The NHL playoffs used to be much more popular than they are now. Usually the league relies on hotly contested series' to keep interest up. So far this year, most first round series' are going according to seed.

Gamblers have a difficult time every year trying to figure out which teams will pull off first round upsets. Not this year. The heavy favorites are winning, and winning big.

The top seeds in each conference, Montreal and Detroit, both appear to be in control of their series'. Detroit lost a game to Nashville, but has looked in control throughout so far. The Montreal Canadiens are up 3-1 on Boston, and could wrap up the series on Thursday.

The second seed in the East, the Penguins, have a three games to none lead over Ottawa. Pittsburgh is lead by young superstar Sidney Crosby. In the West, the two seed is having difficulty. San Jose is actually trailing in their series with Calgary, two games to one.

The middle seeds in both conferences are both tightly contested. The Rangers jumped to a two to nothing series lead over the Devils, but New Jersey has battled back. The series stands at two to one. Washington and Philadelphia are also in a tight series.

Gamblers will have to try and make their money now. The playoffs get tougher in the second round, and sports books will most certainly catch on to which teams are hot.

April 17, 2008
Posted By Vincent Tapoglia III
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com