All lines from DraftKings Sportsbook.
Monty has a 16-17 playoff record while Jets bench boss Scott Arniel coaches his first poff game tonight.
This should be a better battle than some expect.
This will be the third series in the last six seasons between this pair of annual contenders.
In last years Second Round, Dallas handled the Avs in six games.
But things are significantly different this time around.
Oh and the Stars lost their last seven games of the season.
(Unfortunately, were going to lose a bona fide contender in the First Round yet again.
The drumbeat for 1-8 playoff seedings is getting louder but Gary doesnt seem too concerned.
And if Gary dont want it, Gary dont do it.
The league really should go back to the brief period in the early 80s when it was 1-16.
Think about itwhy should geography/divisions be a barrier to some potentially great SCFs?
Do it, Gary.)
The Avalanche are going to be just that heading into Dallass zonean avalanche of offense.
Too much Nate, too much Cale.AVALANCHE IN FIVE.
Also gotta root for my guy, JV.
But Akira Schimd isnt walking through that door, folks.
Vitek Vanecek isnt walking through that door.
You know who is though?
Hes certainly capable of outplaying either/any Carolina goalie.
Because he definitely can be the backbone to an upset here.
But he will have his hands full containing Carolinas full coterie of offensive weapons.
Oh, and they just added dynamic Russian prospect Alexander Nikishin.
I feel terrible for Jack Hughes.
Sucks to see young superstars miss out on these legend-making games, especially a good guy like him.
And ultimately, his loss proves to be too much.HURRICANES IN SIX.
WAGER: NJD to win Game 1 by shutout 8/1 for a c-note.
The Leafs continue to venture to get over the perennial play-off hump of getting to even a Conference Final.
Strong in net, lots of high-end offense, very solid veteran D corps.
The Sens just got over their perennial play-off hump by reaching them.
But theyre not just happy to be here.
Tons of hockey fans having been waiting to see Jimmy Stu and Lil Big Walt on the playoff stage.
And the Sens have no shortage of firepower either.
But I dont see it.
WAGER: Game 1 over 5.5 for a FDR.
Vegas is in its eight season of existence and has now made the playoffs in seven of them.
They havent made the Second Round in 10 years.
Theyre kinda like the Nordic Senators.
Is this the year that Billy G.s charges finally make some playoff noise?
They sure do have their work cut out for themselves.
Mark Stone still produces at a PPG pace despite approaching 33 with a laundry list of injuries.
Not to mention 30-goal guys Tomas Hertl and Pavel Dorofeyev as well as plenty of depth.
But Minny may have an X-factor on the blue line with budding superstar Brock Faber and newly-signed Zeev Buium.
The skill between the pair could throw a wrinkle into VGKs plans.
But I think Vegas just has too much oomph for Minny.GOLDEN KNIGHTS IN SIX.
The Habs have essentially been playing playoff hockey for several weeks.
But the Jets didnt have a traveling media circus accompanying a record-breaking chase like the Caps did.
And I wonder if the daily distraction might have sapped even just a dollop of energy from them.
Spencer Carbery will have his guys prepared but I wonder if there are any concerns in net.
After a Cinderella regular season last year, his play dipped a bit this year.
And granted there werent many (any?)
But Montreal also holds the Wild Card in this seriesrookie phenom defenseman Lane Hutson.
This kid is a game-changer and has to be considered the favorite for the Calder Trophy.
Yeah, and there’s Ivan Demidov as well.
The Oilers are coming off a very long season.
They’re missing their top shutdown D-man.
Their all-universe superstars are both dinged up as well as a handful of other players.
And their goaltending doesn’t exactly have fans teeming with overconfidence, particularly when compared to LA’s.
The Oilers scored nine more goals than the Kings but gave up 30 more than LA did.
This is a well-balanced forward group and a very solid D-corps.
Despite Leon’s insane year, the Oilers just don’t look as scary as they did last year.
And I don’t see Skinner or Pickard outplaying a locked-in Kuemper.KINGS IN FIVE.
Barkov, Reinhart, Verswaggy, Bennett, and Marchand will all be game soldiers once the puck drops.
Kucherov (37 goals).
Point (42).
Guentzel (41).
Cirelli (27).
Paul (22).
Hagel (35).
Hedman still playing at an elite level.
