NHL Betting – Western Conference Playoffs Series Capsules
After yesterday’s Eastern Conference preview, we switch gears to the NHL’s Western Conference, which boasted four teams with 100 or more points. Here’s a look at who NHL odds are favoring in the first round of the playoffs, plus below we pick the NHL winners!!
No.1 San Jose Sharks vs. No.8 Anaheim Ducks
NHL odds on this series: Sharks -280
The Sharks finished the season with the most points in the league, but anything less than a conference-final appearance and the season has been a waste. San Jose was tied for seventh in goals scored and third in goals allowed, However, star Joe Thornton struggled against the Ducks this season, notching only three points in six meetings.
The Ducks won seven of their last 10 heading into the playoffs, and has there been a more dangerous No.8 seed in recent years? All eyes will be on goalie Jonas Hiller, who is getting his first taste of playoff action. The Sharks took four of six from the Ducks this year.
The Ducks’ Stanley Cup experience will push this to the wire, but the Sharks’ edge in goal gives them the series.
Pick: Sharks -280
No.2 Detroit Red Wings vs. No.7 Columbus Blue Jackets
NHL odds on this series: Red Wings -550
The Red Wings have the league’s best power play and, as long as Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg are in town, Detroit will be a legit Cup contender. However, an injured Marian Hossa and a shaky Chris Osgood is worrying to the defending champions.
The Blue Jackets are making their first playoff appearance in franchise history, thanks to Rick Nash leading the offense, and the heroics of rookie netminder Steve Mason. The Blue Jackets played the Red Wings tough this season as well, splitting six meetings, including an 8-2 thrashing of the Red Wings in Detroit.
The Red Wings will remember that game well, and the Blue Jackets don’t have the depth to hang with the champs. Mason could steal a game, however.
Pick: Detroit -550
No.3 Vancouver vs. No.6 St. Louis Blues
NHL odds on this series: Canucks -230
The Canucks still don’t score a lot of goals, but they don’t need to with Roberto Luongo between the pipes. If the Sedin twins are held in check, however, Vancouver will struggle to score, period. Mats Sundin needs to prove his worth.
The Blues are back in the postseason after a five-year absence, and Brad Boyes followed a 43-goal campaign with 33 more, while David Backes had a career year. Chris Mason was brilliant over the last couple of months. The Blues also split four meetings with the Canucks this year.
Both teams have lit up the NHL since February, but on two teams with about the same talent level, you have to go with Luongo over Mason.
Pick: Vancouver -230
No.4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. No.5 Calgary Flames
NHL odds on this series: Blackhawks -155
The Blackhawks are making their second postseason appearance in12 years and first since the 2001-02 season. Chicago is young and insanely talented, and Nikolai Khabibulin was getting hot to end the season. The Blackhawks are also surprisingly good on defense, which allows their playmakers go forward. Chicago swept all four meetings with Calgary, and three of the games weren’t even close.
The Flames struggled mightily to end the season, and the Olli Jokinen-Jarome Iginla duo has gone cold. Miikka Kiprusoff has been incredibly inconsistent, and the defense is banged up as Dion Phaneuf, Cory Sarich and Robyn Regehr are all ailing.
The Flames were a Western Conference favorite; now they’ll be lucky to make it out of the first round. Chicago has too much speed for Calgary’s hurting defense, and that’ll be the difference.
Pick: Chicago -155
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One reply on “NHL Western Conference Playoff Odds/Predictions”
I like San Jose, Detroit, Vancouver, and Calgary in this first round. The Canucks and Flames series could go to six or even seven games, but the Sharks and Red Wings should wrap up their series in no more than five games.