Stanley Cup Odds – Penguins, Red Wings On The Ropes
The Stanley Cup playoffs are heating up and sportsbook oddsmakers are forced to shift around the daily lines. While the Detroit Red Wings looked like a shoe-in to win the Stanley Cup after getting a freebie in the second-round with a matchup against the No. 8 seed Anaheim Ducks, the truth is that their freebie is not giving them a free ride.
The Ducks are ahead 2-1 in their series with Detroit and have stolen home ice advantage from the reigning champs. Detroit has to wake up in Game 4 or they’ll be facing a 3-1 deficit very shortly.
Similarly, the sportsbook odds makers had the Pittsburgh Penguins listed as the favorite in their second-round series against the Washington Capitals despite not having home ice advantage in the series but so far it’s been the Capitals who have dominated.
The Penguins are back at home for Games 3 and 4 but they need to win both contests. They face an 0-2 deficit and a loss in either of the coming games would likely end their chances of repeating as Eastern Conference champions.
Part of the problem for the Penguins has been the disappearance of Evgeni Malkin, who has just two assists in the first two games after notching 11 points in the first six games of the playoffs.
Sticking in the East, the Boston Bruins-Carolina Hurricanes series has thrown sportsbook odds makers and sports bettors for a loop. At times, the Bruins physicality is too much for Carolina. Other times Carolina’s speed is too much for the Bruins.
The Bruins will need to get their power play going to jumpstart their offense. They are have failed to score in their last 14 opportunities after scoring four times on their first nine playoff power-play chances.
In the remaining series, the young Chicago Blackhawks are learning on the job as many of their players are lacking postseason experience. One lesson they are learning the hard way is that a hot goaltender can carry you all the way to the Cup.
Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo helped the Canucks win Game 3 and steal back home ice advantage and the Blackhawks are once again trailing in this best-of-seven series.
While the Blackhawks haven’t had trouble finding the back of the net in this series, sportsbook odds makers know that they look a little nervous when they get in control. Like their city mates, the Bulls, the Blackhawks are still learning how to win in the playoffs. If they can picku p that skill soon, they have the chance to pull the upset in this series but the general feel is that the Canucks are just one step ahead.
