In the West we have 2 underdog winners facing each other, St. Louis vs Nashville and 2 favorites Edmonton vs Anaheim. The East is the same with NYR vs Ottawa being the dogs in round 1 and the favorites were Pittsburgh vs Washington.
Nashville vs St. Louis
Series:
- Preds: -125
- Blues: +105
Game 1:
- Preds: +100
- Blues: -120
- Total: 5 U-120
Both goalies were simply outstanding in round one. Might we see a 4 1/2 total in this series? Interesting the Preds are favorites in the series but dogs in game 1.
The Preds took out the Black Hawks in 4 games which no one thought possible. Look for a tight checking low scoring series. Seeing how the Blues hung on for dear life last game in Minnesota. Nashville in 6.
Edmonton vs Anaheim
Series:
- Oilers: +115
- Ducks: -135
Game 1:
- Oilers: +110
- Ducks: -130
- Total: 5 -110
The Ducks have not lost in regulation time in 18 straight games going back to the regular season. No team was hotter heading into the playoffs and they were the only team in the West to sweep their opponent. The Oilers seem to finally have a solid team and solid goal-tending who took out the defending Cup finalists in 6 games.
The Ducks will win but it won't be a sweep. Anaheim in 7.
New York vs Ottawa
Series:
- Rangers: -145
- Senators: +125
Game 1:
- Rangers: -115
- Senators: -105
- Total: 5 U-125
Another 2 upset winners match-up. The battle of the Swedes. Erik Karlsson was simply unbelievable against Boston. The whole team played together with clutch goals from Bobby Ryan and solid goal-tending from Anderson. The NYR's Henrik Lundquist stepped it up big time against the Habs after a less than King Henrik regular season.
This is a tough series to pick a winner but I will take the dog here. Ottawa in 7.
Pittsburgh vs Washington
Series:
- Pens: +105
- Caps: -125
Game 1:
- Pens: +115
- Caps: -135
- Total: 5 1/2 -110
Rematch of last year with the winner going all the way to the finals and winning the Cup. Crosby vs Ovechkin. Hard to pick a winner here with any kind of confidence, but based on how the Pens took care of Columbus and how the Caps had to go to 5 OT games with the Leafs, I will take the Pens here. Pittsburgh in 7.
* posted odds from Bookmaker.eu 12:00 pm et April 24, 2017