Laying a small parlay on Nashville and Under 5.5
BOL gents
BOL gents
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I have no dog in this fight, I'd like to see Mr. Carrie Underwood win a ring though.Comment -
Ben ArledgeESPN.com
In 2014, Jeff Gold broke down what was essentially a free roll in our Stanley Cup Final betting guide. He suggested that the Los Angeles Kings were the more likely Cup winner that season, but that if the New York Rangers did win, it was almost guaranteed Blueshirts goaltender Henrik Lundqvist would win the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP (the Kings eventually won the Cup in five games). Well, this year's matchup brings a very similar situation.
The Pittsburgh Penguins (-150) entered the playoffs as one of the favorites to win it all, and that hasn't changed. Hopefully you were able to grab their 10-1 odds in mid-April, while the Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals still stood in their way, but if not, they are still a smart play here. They've picked up offensively where they left off in the regular season, scoring 3.05 goals per game for the league's top mark, and their Kris Letang-less defense has kept opponents to just 2.32 goals per game (fifth). In goal, Matt Murray and Marc-Andre Fleury each rank in the top eight in save percentage this postseason among the 19 goalies to start at least one game. Additionally, their special teams have both gotten the job done. Obviously, Pittsburgh is still here for good reason.
In the other locker room, the Nashville Predators (+130) rolled through the Western Conference after many (including myself) didn't see much of a chance they would even beat the Chicago Blackhawks in the opening round. Their 2.94 goals per game has been impressive, but arguably the most crucial element of their playoff run has been their defense (1.81 goals against per game) -- and more specifically, goaltender Pekka Rinne. In nearly 1,000 minutes this postseason, Rinne has a .941 save percentage, 1.70 goals-against average, and a pair of shutouts. He has stolen a few games for the Preds, and no offense in the West had any answer for him. Should the Predators finish their season with a championship, there is little doubt that Rinne will also hoist the Conn Smythe Trophy, as well. According to Sportsbook.ag, his MVP odds sit at +180, making him the current favorite.
If you agree that Rinne is extremely likely to win the Conn Smythe with a Predators series victory, then you can confidently make a pair of bets resulting in a near free roll. Betting $150 on the Penguins to win it all and $100 on Rinne to win the Conn Smythe Trophy positions you to at the very least break even, should either of these scenarios happen. If the Penguins do defend their title, you pocket $100, canceling the Rinne bet and breaking even. Should the Predators win and Rinne is named playoff MVP, you would win $180 -- giving you a small profit of $30 after considering the $150 Penguins bet. A third scenario would produce a winnings of $280: if the Penguins win the Cup, but Rinne plays so incredibly well that he is still named the Conn Smythe winner, both bets cash. Yes, that's very unlikely, but Anaheim Ducks goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere became the fifth Conn Smythe winner in a losing effort when his Ducks fell to the New Jersey Devils in 2003. It's not out of the question.
The final scenario is a Predators win in which Rinne does not claim the Conn Smythe, which would put you out $250. Filip Forsberg has eight goals and 15 points through his 16 playoff games this season, topping the Preds' leaderboard, and the trio of P.K. Subban, Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis have all compiled strong postseasons, but none of them really stand up to what Rinne has done for this team over the last month and a half. I truly believe that this is Rinne's award if the Preds win the Cup, so much so that if you want to bet the Predators to win the Cup, I would actually recommend betting Rinne to win the Conn Smythe instead to get better odds. I do think the Predators win a tight series, but the smart bets here are taking the Penguins and Rinne.
ESPN Chalk Best Bet: Penguins (-150), Pekka Rinne (+180)Comment -
Dog and Under I hope JibsComment -
Suuuubbbbbannnn what's goodComment -
If they take this back I'm turning the game offComment -
Subban
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What a joke penetrate this gameComment -
Good callComment -
live youtube feed in HD if anyone is interested ---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmGFCYpjJSIComment -
A clear missed interference call leads to a goal by Malkin.Comment -
Refs really flipped this oneComment -
Fukin goal called back changed momentum then miss Crosby interference that caused a goal can't stand pittsComment -
Oh geezeComment -
Wow fukin piece of fuk refs calling that goal Bak ****** this gameComment -
Game over. Monday night and nothing left to do.Comment -
pens are now fedor odds to win it all
Canadians are fagsComment -
Lakerboy you've won Trivia twice in a row?
Wow, nice job man.
Really proud of you.Comment -
Good time to hit Crosby for that cheap interferenceComment -
Seaweed needs to be sweating with that under 6 1/2. Preds will get at least 2 goals before this is done.Comment -
You have to have patience if you want to bet Nashville. I can disregard this terrible period if I get a good price in the future. ~ +145 or w.e people were getting on the Nashville series price wasn't that good, it's that simple. +200 I would have.Comment -
Nashville needs to bring their nasty way of play in the 2nd frame. Crosby hates getting checked in the head.Comment -
Looking good in game one so far.Comment -
Get some!
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