NHL Playoffs Preview: Eastern and Western Conference Semi Finals Week 2
Summary
The NHL playoffs have been absolutely scintillating so far and there is so much more action to be had, only available on Stake.com’s sportsbook!
The first few rounds have reflected a huge emphasis on an underdog mentality, with teams like the Florida Panthers and Seattle Kraken making huge strides in their respective series.
There is nothing better to see than new teams getting an opportunity on the biggest of stages, and this year’s NHL Champion will more than likely be someone we haven’t seen over the past decade or so.
The pace of play in the NHL postseason has been largely dictated by the game speed which is at an all-time high.
This is the highest scoring playoffs of any postseason stint in history, and there is good reason to believe that it will continue to be that way.
Already matching the goal tally of last year, there is so much more drama left in these Eastern and Western Semi Finals.
Wrestling any doubt of the action that has preceded these games will be soon answered, and we have all the best lines to bet on this week on Stake.com!
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Florida Panthers - Wednesday, May 10th - Series 0-3
The Toronto Maple Leafs are going through the wringer currently, and there is nothing they can do to possibly get the space of a 0-3 series deficit out of their system.
The Maple Leafs looked to be destined for a huge postseason run this year after battling their demons of the past and making it out of the first round and glorious style.
Three comeback wins over the TB Lightning emphasized the heart of this team, but they have since gone down without much to say.
Losing two winnable games at home, and now a third in Florida were seriously big marks to their overall plans and they must now win a Game 4 in Florida to try and even survive remotely in this series.
The talent is certainly there for the Leafs, led by star man Auston Matthews.
However, they will need to play with more urgency and realize that their season is on the line this upcoming Wednesday.
Florida is partying all night long after securing a three to nothing series lead, and with a chance to close out the lights at their own crib.
The panthers have been one of the most fascinating teams of the playoffs, taking down Boston, the #1 seed and best team in the NHL after coming back from a 1-3 deficit.
Brandon Montour and company are rolling into a possible Eastern Conference Championship, something that not many would’ve said possible this year.
Betting Prediction - Toronto to extend the series and win this game as well as the total over on goals scored.
Dallas Stars @ Seattle Kraken - Tuesday, May 9th - Series 1-2
Both the Stars and Kraken have had blowouts to their name during this series, but the Stars now find themselves in a must-win position once again.
The more talented team in many metrics, the Stars believe they should’ve finished up this series in multiple facets a long time ago.
There is nothing to say that they still can, but nothing has been going through their sticks recently.
The Kraken do not care about any metrics, however, and are looking to play spoiler as one of the first expansion teams to win a Stanley Cup.
Prediction - Dallas Stars to even up the series on the money line.