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Stanley Cup Playoff Preview - Hockey Betting

Moay, April 22, 2024

Unlike other sports the NHL standings are tightly packed and as a result the odds of an underdog hoisting Lord Stanley?s chalice at the completion of the grueling playoffs are high. They didn?t win the Cup last year but the Florida Panthers used their run to the Stanley Cup Final as a stepping stone this year. Qualifying for the playoffs on the final day of the season the Panthers were huge underdogs against the record-setting Boston Bruins in the opening round. Florida also had the longest odds to win the Eastern Conference and the Cup. They knocked off the Bruins and eventually reached the championship series before bowing to the Vegas Golden Knights.

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The New York Rangers won the President?s Trophy this season finishing with 114 points. They look to reverse the curse since the last team to finish with the most points to win the Stanley Cup was Chicago over a decade ago. History is on New York?s side, though, since they captured both in the 1993-94 campaign. What makes the Stanley Cup Playoffs so intense is the slim margin between the teams. Five teams in each conference posted more than 100 points and the second wild card in each conference surpassed 90 points. The Rangers are a trendy pick given their popularity and location, but the team with the highest point total hasn?t advanced past the second round since 2015.

NHL futures odds tell us just how competitive the postseason is expected to be. Edmonton is the current favorite with Carolina and Florida not far behind on the futures board. Six teams boast shorter than 8/1 odds with six other clubs with odds between 10/1 and 20/1. Nashville and Los Angeles are around 30/1 while the Islanders and Washington have the longest odds at around 60/1.

The 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin on Saturday, April 17. Betting options for every game and series as well as futures and props are available at BookMaker.eu.

Get the latest NHL Betting odds at https://t.co/Dt74mHPu3A. While you?re there don?t forget to check out the rest of the NHL, other hockey betting odds and many other betting options available only at https://t.co/Dt74mHPu3A? Where the line originates! pic.twitter.com/3rZXuJvGyh
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NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Preview

The Boston Bruins have been looking forward to this chance for 12 months. Unceremoniously eliminated by Florida in a major first round upset last year, the Bruins should be motivated for a better result and have depth up and down the roster to get the job done. The goaltending duo of Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark produced a .915 save percentage and allowed the sixth-fewest goals. David Pastrnak scored 47 goals and 110 points leading an offense that finished in the middle of the pack. The Bruins will have to win on defense and they have the horses.

They topped the NHL with 114 points and opened with the fifth-best Stanley Cup odds, but the Rangers have pieces in place for a run at the Cup. They finished seventh in both goals and goals against with five players scoring at least 25 goals. Artemi Panarin made a case for the Hart Trophy scoring 49 goals and 120 points, and the Rangers were money on special teams with the third best power play and penalty killing units.

Instead of being the hunter the Panthers are the hunted this postseason winning the Atlantic Division with 110 points. They have many of the same players back from last season?s run to the Cup final and boasted the best goal differential in the NHL at plus-68. Sergei Bobrovsky was solid in net and Sam Reinhart had a breakout season with 52 goals.

This could be the season for the Carolina Hurricanes, who reached the playoffs in a sixth straight season with two conference final losses in the previous five. The addition of Jake Guentzel bolstered a solid forward group and the Canes were great on special teams with the best penalty kill and second-best power play.

The Western Conference boasts plenty of talented teams with each capable of making a run to the Cup. Behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl the Edmonton Oilers can score, they can also play a grinder game allowing the fifth fewest goals since an early season coaching change. They?ll have to get past the Los Angeles Kings in the first round with the teams meeting for a third straight season. LA also made an in-season coaching change becoming one of the more stingy defensive clubs under Jim Hiller. And they have a deep forward group with key players coming back from injury. I like the Kings if they can get past the Oilers.

Don?t count out Vegas, which made a huge splash at the deadline. If players like Noah Hanifin and Tomas Hertl make a seamless transition, the Golden Knights are back in the mix. I do like the top teams from the Central Division in the Dallas Starts and Winnipeg Jets. Depth plays a role in the playoffs and the Stars have it. Eight players scored at least 20 goals and Jake Oettinger is solid, though at times inconsistent, in net.

Stanley Cup Final Prediction: Dallas over Carolina

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NHL Parlay Picks for Thursday, April 18, 2024

Moay, April 15, 2024

Thursday night marks the end of the NHL regular season, which includes two ESPN telecasts. Those two matchups will be the focus of our Thursday night parlay. The Minnesota Wild will host the Seattle Kraken at 7 p.m. ET. Both teams are out of the playoffs and will hit the golf links after the game. And then, the Colorado Avalanche will host the Edmonton Oilers at 9:30 p.m. ET. The Avs and Oil could be a Western Conference playoff preview. Colorado and Edmonton are two of the favorites in the West.

Let?s look at NHL parlays for Thursday, April 18, 2024.

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NHL Parlay Picks for Thursday, April 18, 2024

Minnesota Wild ML

Seattle Kraken at Minnesota Wild Under the Total

Colorado Avalanche ML

Edmonton Oilers at Colorado Avalanche Under the Total

$100 to win $1200

Seattle Kraken at Minnesota Wild

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The Seattle Kraken took a step back this year after advancing to the second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs in the Western Conference. The Kraken have lost five of their most recent eight games. Seattle went under the total in five of their last six outings. Seattle was done in by its lack of offensive punch. The Kraken ranks 29th in the NHL for goal scoring which offsets a ranking of 8th for goals against.

After a 5-10-4 start, Minnesota fired head coach Dean Evason. John Hynes replaced Evason and had a much better mark of 33-23-5. But Hynes arrived too late to get the Wild into the playoffs. Minnesota will finish with a winning record but was never fully able to dig out of its ditch. Minnesota ranks a mediocre 21st for goal scoring and 21st for goals against.

Minnesota has dominated this series with six payouts in its last seven games against Seattle. Only one of the last five meetings between these teams went over the total.

Edmonton Oilers at Colorado Avalanche

The Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche are two of the most skilled teams in hockey. Two years ago, they met in the Western Conference Final. That season, Colorado swept the Oilers en route to a Stanley Cup championship. Since winning the championship, Colorado lost goaltender Darcy Kuemper and has failed to fill the void. But Colorado is the best offensive team in the NHL and that helps cover for its weakness between the pipes.

Late on, Edmonton has covered three out of their last seven games. In comparison, the Oilers have gone over the total in one of its previous seven matchups. Edmonton has NHL rankings of 4th for goals scored and 3rd for power play efficiency. In comparison on defense, the Oilers have NHL rankings of 9th for goals against and 15th for penalty killing.

Late on, Colorado has covered three out of their last nine games. While the Avs have gone under the total in one of their previous six matchups. Colorado has NHL rankings of 1st for goals scored and 5th for power play efficiency. In comparison on defense, the Avalanche have NHL rankings of 16th for goals against and 12th for penalty killing.

To summarize, Colorado got the cash in ten of its last 13 games with Edmonton. Five of the last eight games between the Avalanche and Oilers went under the total. Specifically at Colorado, the Avalanche paid in six of their last seven games against the Oilers. Four of the last six meetings between the Oilers and Avalanche at Colorado went under the total. As mentioned earlier, Colorado dominates this series. The Avalanche will get a rare home discount because of Edmonton?s ability.

NHL Schedule for Thursday, April 18, 2024

Seattle at Minnesota, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN

Vancouver at Winnipeg, 8 p.m. ET

San Jose at Calgary, 9 p.m. ET

Edmonton at Colorado, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Anaheim at Vegas, 10 p.m. ET

Chicago at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m. ET

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2024 NCAA Hockey Frozen Four Betting Odds

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

The 2024 NCAA Men?s Hockey Tournament has come down to its Frozen Four. Semifinal games will be played on Thursday, April 11, with the championship game scheduled for Saturday, April 13. Four of the most storied programs in the sport will compete for the national championship. In Thursday's semifinal action, the Boston University Terriers will face the Denver Pioneers, and the Boston College Eagles will take on the Michigan Wolverines. ESPN2 will televise all of the action.

Now, let?s look at Thursday night?s Frozen Four matchups.

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Frozen Four Games for Thursday, April 11, 2024

No. 1 Boston U -160 vs No. 3 Denver +124, OU 7, 5:00 p.m. on ESPN2

The Boston University Terriers are making their 24th Frozen Four appearance and second in a row. Boston U has five national championships with its last one in 2009. So far in the NCAA Tournament, the Terriers beat RIT 6-3 in the first round and then routed Minnesota 6-3 in the second round.

Boston U has a record of 28-9-2 with a goal differential of 162-95. Freshman F Macklin Celebrini leads the Terriers with 32 goals, 32 assists, 64 points, and a +25. Junior G Mathieu Caron has a record of 28-9-2 with a 2.37 goals against average and a .915 save percentage.

The Denver Pioneers have 19 Frozen Four appearances and nine national championships. Their last national title was in 2022. In the 2024 NCAA Tournament, the Pioneers beat Massachusetts 2-1 and Cornell 2-1.

Denver has a record of 30-9-3 with a goal differential of 198-119. Junior F Jack Devine leads the Pioneers with 27 goals, 29 assists, 56 points, and a +29. Junior G Matt Davis has a 2.48 goals against average and a .911 save percentage with a record of 21-5-3.

No. 1 Boston College -166 vs. Michigan +130, OU 7, 8:30 p.m. on ESPN2

The Boston College Eagles have 26 Frozen Four appearances and have five national championships. BC last won the national championship in 2012. So far in the NCAA Tournament, Boston College beat Michigan Tech 6-1 and then got past Quinnipiac 5-4.

Boston College has a record of 31-5-1. Head coach Greg Brown has been on the job since 2022. After a 14-16-6 season last year, Brown has flipped the script and produced one of the best teams in the country. Boston College is riding a 12-game winning streak. BC has a 179-87 goal differential this year.

Freshman F Will Smith leads the Eagles with 23 goals, 46 assists, and 69 points with a +23. Sophomore F Cutter Gauthier has 37 goals, 27 assists, and 64 points with a +22. Freshman F Ryan Leonard adds 31 goals, 28 assists, and 59 points with a +34. Senior D Eamon Powell has five goals, 33 assists, 38 points and a +20. Freshman G Jacob Fowler has a .924 save percentage and a 2.20 goals-against average with a record of 31-5-1.

The Michigan Wolverines have 28 Frozen Four appearances and nine national championships. Their last national title was in 1998. So far in the NCAA Tournament, Michigan beat North Dakota 4-3 and then took out Michigan State 5-2.

Michigan has a record of 23-14-3 with a goal differential of 169-121. Second-year head coach Brandon Naurato has built on his record of 26-12-3 last year, which ended in the Frozen Four.

Sophomore F Gavin Brindley leads Michigan with 25 goals, 28 assists, 53 points and a +19. Sophomore D Seamus Casey adds seven goals, 38 assists, 45 points, and a +6. Graduate G Jake Barczewski has a record of 20-13-3 with a 2.81 goals against average and a .909 save percentage.

Saturday Semifinal Bookmaker Best Bets: Boston University and Boston College

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2023 NCAA Hockey Frozen Four Betting Odds

Moay, April 3, 2023

The Frozen Four is set for Thursday, April 6 with Minnesota favored against Boston University and Michigan favored against Quinnipiac. The Gophers are the No. 1 seed and feature a potent offense led by their top line of Logan Cooley, Jimmy Snuggerud, and Matthew Knies. The No. 2 seed is Quinnipiac but they are actually listed as the underdog in college hockey odds against the No. 3 seeded Michigan Wolverines. The No. 5 seed is the Boston University Terriers who feature Lane Hutson, who led the nation in defensemen scoring. Let?s look at Frozen Four picks.

NCAA Hockey Frozen Four Betting Odds

2023 Frozen Four

Site: Amalie Arena, Tampa Florida

Teams: Minnesota Golden Gophers, Quinnipiac Bobcats, Michigan Wolverines, Boston University Terriers

TV: ESPN 2

Thursday, April 6

No. 1 Minnesota Gophers (28-9-1) vs. No. 5 Boston University Terriers (29-10-0), 5 p.m.

Minnesota -215, total 6.5 under

No. 2 Quinnipiac Bobcats (32-4-3) vs. No. 3 Michigan Wolverines (26-11-3), 8:30 p.m.

Michigan -165, total 6 over

Saturday, April 8

Championship Game, 8:00 p.m.

Frozen Four Picks

Minnesota vs. Boston University

The Gophers are the top seed and without question the best team in this year?s Frozen Four. That does not, however, mean they will win the title. The top seed does not always win, but this year?s Minnesota team is loaded with talent. The captain of the Gophers is Brock Faber and he remembers very well what happened last year, as the team lost in the Frozen Four against Minnesota State Mankato. "It was an unfortunate ending last year and something we learned from, something you go to bed thinking about," said Faber to the media. Faber could have chosen to sign with his hometown Minnesota Wild, but he came back to school for a chance to win the title.

Minnesota has a team that features 14 NHL Draft picks. Their top scorer is Logan Cooley who was drafted third overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. He is fourth in the country in scoring with 19 goals and 33 assists. Right beside him are Matthew Knies and Jimmy Snuggerud. Without question it is the best line in college hockey. Minnesota also has excellent depth with Jaxon Nelson, Bryce Brodzinski and Rhett Pitlick. Behind Faber on defense they feature Jackson LaCombe and Mike Koster and Justen Close is excellent in goal. Minnesota is tied with Michigan at 4.2 goals per game, best in the country and they allowed just 2.2 goals per contest. This will be the 21st appearance in the Frozen Four for Minnesota and they will be looking for their sixth national title.

The Terriers feature Lane Hutson and he is backed up by Dom Fensore, Ty Gallagher, and Cade Webber. Boston doesn?t feature as much scoring from their forwards, as they have four lines led by Matt Brown, Ryan Greene, Wilmer Skoog, Jay O'Brien and Quinn Hutson. In net, Drew Commesso is playing very well of late. Boston scored 3.9 goals per game and allowed 2.6 per contest. Boston is playing in their 21st Final Four in history and looking for their sixth national title.

Frozen Four Pick: Minnesota

Quinnipiac vs. Michigan

The second semifinal looks like a toss-up to me. Quinnipiac has Collin Graf, one of the nation's top freshmen and he is joined by Ethan De Jong, Samuel Lipkin and Jacob Quillan. Zach Metsa leads the defense with Jayden Lee and TJ Friedmann. Yaniv Perets is one of the top goaltenders in the country. Quinnipiac will be playing in their third Frozen Four and looking for their first national title.

Michigan is loaded on offense led by Hobey favorite Adam Fantilli, who leads the nation in scoring. He is joined by Rutger McGroarty, Mackie Samoskevich and Gavin Brindley. The defense is led by Luke Hughes and he is joined by Jacob Truscott and Seamus Casey. There are some question marks in goal, as Erik Portillo has been inconsistent. This will be the 27th Frozen Four appearance for Michigan and they are looking for their 10th national title.

Frozen Four Pick: Over 6

National Title Game Pick: Minnesota

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