1st Round NHL Playoffs Series Odds
Can Underdog Rangers Upset Capitals?
4/13/11
The Washington Capitals open the 2011 NHL playoffs against the New York Rangers eager to atone for last seasons early exit. In fact last season, 3 #1 seeds lost in the first round last season, including these Washington Capitals. What does that mean for the bettor? Well, it means, unlike the NBA, there is tremendous value come playoff time, in NHL Underdogs.
since the NHL playoffs started their current playoff format in 1994, 9 #1 seeds have lost in the first round. That’s 9 of 32, or close to 30% winners for the #8 seeds in opening round series.
That value is not just in series wagers. There’s tons of value on a Game by Game basis as well. For instance, most hockey “experts”, those that cover the sport day in and day out all year long, predict the Capitals to win the series but just about all predictions have the Caps in 6 Games. Even those that cover the Caps regularly are leery of the New York Rangers.
Rangers goaltender Henrik LUndqvist always plays well against the Caps and has shut the Caps out the last two times he started against them. The Rangers beat the Capitals 3 out of 4 Games this season. All the pressure is on the Capitals here, the team that is expected to win. The Rangers have nothing to lose and are playing with the confidence of knowing they can beat this team.
Betting advice for the Rangers vs. Capitals series? If you’re not comfortable calling for the outright upset, and playing the Rangers to win the Series, look for individual Games to bet the Rangers. Just about all of the predictions we have seen have the Rangers winning at least 2 Games and the price figures to be right each time the Rangers take the ice.