NHL Playoffs 1st Round

[Rob the I ty]

To win 1st round of the playoffs.

Vancouver 1.66. The Canucks are really playing together as a team right now. The Sedin's have matured into the superstar duo that everyone expected of them. Their defence is gritty and they have dangerous shots from the point. Most importantly the Canucks have the best goaltender in the NHL in Roberto Luongo. This will be his first playoff appearence and he will be eager to show what he can do on the playoff stage. The Stars have had a quite season but they find themselves like usual in the playoffs. But this team relies on the shootout as much any team, but the shootout won't help you in the playoffs. Turco has also been a playoff disapointment is whole career. The Canucks have the edge in all facets except Stanley Cup experience but the Canucks are the better team at the moment.

San Jose 1.90. This is might the best opening round series. The Sharks are rolling similar to last season when Thronton and Cheechoo were scorching. Their no name defense have played unspectacular but admirably. The Preds will seek revenge for last season's lost to the Sharks in 5 games. The Preds are stronger this season but were given the least desirable matchup they could have got. I expect the Sharks to split the first 2 games in Nashville which will set the stage for the Sharks to win in 6 games.

Calgary 2.90. Good value for the Flames here. The Wings may be the #1 seed, but they are more of a regular season team. The Flames are made for the playoffs, their aggressive, gritty style is the kryptonite for Detroit's flowing style. The physicality of the Flames will wear on the Wings much like the Oilers did to Detroit last season. In the past few seasons Calgary haven't been able to score enough goals. That hasn't been the problem this season where the Flames have two high powered scoring lines, plus Jerome Iginla is tailor made for the playoffs. In nets Kipprusoff has proven he can take a team to the Cup finals, while Hasek continues to tap into the fountain of youth. Even matchup so go with the value in Calgary.

NY Rangers 2.10. The Rangers have gone on a late season surge to snatch 7th place in the east. They have gone 13-3-4 down the stretch. The Thrashers are making their first ever playoff appearance thanks to their high powered offense. While the Thrashers have a very potent top line they don't have the secondary scoring to be a major threat. Both teams have weak defenseman but the Rangers play much better team defense and they also have slightly better goaltending. Jagr has also been dominant down the stretch, when his line is on the puck is in the opponents zone about 75% of the time.

Other picks: TB @2.75, Ana @1.54.

As for the anticipated series IMO is between Ottawa and Pittsburgh, I'm leaning towards the Sens because they've been here before. I believe the Sens will win the Eastern conference but this will be their most difficult test of the playoffs, its really a shame because these are the 2nd & 3rd best teams in the conference and one will be going home early. So Ottawa @8.50 to win the Cup is still decent value, but their toughest test is right now.

[Tulenos]

Can't agree more with the Rangers pick as they are overpriced, imo.

SJS also look worth a punt at such odds.

Anyway, haven't really looked into the match-ups as yet.

Prices allowing, a profitable strategy is generally going for a split in the first couple of games in ALL series - backing the away team and stop at a winner We'll see this season

[expert]

Okay, was waiting for the play offs to start. Really crap form f my betting made me leave the last rounds alone. Cant say anything yet now, but agree with most what Rob has written. Admit that Ottawa vs. Pittsburgh clash will cause me some zombie-like days in future as this clash is cream-of-the-crop in 1st round - at least IMHO. Cant wait to see them in action.

[Tulenos]

Wed 11/4

San Jose Sharks @ Nashville Predators (01:05 BST)	2.28	1.76	101%	Related markets...Money LineMatch ResultPuck Line - - -Total GoalsCorrect ScoreFirst Goal TimeFirst Scoring Team WinsFirst Team to ScoreFirst to 3 goalsHighest Scoring PeriodLast Team to ScoreMargin of VictoryOdd or Even Total
Dallas Stars @ Vancouver Canucks (03:05 BST)	2.30	1.73	102%	Related markets...Money LineMatch ResultPuck Line - - -Total GoalsCorrect ScoreFirst Goal TimeFirst Scoring Team WinsFirst Team to ScoreFirst to 3 goalsHighest Scoring PeriodLast Team to ScoreMargin of VictoryOdd or Even Total
Minnesota Wild @ Anaheim Mighty Ducks (03:35 BST)	2.52	1.63	102%	Related markets...Money LineMatch ResultPuck Line - - -Total GoalsCorrect ScoreFirst Goal TimeFirst Scoring Team WinsFirst Team to ScoreFirst to 3 goalsHighest Scoring PeriodLast Team to ScoreMargin of VictoryOdd or Even Total

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Ottawa Senators (00:05 BST)

2.62

1.59

102%

[Tulenos]

The prices look good enough to use the split strategy - all road dogs to win Game 1, stop at a win, ie. double the stake on those who don't win and roll on to Game 2 (is used only in the first two games so not a martingale at all, don't even think of martingaling it throughout the series which would be a costly mistake). This strategy has worked year in, year out as far as I remember

[Magica10]

this is what i have on my mind today

Now the Playoffs as a whole? Well its hard to not like an Under almost any day of any game, teams tighten up Defensively, and its the teams that cant Tighten up Defensively enough that Obviously Set some Tee Times at the Resort!! lol

and obviously the best goalies seem to be the ones who, #1 Get highlighted thru out the playoffs when their team is gettin deep into May, and #2 Most usually is deserving

When has Tending not been an Issue Come playoff time, Example, as we all know he could build a website called Arod-Bills-itis.com And Having The Disease of ArodBillisitis, is not a good thing come playoff time lol

(Obv somewhat of an American Comment if you know About Buffalo Bills Losing 4 str Superbowls and Arod Just Not showing up in October (Playoffs)
Turco has that same Issue, He has had so many Pretty damn Decent Reg Seasons, and its Dallas and/or Turco lead teams that arent making it deep into May, so beware of that to an extent, when you think you cant win, that can **** with you, not that Hes thinkin "Im no good right now" but hey, History only speaks the words of Playoff Lure, and When the Kahunas have been needed Hes not been the Guy who Held them out and said Blow me, ya know lol

And then ofcourse we look at the other side and If Marty B didnt go nuts in NJ. wed all be talking about what Luongo did this year, esp after the games started meaning more, and the last 50 games or so, they are just the team to beat, and Home, and Having big #1 Behind you?
Vancouver is decent Juice, im seeing -134 for a home team, in Canada, playing an American Team, That ALways adds Fuel to a Canadaina Playoff scenario, its just the way it is, and im not Canadaian, Maybe One of the guys from there can tell me what It means to take out an American Team in the Playoffs, SInce hey, Im happy weve had the Cup in the States for the Last Years, i mean the Rangers won the Cup in 94? trust me i wont forget that as long as i live lol) And im pretty sure its been that long since weve had it in the states, Habs winning in 93 before us i believe, SO atleast them Edmonton games and that Crowd DOin the Anthem in Unison? andthe guy holdin out the Mike for everyone to sing it, ****ing Awesome, i still have Game 6 or whatever it was last year at Edmonton recorded on my DVR to watch how cool a Home crowd In Canada Can Be, thay was Unforgettable, And Vancouver has so much Playoff Frustration in their history as well obviously, but anyway sorry lol

I think the crowd really will help Vancouver tonight , and to answer one question? to take the series? Vancouver -115, Dallas -105? The most even of the series, and yes SJ is a Slight Fav too +120 SJ, to +100 Even Dough on Nashville

Hmm Ok if you need to make an Edumacated guess , Obviously Turcos Failures are on my mind, And Luongo obv being at the top of his game put me on Vancouver, But its not just about that, This Dallas Team may not have been the team that started the Season like 8 - 0 - 1 I Believe, which as the thinkdog guys know, i had said after game 2 or 3 that Dallas wont lose until atleast their 9th Game, so that worked out well for us, played it every day i believe atthe Board
Almost like again Todays Yankee Over and Houstons Under in MLB, I told you pre season, along with Washington being a AAA team at best, and what people at my oldl forum saw me with Iona And Colorado's Futility all year, that i think we will be able to take Advantage of those plays at any time almost, and again they hit tonight but i didnt post it like a Stupid Mo Fo!! Duh!!i have them in plenty of posts and is a Contributor to why im doin ok with my plays overall, Regardelss, damn this might be a long post huh lol

Hey you know what this stuff takes an Hour and change to type and Do typo checks, and it only takes a Few Mins to read so shut it!!! lol

Ok ill go with Vancouver to take the first game, and there may just be an Under or two in this series, I mean indeed Turco does not want to hear about it, and Luongo doesnt want to let him get over some of that Futility with a Big series win over him, this game could easily end 1 - 1 Full time and 2 - 1 in Deep OT, i mean, you just know 2 of these Games will go OT, No?
I mean i think dor sure 2 of these game will end 3 - 2 at best, we may see an Over somewhere in here , ofcourse the nerves and Goals finding the net ar ethe point of Post season Hockey, SO these two offenses Obviously can DO damage when needed, neither is a CUpcake to defend, but ofcourse both can do just that, Defend, KEEP IN MIND , THe Biggest of all Stats i can find i mean HELLO ~~~~~

4 Games Between them this year ~~~ Um if you miss this you just are A dead Man walking!! lol

4 games 2 - 1 in all 4, thats nuts, so hey, and its PLAYOFF TIME TO BOOT????, well until they do it once, ill play the first game under for sure, Vancouver edgin this one out 2 - 1 Is the best scenario i could hope for, And for the prop bet guys, which im not the best at to be honest, 1st per Under 1.5? um well how do you not? there have barely 2 goals in a ****ing game between these two, so todays the magic day? god i hope not, ill be pissy lol

1st Period Under 1.5

Game Under 5

Nucks -135

(about the series? i dont know, im a game by game kinda guy, thats tough to do for me, so i know i cant really make a recommendation to you if i wont play it myself and thats another reason why id hate to make a Play for you, if i miss it, i dont want to piss you off because you leaned on it harder because i liked a play, i mean you guys have your own cash and Sites to deal with, i know i hate it if i miss a play and someone tailed it, Feel like shit all night, even if i go 4 - 1 or something and you say yeah well itook that ONE? i still be upset that it happened at all, but anyway, sorry i no touch!! lol


Ok the Pengs and Sens, Well guys, the name of my forum was thinkdog as most of you know for the most part and where better than to catch a Doggie Bad to go then at the House of The Sens, and i see that prop bet that Man spoke of is -180 for Ott to move on, pretty high juice, along with Anaheims juice up there too, But game 1 is the last time i think we will see a + ML at this price, this series should be tight , the Pengs could easily take a game or two, and ill go with the first one tonight with as i mentioned, may be the best Juice well get again, and Pitt did take the Lasat 3 to end the season in the Reg Season Series, and Scored 12 goals Combined in the three, and look at how theyve played eachother Oerall up until the last game, ill bet you i had that Over posted somewhere in that last game because its all they do when they play eachother is Find the Net

Pitt ML +150

This total is killin me, i mean who doesnt expect all sorts of offense from this series, and i want to take the Total tonight? ahh man, there are going to be unders coming, theres got to be one to find somewhere but i cant indeed post an Under with that Mentioned Offense not being afraid of eachother, so ill let gm 1 go and See what happens for gm 2 on the Total Play but i think its 6.5 because it will be 4 - 3 to be honest, but thats a toughy, i cant post it but you see where im thinkin, and what history is backing between them, not too many unders to find in the last couple of years

Phew ok, San Jose and Nashville, with this being a Supposed tight series says Vegas with what i mentioned the -120 on SJ to move on to the next series, i mean thats a statement when you start on the Road and Game 7 could be in Nashville if it comes, and the "Road team" has the Chalk, Says Alot to me, and If you didnt See, DOugie Weight was on ESPN news today and he said he honestly liked Sj To Represent the Western Conf for the Cup, so something tells me he has them beating nashville in the first round too, ya think!!! lol

Anyway, Ill go SJ to win the Series too then, he Played against them, taking a Bit of Dougies comments to heart here i mean he did hold the cup up and throw a Big Fat SMOOCH on it with that Full beard of his!!! so he knows the Competition as well as anyone, and i agree boys, i mean SJ has the D, obviously the Physical D and O, Hey why not, i see em movin on too, and Game 3 and 4 in the Tank might be some nuts playoff Action, seein unders somewhere in this series too, but i dont want to pay -135 to find out if that can stay under 5, but it can happen for sure

We have to consider last year as well here boys, Late April hockey between these two, and That told us Nash took the First game at home and Never showed up again!!! lol 4 gm Sweep (of sorts), so how much redemtion does Nashville want, they better damn well try and get that firstwin again, because if they indeed lose gm one and every one starts talking about last year and the 4 gm Wrap up to finish off Nash last year with the cup on the line, but i am also a Huge proponent of the fact that SJ has indeed 4 str Playoff wins vs Nash in reality, and thats big but Nash DId show up taking 3 of the 4 matchups this year to get atleast a Bit of Immediate redemption, taking the First home game after the 4 gm playoff sweep, so Nash and Losing Sullivan and Erat is still going to cost this team a bit i think, Yeah Peter this, and Mr Buffalo from last year, and Vokoun, at home, Big game for Nashville, and its tough recommending taking SJ to win the series not posting i think they can win the first game, ya know, a Home team Favored tonight pretty good (-135) yet givin no shot to win the series? well a Dog atleast of the two, not that +100 is a Dog, its even money i know but itll cost you to take SJ for the series and cost you to take the Preds tonight, so that says something to me too, which of them happen is the first thing i have on my mind, Me bein a Dog seeker type a guy, If SJ wins we have to listen to the 5 in a row in the series, and hey SJ cant win this game, Dogs are always good to have in big games for home teams sometimes, still wondering what true Identity They Have in my mind, SJ was the one winning 7 of 8 to cruise into the Cup Chase, losing the last game because they could afford to not kill themselves , set for Rd 1 and having to travel with 3 days rest, as does Nash, this is big stuff, and if i remember, didnt Nashville lose like Vokoun or someone big last year that totally wrecked Nashvilles chances further? i may be wrong, i only have so many things to Keep in that Little of a Space lol

Im going Sharks, i mean i can hopefully hear Espn (or your local affiliate) about ow SJ has Nashvilles # again !! and Favored to win the series too? ahh game one Road dog, love me long time!!

SJ ML +118

SJ taking Series -120

Well the Wild/Duck Game, which may just end up being a Wild Duck Game, the home team has Owned this series obviously, and Vegas Tagged the Ducks Pretty good to win the series, And with A team that Everyone said be Afraid of, sure they dealt with alot this year, ALot, and You know what, all year long it was just like saying yeah just wait till they get to Mid-Late APril and We all find out that the ducks put In Wins enough to be here, and Selanne, Pronger, and do i have to go on? i could name the roster too, big deal, they are ready they are in the Pond and this place is going to be nuts, NUTS, and Backstrom got imbedded in my head from a guy at my forum about not being afraid of Minny Unders because Mannys Gone, And he held true, i mean be honest, Backstrom kept the UnderDome the "Underdome" Plenty, He is damn good, but i dont know if hes ready to deal with yet and i want him to prove it to me NOW that he can, -155 isnt that Bad, But i cant help myself here, and Hey itll kill me to have it, as i know in my mind, i have had no success with Puck Lines, but look at that, IF Anaheim makes a Statement tonight, as Indeed at home, and Favored to win the series big, IM STARING AT +190 Jesus i gotta do it, if youre as Adamant about Ana goin out and Turning it on now that Its Really time to skate? im with ya brother, thats A Dishout and A Half , Uh Maybe Even two lol and we can get -.5 at +100 too

Mighty Aflac Ducks Puck Line -1.5 +190

Ok then, was that enough or do you need more? lol

Jesus well WTF man, its playoff hockey!!!! Sorry for any typos if they are there

GL on the Ice, may the Puck fall where it may for us!!

[Rob the I ty]

Good start for my series predictions. Little worried about the Canucks though, Dallas was the better team last night or this morning.
For tonight:
NYR/Atl under 5.5.
TB 2.50.

[Scythe]

Event	NY Islanders - Buffalo
Selection	Buffalo
Strength	10/10
Date	16/04/2007
Bookmaker/Price	Starbet @ 2.00 (Back)
Reasoning	Thid game of the serie, serie is tied 1:1 (1:4, 3:2). I didn't watched any of this two games because i was away from home, but seems to me that NYI played as expected and put a hard fight in second game. Now when DiPietro is back they look a little bit better and Buffalo won't take it easy, but one player doesn't make a team and i think that Buffalo is better team here. In regular season Buffalo had W17-D12-L12 134:114 away, Islanders had W16-D12-L13 113:97 at home which isn't really a good achivment. On top of it NYI still have a lot of missing players, and mainly defenders so i expect it to bounce back to them sooner or later. Today defenders Bouchard, Simpson and Martinek are surley out, Freddy Meyer is doubtful and center Bates and winger Simon are also out. Buffalo will miss only Paul Gaustad who is already injured for two months. Tradition is also on away side as Buffalo has W13-D5-L8 overall and W6-D2-L4 in away games. They are W8-L2 in last ten games against NYI and won three of their four encounters in this regular season: 2007-03-31 Buffalo 6-4 NY Islanders 2007-01-28 NY Islanders 5-3 Buffalo 2007-01-01 Buffalo 3-1 NY Islanders 2006-10-27 NY Islanders 0-3 Buffalo I don't expect an easy game, but a lots of missings in NYI roster and Buffalo quality should prevail here...

[expert]

Ottawa @ Pittsburgh
I really like the look on the totals in this game. Its set on 6.5 and this one could be achieved pretty easily imo. Why? Well the edges are all around. Last game finished with 4-2 in Ottawas favour and the look on the PPs played and the number of shots is the one that makes me so confident. Okay if we look it statistically, there were only 7 PPs in game 3 – compared to 12 and 16 in first two – damn little. The number od shots Pens achieved will be probably a series low as they shooted only 19 times in 3rd game and Ottawa added 25 in same match – which made the total of 44 SOG. i mean in game 1 and also game 2, Senators themeselves had 37 SOG in each of them, with Pens adding 21 and 26 SOG.

So its game 4 time and the Pens are behind with 2-1, so this game is crucial, if Pittsburgh losses today its probably all over in this best of seven series. So expecting fired up home team and a game with lots of tension which will result in lots of 2 minute penalties.

Pick: Over 6.5 @ 2.02 Pinnacle

Edit: Strenght 5/10

[kkull]

Since teams are more defensive in playoffs, then 1 play for tonight:
San Jose/Nashvill under 5,5. I hope these guys will keep on playing defense. Also Buffalo/NYI under 5,5 looks good too, simply because DiPietro is good right now and all the games between these teams(3) have ended with exactly 5 goals(bookies still have over 5,5 as favorite...!? WTF!?). Will the trend continue tonight? And Tampa bay - NJ Devils under 5,5 looks good also. I cannot see these going over unless some serious mistakes in defense like yesterday from Atlanat. Devils usually don't score much away and today I think they must not conceede 3 goals or they will loose. They cannot outscore Tampa, so they have to be more defensive...
Also Isles - Sabres under doesn't look that good because 3 games with exactly 5 goals. This trend must be broken sometime... It cannot last forever...

[Tulenos]

I can see NYR to sweep the series, esp. after trashing the Thrashers 7-0 in Game 3. ML @ 1.5 doesn't appeal much, -1.5 pucks is a risky proposition, but might deliver the goodies @ 2.5

[Rob the I ty]

Yeah after the first games where there was loads of goals teams are settling down defensively and playing good ole playoff hockey.

[Rob the I ty]

I think the Rangers are bringing the brooms out tonight, but not much value in them @1.45.

[Tulenos]

Now now - it might be a hunch, but Dallas are trailing Vancouver (1-3) and are in their last chance saloon. Well, the thing is they haven't been able to convert what they've got. They actually outplayed the Canucks for long periods and still couldn't win - playing with their backs against the wall, though, I don't think they are a bad bet @ some 2.3 @ BF

[G:G]

Agree about Dallas.

Dallas ml @ 2.25 (Pinnacle)
Dallas are in a very tough spot now, 1-3 in the series, after loosing two home matches, both with 1-2. I think they might show that they are alive tonight, they were really unlucky last match, I hope that Canucks won't have every possible margin on their side again. Dallas have not given up yet, and this price looks like worth taking. Luongo is human after all, time for him to show it and Dallas to realize it!