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Game 1 Buffalo Sabres vs. Philadelphia Flyers NHL Picks | Preview

Its NHL playoff betting time once again. The Buffalo Sabres vs. Philadelphia Flyers is on tap tonight. Both will be trying to pick up a win with the line opening with Philadelphia as a -160 favorite in this matchup. The over/under is set at 5.5, here is the handicapping preview…

2011 NHL Hockey Free Predictions: Sabres vs Flyers

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NHL Playoff Betting – Buffalo vs Philadelphia Game 1 Preview & Pick
Date: Thursday, April 14, 2011
Venue: Wells Fargo Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Broadcast: TSN, Versus
Buffalo Sabres at Philadelphia Flyers Betting Lines from Bookmaker
Money Line: Sabres +140, Flyers -160
Spread: Flyers -1.5
Over/Under: 5.5
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After a largely successful season that saw them finish second in the Eastern Conference, the Flyers would be expected to stride confidently into the playoffs, ready to go one step further than their deep Stanley Cup Final run of a year ago. They’re supposed to win it all, right?

But the strange thing is that the Flyers don’t have that bounce in their step right now. If anything, they’re limping into their playoff opener at home to Buffalo feeling more like an underdog. The Sabres finished their season on a four-game winning streak and have won five of their last seven against Philly. The Flyers ended their regular season losing five of their final six games.

Whether or not they got complacent or if this late-season incarnation of the Flyers is the real thing, Philadelphia fans and bettors have to be a bit concerned. They’re facing a Buffalo team that got really hot offensively down the stretch. Thomas Vanek scored six points over his last two games to cap off a great comeback season, Drew Stafford broke out as a 30-goal man and Brad Boyes arrived at the trade deadline to provide secondary scoring.

It’s particularly relevant to note Buffalo’s offensive turnaround because, defensively, the Flyers could be ripe for the picking. Chris Pronger (broken hand), the team’s workhorse, doesn’t look like he’ll be ready for Game 1. That leaves a massive, 30-minutes-a-night hole to fill. Also, rookie goalie Sergei Bobrovsky was named Philly’s starter for the playoffs despite being pulled in his last start. He isn’t playing with much confidence now.

You know who is? Sabres goalie Ryan Miller. The 2010 Vezina Trophy winner returned to form in the second half of the season. He’s reportedly over his collarbone injury and ready to give opposing shooters fits. When Miller is hot, he’s as good as anyone. He’ll also have good support on the back end now that Tyler Myers really turned around his game in the second half.

See a theme here? It seems every Sabre is peaking in time for the playoffs. This team is playing with high confidence and low expectations. The Flyers, meanwhile, are under major pressure for a deep playoff run. Guys like Claude Giroux, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards should eventually make their mark in this series but I think the whole Flyer team will come out nervous in Game 1. Look for Buffalo to stymie the Flyers on the road.

Sabres vs Flyers prediction: Sabres 3, Flyers 1

Money Line: Sabres +140
Spread: Sabres +1.5
Over/Under: UNDER 5.5

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By Shea Matthews

Shea Matthews the Senior Writer at CP. Lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national papers. Shea applies his knowledge to sports betting + handicapping daily, and shares winning picks with the world.