NHL PLAYOFFS 2010.04.20 results recap:
Phoenix Coyotes @ Detroit Red Wings: Under 5 +120 (2.20) JazzSports (3-0: WIN)
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Ottawa Senators: Pittsburgh Penguins 3Way (1X2) +130 (2.30) Bookmaker (4-7: WIN)
New Jersey Devils @ Philadelphia Flyers: Over 5 -105 (1.95) 5Dimes (4-1: PUSH/VOID)
Chicago Blackhawks @ Nashville Predators: Chicago Blackhawks -0.5 +122 (2.22) 5Dimes (4-1: LOSS)
NHL 2010.04.20 finished 2-1-1 and +1.5 units won/3 units risked.
NHL 2009-2010 season record: 176-224-6, -1.47 units won (400 units risked)
NHL since 2009.11.23: 144-162-6, +17.13 units won (306 units risked)
NHL PLAYOFFS (10-7-2, +4.02u) 2010.04.20 final 4 picks:
Buffalo Sabres @ Boston Bruins
Game after game, the Sabres are losing their belief. They started with a win, thinking that they could pass against a big team like the Red Wings. But after that first win, the team weren't able to hold Bruins offense. Their defense at this point isn't their worst fact, their offense is starting to struggle.
With Vanek probably out again, the team are showing some difficulties. They are shooting almost the same than the Bruins, but can be effective like them. Everyone still thinking that the Sabres still got their chances, and can win tonight to recover their home advantage.
But a team that have the best goalie theoretically, scored first in all the 3 games, will be able to "steal" a game on the road? Like I said in game 3, the Sabres are not the kind of team that we can expect a good performance on the road.
Their goalie, that has been incredible this season, done a incredible performance in game 1, allowing a win by one goal. But since that game, Bruins have improved a lot, and learned from that game. Ryan Miller can be a key, but not alone. He needs his team in order to help the team, but the team are starting to lose "gas", and the mechanism are being broken.
The Bruins are only the 6th seed while the Sabres are the 3th. Even so, they are favorites to pass this series. Everyone knows that the talent in the Bruins side haven't been shown yet. Meanwhile, the Sabres have fully accomplish their best shape yet, and it's hard to believe that they will improve.
In my opinion, when both teams arrived to the playoffs, the Sabres started to went down while finally the Bruins realize that now it's serious and so far are improving. Their defense has been outstanding lately. Rask is transcending himself lately, and at this point they are probably one of the best defending teams in NHL.
Another think to see the improvement, is that the Bruins were the worst offense between teams that are in the playoffs. Their game is based in defense, and they are able to win when their defense is effective.
But their offense is improving also lately, a lot, and while the Bruins are getting moral and confidence, the discouragement that the Sabres are showing, will be the key for a comfortable win for the Bruins.
Pick: Boston Bruins PL -1.5 +250 (3.50) Bookmaker
Vancouver Canucks @ Los Angeles Kings
Today, the Kings will host the Canucks, appointed by some people like one of the strongest contenders to hold the Stanley Cup. But the truth is that the Kings already stole the home advantage to Canucks, and could today hold that advantage. If they win today, they will only need one more game to advance, and even if they lose in Vancouver, they can pass at home.
The Canucks made their ride to the NHL playoffs mostly before the Olympic break. Until that break, the team were able to make fantastic streaks and were playing a really strong game. However, since the break, they are showing some problems, mostly in defense. The team are not playing as good as they were, and, sadly for Vancouver people, the team seems unable to reach their goals.
Vancouver hosted this year the Olympic Winter Games, where the Ice Hockey had a big impact. The people of the city were living a truly sports year, and the impact and underrated in the local team is higher than never. This might had some damage effect in the team. Nevertheless, and due to this facts, the team still favorite to win this game and the series.
The Kings won many game as dogs this season. But they still be underrated, as we can see today. At their own home, they are again dogs, in a game that can make the difference in the Kings team. The team as been cohesive all year, and even being a surprise their participation in the playoffs, the truth is that is deserved. The team can be really good, as they are not just good in defense or offense.
They can be good at both sides of the ice, and that's why they are hard to beat. At home, the team plays always better, allowing few goals and scoring a lot. In the past 3 games, we saw two games went to OT. Both games were in Vancouver, and one of that games were won by the Kings. This shows how the Kings approached this series, trying to steal at least one game at Vancouver to get advantage.
When they played the third game, already in Los Angeles, this series had the first game without OT. The Kings were able to solve the game in regular time, with a 5-3 result. Besides this moral differences, there are others thinks to keep in mind. The Kings were able to hold their defense in all three games, while the Canucks are showing big problems, specially in PP situation.
In the overall, the Kings scored 7 PP goals while the Canucks only 2. In this game, the home advantage is a big factor, as the Canucks ended the regular season with a negative record on the road.
Pick: Los Angeles Kings ML +104 (2.04) BetPhoenix, +100 (2.00) Bookmaker
*One unit each always.
