NHL first-round series offer options worth betting
After 27 grueling weeks of regular-season action, it’s time for fire on ice. The Stanley Cup playoffs will crank up the heat on NHL betting action over the next two months.
The past four championships were won by two teams, with the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings alternating titles. The Blackhawks are the defending champs.
The puck drops Wednesday, and here are some of the top storylines for the first round:
• Rematches galore: There are four series matchups that took place during the 2014 or 2015 postseasons — Tampa Bay-Detroit, Chicago-St. Louis, San Jose-Los Angeles and Pittsburgh-New York Rangers.
• Youth gone wild: Three of the top rookies in the NHL are competing in their first postseason — Detroit forward Dylan Larkin, Philadelphia defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere and Chicago winger Artemi Panarin, who led all rookies in points with 76 during the regular season.
• The ageless wonder: Florida Panthers forward Jaromir Jagr, 44, will play in the 18th postseason of his illustrious 25-year career. His next goal or assist will give him 200 career points in the postseason, good for fifth all time.
• First aid: Some big-name talent will be absent from at least the opening rounds of the playoffs, including Lightning star Steven Stamkos (blood clot in shoulder), Penguins winger Evgeni Malkin (lower body), Minnesota scorer Zach Parise (undisclosed) and Islanders goaltender Jaroslav Halak (groin).
Western Conference notes
(Best-of-7 series prices listed)
Dallas Stars (minus-250) vs. Minnesota Wild
2015-16 head-to-head series: Stars 4-1 straight up, 3-2 Over/Under.
The road team has won six of the past nine meetings. … The favorite has won five of the past eight. … The over is 6-2 in the past eight. … The Stars are 13-5 in the past 18 games overall. … The Wild are 2-5 in the past seven playoff games, including their current five-game losing streak.
St. Louis Blues (minus-120) vs. Chicago Blackhawks
2015-16 head-to-head series: Blues 3-2 SU, 2-1-2 O/U.
The road team has won five of the past seven meetings. … The underdog has won four of the past six. … The Blackhawks are 3-10 in Game 1 of playoff series since 2011. … The Blues are 14-4 in the past 18 games overall.
Anaheim Ducks (minus-160) vs. Nashville Predators
2015-16 head-to-head series: Predators 2-1 SU, 2-0-1 O/U.
The over is 9-0-1 in the past 10 meetings. … The Ducks are 7-3 in the past 10 meetings. … The Ducks rank No. 1 in the NHL in power-play percentage and penalty kill percentage. … The Predators are 7-9 in the past 16 playoff games.
Los Angeles Kings (minus-150) vs. San Jose Sharks
2015-16 head-to-head series: Sharks 3-2 SU, 3-0-2 O/U.
The road team is 7-4 in the past 11 meetings. … The over is 4-2-1 in the past seven. … The Kings are 4-7 in the past 11 games overall. … The Sharks are 10-3 in their past 13 road games.
Eastern Conference notes
Washington Capitals (minus-260) vs. Philadelphia Flyers
2015-16 head-to-head series: Tied 2-2 SU, 1-1-2 O/U.
The home team has won six of the past nine meetings. … The Flyers are 6-3 in the past nine games as a favorite. … The Capitals have lost 12 of their past 17 road playoff games.
Tampa Bay Lightning (minus-155) vs. Detroit Red Wings
2015-16 head-to-head series: Tied 2-2, 1-3 O/U.
The home team has won 10 of the past 14 meetings. … The Lightning beat the Red Wings in the first round last year in seven games. … The Red Wings are 5-13 in their past 18 road games.
Florida Panthers (minus-155) vs. New York Islanders
2015-16 head-to-head series: Panthers 2-1 SU, 1-0-2 O/U.
The home team has won six of the past 10 meetings. … The over is 8-0-2 in the past 10. … The Panthers are 18-8 in their past 26 home games. … The Islanders are 7-4 in their past 11 games overall.
Pittsburgh Penguins (minus-170) vs. New York Rangers
2015-16 head-to-head series: Penguins 3-1 SU, 1-1-2 O/U.
The road team has won seven of the past 10 meetings. … The under is 5-2-2 in the past nine. … The Rangers are 7-4 SU and 6-0-5 O/U in their past 11 games. … The Penguins have lost six of the past 10 meetings against the Rangers. … The Penguins are 16-4 in their past 20 games overall.
Alex B. Smith is a hockey handicapper for Axsmithsports.com and Sportsmemo.com.
