Devils and Flyers Offer Drama as NHL Playoffs get under way

The opening round of the NHL playoffs offers a mix of potential sweeps and titanic tussles across the two conferences.

Versus could be missing a classic
The battle between New Jersey (-278) and Philadelphia (+190) is the only match-up in the Conference Quarter Finals that will see none of its games broadcast nationally in the US. The decision to not show any games from the Devils vs. Flyers series is one that could come back and bite Versus in the face. From a business perspective it’s sound judgment as the three other opening round clashes in the Eastern Conference. In the process however the network may miss one of the most compelling battles in the whole of the playoffs.

New Jersey has been the model of consistency all year long, second only to a phenomenal Washington team in the East. The Devils are far from attractive to watch but with Martin Brodeur picking up his 600th win this season, New Jersey is primed for a big playoff push. Standing in their way however are the Flyers, who owned the season series 5-1 over New Jersey. The Devils will surely have rather faced the #6 seed Bruins or #8 seed Canadiens but such was the way the final standings fell. This will go six or seven games and Philadelphia will beat the NHL betting odds and win.

Blackhawks and Capitals have easiest paths
Chicago (-500) is a hot favorite to push past the Predators (+300) in the Western Conference opening round and it’s easy to see why. The Blackhawks controlled the season series with Nashville, showing particularly good form in the later games to take the psychological edge. That mental advantage will only be made stronger by Chicago’s run to the Conference Finals last season. As a play-off hardened team the Blackhawks should push past the Predators in four or five games.

The Washington Capitals (-909) should have an even smoother path through to the second round. Alexander Ovechkin and his friends will make light work of a Montreal (+455) team that stumbled down the stretch. I can’t see a scenario where the Canadiens win even one game in this series, back the Capitals to win big.

Mixed fortunes for 2009 Stanley Cup finalists
Pittsburgh and Detroit find themselves on opposite sides of tough #4 vs. #5 seed clashes. In the East, Pittsburgh (-312) should have enough to get past Ottawa (+210) in five or six games. The Red Wings (-250) face a much different prospect against (+175) Phoenix. The Coyotes possess a team hungry to make an impact in the playoffs and an aging Red Wings team, albeit one packed with experience, would make the perfect scalp. This one could go the full seven games but I expect Phoenix to win.

For the best NHL lines as the playoffs get under way check out Sports Interaction’s online sports book.