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NHL Futures: 2015 Stanley Cup Finals Exact Match Up Predictions

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Eight teams remain in the quest for the Stanley Cup. There’s still time to get in on some NHL futures action, but what picks should you make?

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NHL Free Pick: Wild vs. Blackhawks Betting Lines & Preview

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Weekly NHL Betting action sees the Minnesota Wild taking on the Chicago Blackhawks May 1 at United Centre. Cappers Picks provides free NHL handicapping tips all season long.

The Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks get back on the ice Friday night in Game 1 of their second round Western Conference series.

Daily NHL Hockey Odds

Minnesota (50-30-5-3) at Chicago (52-30-3-3)
When: 9:30 PM ET, Friday, May 1, 2015
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Broadcast: NBCSN, SN, TVA2
Wild NHL Betting Odds: +1½ -255 +124
Blackhawks NHL Betting Odds: -1½ +215 -137
NHL over under Betting Odds: Under 5 -114
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The teams have a deep recent playoff history – the Hawks have knocked the Wild out of the playoff two straight years.

The Blackhawks beat the Predators in six games while Minnesota upset second-seeded St. Louis in six games – both teams have had some time to heel up and both should be ready for Game 1.

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The Minnesota Wild were impressive in their dispatching of the St. Louis Blues in Round 1 and they bring an element of revenge, momentum and perhaps the biggest difference maker Devan Dubnyk into Game 1 Friday night. The Wild aren’t to be taken lightly especially with Dubnyk in the crease. He is the difference maker that the Wild lacked in playoffs past.

Dubnyk was 27-9-2 with a 1.78 goals-against average and .936 save percentage for the Wild in the regular season and posted a 2.32 GAA and a .913 save percentage in Round 1 against a pretty potent St. Louis attack.

The Wild head into Game 1 playing very well offensively as well. The top line of Parise, Granlund, and Pominville combined for 17 points against St. Louis. The problem is that the secondary scoring was underwhelming – Nino Niederreiter was the only other Wild player with more than three points.

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Thomas Vanek was virtually invisible – he had two assists against St. Louis – they will definitely need more from him in Game 1. Minnesota scored on four of 12 power play chances against St. Louis – impressive

Minnesota’s defense was good against St. Louis but they will have a different type of challenge in Chicago. The Wild will have to contend with three quality scoring lines – the tone will be set Friday night.

The good news for the Chicago Blackhawks heading into Game 1 is that their best position players did their jobs in Round 1. The bad news is that goaltender Corey Crawford, who guided them to the 2013 Cup wasn’t great and was even benched for three games against the Predators. That said, this is the Chicago Blackhawks we are talking about – they have immense playoff experience, they are dangerous up and down the lineup and they have had Minnesota’s number in the playoffs.

Against Nashville the Hawks looked every bit the talented offensive juggernaut that they should have been all season long. They welcomed Patrick Kane back to the lineup after a broken arm – he had seven points in the six games against Nashville, Jonathan Toews leads all players with eight postseason points, Brad Richards had five points and Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp, explosive Brandon Saad, Brian Bickell, Andrew Shaw, Antoine Vermette—and late season pickup Andrew Desjardins proved superior depth. Chicago should be able to score goals – the only thing standing in their way is Mr. Dubnyk.

The Hawks defense should be able to slow the Wild offense in Game 1 – Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith, Michal Rozsival, Kimmo Timonen, Nik Hjalmarsson and Johnny Oduya are a terrific corp. – the huge question is whether or not Corey Crawford does his part. The penalty kill was an issue as well – they surrendered six power play goals. Against the best statistical power play from Round 1, this could be an issue in Game 1.

Speaking of Crawford – he has been named starter for Game 1. He had a 4.19 GAA and .850 save percentage in the first round against a Nashville team that was hardly a potent offensive squad.

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Crawford did play well against Minnesota this season however – he posted a .948 save percentage during the regular season.

NHL Gambling Trends

• Over is 4-0-4 in MIN last 8 games following a win.
• MIN are 17-4 in their last 21 road games.
• Over is 4-1-3 in MIN last 8 overall.
• Under is 7-3-1 in CHI last 11 home games.
• CHI are 89-40 in their last 129 home games.
• Home team is 11-3 in the last 14 meetings.

The Blackhawks are 22-4 in their last 26 home playoff games, outscoring their opponents 88-54 in that stretch. The Wild are winless in six postseason games at Chicago, managing just eight goals in those losses.

Game 1s are often difficult to handicap – emotions are a funny thing. But off layoffs and with both offenses entering with a ton of confidence my play here is the Over – 5 goals.

NHL Betting 4* Free Play

Chicago will be out to make a statement against Mr. Dubnyk and Corey Crawford has been very generous so far in the playoffs. I expect a 4-2 game.

The Over – 5 goals

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2015 Odds To Win Stanley Cup – Futures Odds & NHL handicapping predictions

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The first round of the NHL playoffs were typically epic but void of any real upsets setting the stage for some quality Round 2 tilts. Vegas has released the updated Stanley Cup Future odds to win it all and after the first round of games – they look to have it right.

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NHL Free Pick: Flames vs. Ducks Betting Lines & Preview

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Weekly NHL Betting action sees the Calgary Flames taking on the Anaheim Ducks April 30 at Honda Center. Cappers Picks provides free NHL handicapping tips all season long.

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Free Series Picks: Capitals vs. Rangers NHL Playoffs Gambling Lines

NHL Predictions: Washington vs New York Futures

Round two of the Stanley Cup playoffs gets underway on Thursday evening when the Washington Capitals take on the New York Rangers. Cappers Picks will provide free NHL picks throughout the playoffs so check back often.

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Free Series Picks: Wild vs. Blackhawks NHL Playoffs Gambling Lines

Wild vs. Blackhawks Playoff Pick

For the third straight year the Minnesota Wild and the Chicago Blackhawks will meet in the Stanley Cup playoffs – Chicago beat Minnesota in five games in the first round of the 2013 playoffs before a six-game series victory in the second round last year.

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Free Series Picks: Flames vs. Ducks NHL Playoffs Gambling Lines

Flames vs Ducks Playoff Pick

The Cinderella Calgary Flames and the juggernaut Anaheim Ducks meet in the second round of the NHL playoffs. The Flames overcame a 3-0 score in Game 6 to knock out the Canucks while the Ducks were in tough against the Jets but swept Winnipeg out of the playoffs.

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Free Picks: New York vs. Washington Gambling Lines & NHL Preview

NHL Predictions: Islanders vs Capitals

Game seven of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs see the New York Islanders taking on the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center in Washington, District of Columbia. Cappers Picks provides free NHL handicapping tips all season long.

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NHL Free Pick: Blackhawks vs. Predators Betting Lines & Preview

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Weekly NHL Betting action sees the Chicago Blackhawks taking on the Nashville Predators April 23 at Bridgestone Arena. Cappers Picks provides free NHL handicapping tips all season long.

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NHL Free Pick: Ducks vs. Jets Betting Lines & Preview

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Weekly NHL Betting action sees the Anaheim Ducks taking on the Winnipeg Jets April 22 at MTS Center. Cappers Picks provides free NHL handicapping tips all season long.

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NHL Free Pick: Canucks vs. Flames Betting Lines & Preview

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Weekly NHL Betting action sees the Vancouver Canucks taking on the Calgary Flames April 21 at Scotiabank Saddledome. Cappers Picks provides free NHL handicapping tips all season long.

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NHL Free Pick: Predators vs. Blackhawks Betting Lines & Preview

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Weekly NHL Betting action sees the Nashville Predators taking on the Chicago Blackhawks April 21 at United Center. Cappers Picks provides free NHL handicapping tips all season long.

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NHL Free Pick: Ducks vs. Jets Betting Lines & Preview

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Weekly NHL Betting action sees the Anaheim Ducks taking on the Winnipeg Jets April 20 at MTS Center. Cappers Picks provides free NHL handicapping tips all season long.

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NHL Flames vs. Canucks April 17 Free Pick

NHL Free Pick: Flames vs. Canucks Lines and Preview

Flames lead series 1-0

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Weekly NHL Betting action sees the Calgary Flames taking on the Vancouver Canucks April 17 at Rogers Arena. Cappers Picks provides free NHL handicapping tips all season long.

So much for the youngsters on the Calgary Flames being intimidated in their first Stanley Cup game! The Calgary Flames were able to wrestle home ice advantage away from the Vancouver Canucks in Game 1 Wednesday night with a typical, gritty, never-say-die effort. The Canucks now know that they are indeed in for a dogfight – Game 2 should be very interesting Friday night.

Daily NHL Hockey Odds

Calgary (46-30-4-3) at Vancouver (48-30-3-2)
When: 10:00 PM ET, Friday, April 17, 2015
Where: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
Broadcast: CBC, CNBC, TVA

Calgary Flames +1½ -245 +131 Ov 5 -123
Vancouver Canucks -1½ +205 -145 Un 5 +112

The formula seems to be simple for the Calgary Flames – enter the third period down a goal or two and let the best third period offense in the game ramp up and do its thing. The Flames are no strangers to third period explosions – they outscored their opponents 99-68 this past season – on Wednesday night they bested the Canucks 2-0 in the final 20 minutes of the game. Calgary has made a name for themselves with the way they are able to come back in games – they are never, ever out of a contest!

The Flames’ offensive output in the third shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise on Wednesday – they were terrific down the stretch in averaging 3.19 goals per game during a 13-5-3 stretch. The defensemen on Calgary’s roster were especially visible in Game 1 – something that the Canucks simply has no answer for.

Defensively the Flames have Jonas Hiller to thank – he made some game-changing saves Wednesday night and is now 6-1-0 with a .946 save percentage in his last eight starts. Hiller is 4-2-0 in his last six starts in Vancouver with a .929 save percentage over that span. Solving Hiller has been no easy task the last couple of weeks – Vancouver has absolutely no choice.

The Vancouver Canucks have now lost a staggering seven straight games at home in the Stanley Cup playoffs after Wednesday night’s defeat -they have lost 11 of their last 12 postseason games overall and has been outscored 50-21 while losing 13 of their last 15 postseason games. Yikes!

Offensively the chances were definitely there but Jonas Hiller was there on a number of occasions to slam the door. Of concern is the fact that Radim Vrbata hasn’t scored in his last seven games – his longest stretch this season. The Sedins were dominant however despite being held off the score sheet which is a good sign. They along with Alex Burrows generated 9 of Vancouver’s 30 shots on goal – many of the quality variety.

Eddie Lack did nothing to warrant a benching for Game 2 – he played well in Game 1 stopping 28 of 30 shots. I guess Ryan Miller could get the nod but Lack was 2-0-0 with a 0.48 GAA and .985 save percentage in his last two starts before Game 1 and is deserving of another start.

NHL Gambling Trends

• CAL are 2-8 in their last 10 Fri. games.
• CAL are 23-6 in their last 29 vs. Pacific.
• Under is 18-7-3 in VAN last 28 vs. Pacific.
• CAL are 8-21 in the last 29 meetings.
• CAL are 8-20 in the last 28 meetings in Vancouver.

The Calgary Flames have now beaten the Canucks three straight times. But the matchup is very close on paper – it is Vancouver’s turn to win. The Canucks did a bunch of things right in Game 1 and weren’t rewarded – their fortunes turn around as they even up what looks as though it is going to be a seven game series.

NHL Betting 4* Free Play

Vancouver Canucks -145

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NHL Blackhawks vs. Preds April 17 Free NHL Pick

NHL Free Pick: Blackhawks vs. Predators Lines and Preview

Blackhawks lead series 1-0

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Weekly NHL Betting action sees the Chicago Blackhawks taking on the Nashville Predators April 17 at Bridgestone Arena. Cappers Picks provides free NHL handicapping tips all season long.

The Nashville Predators played about as well as they could through the first half of Game 1 against Chicago but it still wasn’t meant to be. After jumping out to a 3-0 lead the struggling Preds surrendered four straight goals en route to a 4-0 double OT defeat. Nashville has now lost seven straight games and now face the reality that one of the most dominant teams of the decade has a chance to put a real stranglehold on the series.

Daily NHL Hockey Odds

Chicago (49-28-3-3) at Nashville (47-25-5-6)
When: 9:30 PM ET, Friday, April 17, 2015
Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
Broadcast: NBCSN, SN, SN360, TVA3, CSN-CH, SPSO

Chicago Blackhawks +1½ -310 +101 Ov 5 -124
Nashville Predators -1½ +260 -111 Un 5 +113

Perhaps the Blackhawks got lucky in Game 1 but the experience edge that they own against Nashville was further magnified in the come-from-behind win. Chicago didn’t panic and methodically clawed their way back despite an ugly effort by Corey Crawford and a slow start but the offense.

The best news, outside of Wednesday’s result for Chicago is that goaltender Corey Crawford may have gotten his bad game out of the way. He allowed three goals on 12 shots and was pulled from the net after looking totally out of sorts. Backup Scott Darling emerged to steal the game with 42 saves in nearly 68 minutes of action. Prior to Game 1 Crawford had a 1.78 GAA and .944 save percentage in his previous four starts – as good as he had been all season long.

Expect Crawford to rebound Friday – he absolutely has to be better.

Chicago’s offense was as advertised – dangerous when given the chance. Patrick Kane played 23 minutes and recorded two assists, Patrick Sharp, Jonathan Toes, Nick Hjalmarsson and Duncan Keith scored and Keith, Toews, Marian Hossa and Kane all had multi-point games. This is the Hawks time of the season – scary if you are a Predators fan.

The Nashville Predators seem to be finding new ways to lose- seven straight losses and 10 losses in their last 12 games at home is definitely reason for alarm. So is the play of Pekka Rinne who looked OK Wednesday night but wasn’t able to be the difference maker that the Predators so require. Rinne has lost his last five starts with a 3.24 goals-against average and .871 save percentage – yikes!

Offensively the guns for Nashville failed to show up – Mike Ribeiro, Filip Forsberg, James Neal and Mike Fisher were all held pointless in the game – Fisher’s availability is in question after leaving in the second period of Wednesday’s game. That said, Nashville did score three times on the second best defense in the NHL but the defense and goaltending let them down.

NHL Gambling Trends

• Under is 5-2-1 in CHI last 8 Fri. games.
• NAS are 0-8 in their last 8 vs. Central.
• Over is 6-1-3 in NAS last 10 overall.
• Over is 6-1-2 in NAS last 9 vs. Western Conference.

There simply isn’t a whole lot to love about Nashville right now – they have been awful at home and have now lost seven straight games overall. Chicago smells blood – they gained a ton of confidence with every waning moment of Game 1. I expect the bleeding to continue Friday and for the most experienced and perhaps most professional team in the NHL to take full advantage. Without Pekka Rinne in absolutely top form this series is a mismatch!

NHL Betting 4* Free Play

Chicago Blackhawks +101

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Free Picks: New York vs. Washington Gambling Lines & NHL Preview

NHL Predictions: Islanders vs. Capitals

Game Two of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs see the New York Islanders taking on the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center in Washington, District of Columbia. Cappers Picks provides free NHL handicapping tips all season long.

NHL Hockey Odds

New York Islanders (1-0) vs. Washington Capitals (0-1)
Stadium: Verizon Center (District of Columbia)
Time/Date: 7:00 PM ET; Friday April 17th
NHL Odds: New York Islanders +130/ Washington Capitals -140
Over/Under: 5.5 (+120 Over)

The Islanders showed no signs of stumbling or fear as they came out and dominated in all aspects of the game en route to a 4-1 Game 1 win over the Capitals. The Islanders will look to do something they haven’t done in over 32 years on Friday as they search for a 2-0 lead in the series. Washington will look to captain, Alexander Ovechkin, in hopes of bringing the Caps back to even in this series. Ovechkin was held scoreless throughout Game 1 and the Islanders always seem to have eyes him, not allowing him to move freely and quickly.

New York Islanders

The Islanders stumbled into the post season with multiple key losses down the stretch that forced them to give up home ice in the first round of the playoffs. They showed none of those signs in Game 1 as they took care of business and stole home ice right back from the Capitals, who stole it on the last day of the regular season.

The Islanders got contributions from just about everyone in Game 1, but the main guy was Brock Nelson. Nelson scored 2 goals and solidified the win for New York.

New York also got a goal from Josh Bailey, along with an assist.

F and leading point getting John Tavares didn’t even record a shot in Game 1. Expect him to come out firing in Game 2 on Friday as he tallied 86 points throughout the entire regular season.

G Jaroslav Halak recorded 24 saves and allowed just one to squeak by him in the first period. If he continues to play like he did in Game 1, the Islanders fortunes could be bright.

Washington Capitals

The Capitals must find a way to get more shots and continue to put pressure on Islanders’ goalie Jaroslav Halak on Friday. Putting just 25 shots on goal in Game 1, Washington will look to get Alexander Ovechkin going as they hope to head to New York with the series tied 1 game a piece.

The lone goal scorer for Washington was F Marcus Johansson. Johansson scored in the first period to even things up at 1, but the Capitals failed to put anything else on the board after. Johansson continues his impressive campaign as he has racked up 47 points on the season.

Caps goalie Braden Holtby faced 29 shots in Game 1, and allowed 3 of them to get past him. While he didn’t play bad by any means, he’ll need some help from his defense as they failed to put any traffic in front of the goal throughout the entire game.

Dating back to last season, the Capitals have scored just that one goal over their last 3 playoff games. In 2014, they had similar scoring problems as they were shutout by the other New York team, the Rangers, in the final 2 games before they were eliminated.

Expect Washington to be even more physical than in Game 1 as they cannot afford to head on the road with a 2-0 deficit.

NHL Hockey Trends:

  • Islanders are 23-9 in their last 32 vs. Metropolitan.
  • Islanders are 3-8 in their last 11 vs. a team with a winning record.
  • Capitals are 11-4 in their last 15 vs. Eastern Conference.
  • Capitals are 21-10 in their last 31 games playing on 1 days rest.

Free 4* NHL Pick: Washington -140

Lay the juice here as Washington should be incredibly prepared and focused for this one. A win and they’re right back in the series, a loss could spell a whole world of trouble for them. Expect Ovechkin to come up big in a home win for Washington.

Washington 3, New York 2