigued and out of sync, and that they get their performance nutrition and rest and come back supercharged. They looked out of phase getting out of their own zone and a little like Calgary in spending far too much time wrestling along the boards instead of getting into good shooting lanes. Fingers crossed. They’ve had a good run so far, time to persist with it!
Agree with you to some extent (and Leafs always lose their 7th games to be honest right hehe).
I´ll give them that they´ve had som good chances, post hits etc. and Bobrovsky has been great both games. They haven´t sucked 100%.
But looking at that 3-2 goal as an example..ugh.
Marner with puck in his own zone just had to go forward with it, instead he makes a pass to
Matthews who tries to do some fancy-Messi-chip IN HIS OWN ZONE, turnover and bang 3-2. Just so stupid! They need to play and play hard the whole game and not start when they are down.
I don´t know..if they managed to win this series I´ll be very impressed. We´ll see my friend!
Ah c’mon man you write off TikTok sponsored teams you’re writing off Wrexham. That’s too far.
😂