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NHL Eastern Conference Playoff Odds/Picks

The 2009 NHL playoffs puck is about to drop for the NHL’s second season. Get in on the action with our Eastern conference picks, odds, predictions and matchup previews…

NHL Betting – Eastern Conference Playoffs Series Capsules

We had to wait for the final Sunday on the final day of the 2009 NHL season, but we now know all of the playoff matchups for both the Western Conference (Preview tomorrow) and the Eastern Conference. Below we pick the NHL winners! The NHL’s second season begins this week!

No. 1 Boston Bruins vs No. 8 Montreal Canadiens

NHL odds on the series: Bruins -380

The Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens are doing a little bit of role-reversal from last year’s first-round NHL playoff meeting. This time, the Bruins are the top seed in the Eastern Conference while the Canadiens are in the eighth and final playoff spot.

The Boston Bruins haven’t won a playoff series since 1999 but there are a number of good reasons why that will change. The Bruins have won eight of their last 10 games, they won the season series with Montreal (5-0-1) and were 29-6-6 at home this season.

But there are a couple of caveats for the Bruins. The Canadiens, as much as they struggled against Boston this season, have won 24 of their 31 playoff series with the Bruins. Also, the Bruins have some injury concerns as Zdeno Chara, Andrew Ference, Patrice Bergeron and P.J. Axelsson all missed at least the last two games of the season with varying injuries.

The Bruins are hot right now and this will be their series to lose.

Pick: Bruins -380

No. 2 Washington Capitals vs No. 7 New York Rangers

NHL odds on the series: Capitals -300

Offense meets defense in this series as the Washington Capitals are favored to move past the New York Rangers in the first round of the playoffs.

The Rangers will do their best to smother Alexander Ovechkin but the Capitals do have some balance. If the Rangers hope to have any chance of advancing, they’ll have to minimize Ovechkin’s impact as much as possible.

There are two X-factors – one for each team – that will decide this series. The Rangers, who will have to steal at least one game away from home, were a porous road team this season. They won just four of their final 19 road games, which is not an encouraging sign. On the flip side, the main question for the Capitals will be the play of goaltender Jose Theodore. He has taken over the No. 1 role but most pundits aren’t certain that he can carry them through the playoffs.

Pick: Capitals -300

No. 3 New Jersey Devils vs No. 6 Carolina Hurricanes

NHL odds on the series: Devils -135

One of the most intriguing – and probably least watched – first round matchups will be the New Jersey Devils and Carolina Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes won the season series, going 3-0 against the Devils in games which goalie Cam Ward started. More importantly, because of the Devils’ late season struggles they will face a hot team like Carolina instead of a feebler opponent like the New York Rangers.

The Devils dropped in the standings due to just four wins in their last 11 games. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have been scorching hot. Prior to two losses in their final two games, the Hurricanes had reeled off nine straight wins and were 29-7-2 since January 29th.

The key for the Devils will be goal scoring, as it usually is. And, as it usually is, they won’t get enough in the playoffs.

Pick : Hurricanes +115

No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers

NHL odds on the series: Penguins -165

The Pittsburgh Penguins pantsed the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference Final a season ago and it looks like the Flyers might be in for another quick series again.

Philly will be looking for revenge but they might not have the answers as Pittsburgh’s trio of centers, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal are too much to handle.

The biggest difference in this series will be how both teams are playing heading into the playoffs. The Penguins are as hot as it gets as they are 18-3-4 in their last 25 games. Meanwhile, the Flyers are a mediocre 3-4-1 in their last eight games.

The Flyers lost last year’s series in five games and, without home-ice advantage; they don’t have much of a chance to extend the series longer.

Pick : Penguins -165

2009 Western Conference Playoff Preview (Round 1 Picks) >>>

Planning On Betting On The 2009 NHL Playoffs? The Best NHL Hockey Odds & Stanley Cup Future Lines Can Be Found At BetOnline.com Sportsbook!!!

By Cappers Picks

Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"

One reply on “NHL Eastern Conference Playoff Odds/Picks”

Boston, New Jersey, and Pittsburgh all looked pretty strong in game one of their first round playoff series outscoring their opponents by a combined 12-4 margin, completely shutting them down.

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