NHL Playoff Betting

Panic Time in Montreal

The Philadelphia Flyers have done something that no team has done to the Montreal Canadiens in thirty years – shut them out in two straight playoff games. NHL odds are that Montreal comes back in Game 3. Montreal, despite outshooting the Flyers in both games find themselves in a 2-0 hole heading back to Montreal, where their playoff record is hardly inspiring.

Philadelphia Flyers @ Montreal Canadiens

7:00 PM ET, Thursday, May 20, 2010

Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec

On: Versus (USA) and TSN (Canada)

Philadelphia leads series 2-0

Philadelphia Flyers: +105

The Philadelphia Flyers have taken over the title of “team of destiny” in this year’s playoffs. They can seemingly do absolutely nothing wrong. The Flyers have tied an NHL record by scoring thirteen straight goals since falling behind 3-0 against the Bruins in Game 7 of that series. The Flyers are simply on fire and appear that they are on a fast track to the final.

Philadelphia’s offense has proven to be efficient and opportunistic. The league’s third best power play during the regular season has gotten the job done against Montreal. They have scored twice with the man advantage in each of the two games and have scored two more goals immediately after a Montreal penalty has expired. 

Danny Briere is rediscovering his sniper ways and scored again on Tuesday night. He now has 18 points in his last 11 games. Simon Gagne`s return to the lineup has proven timely and crucial for the streaking Flyers. He has scored in both games in the Conference Final as well, while surprisingly Mike Richards has been quiet.

Michael Leighton? You gotta be kidding me. Two straight shutouts and four straight wins in this year`s playoffs has made everyone forget about Brian Boucher`s heroics and the fact that Ray Emery was supposed to be the keeper in this position. He has not allowed a goal in 166 minutes and has stopped the 58 shots that have been directed his way in the series. Not too bad to a third or fourth stringer!

Puckline: Philadelphia: +1.5 (-270): Montreal: -1.5 (230)

Montreal Canadiens: -125

The Montreal Canadiens were a .500 club for most of the regular season and their Conference Final play gives us a glimpse into why this was so. They are having a terrible time scoring goals, their lack of size has been exposed in their inability to get to the front of the net, and the goaltending carousel appears to be heating up once again.

Brian Gionta and Mike Cammalleri played better in Game 2 for sure. In game 1 the duo combined for two total shots on goal while Game 2 saw that number rise to twelve. Still, there has not been much sustained pressure and no traffic in front of Michael Leighton. The Montreal Canadiens are not capitalizing in the power play either, something that made them successful in the first two rounds of the playoffs.

The defensive play has been lacking as well – something that Coach Jacques Martin and staff are going to have to improve upon. The Flyers are getting to the front of the net and are affecting Jaroslav Halak`s ability to see the puck. Halak`s play has been suspect as well in the Eastern Conference final. It is no wonder that they are behind 2-0 in the series.

It is difficult to comprehend why the Canadiens are struggling at this point of the post season. It could be a slump or it could be that the Flyers have a game plan that is perfect to neutralize the Canadiens attack. Look for the Habs to get some traffic in front of Michael Leighton in Game 3 and test an increasingly confident Flyers keeper. Leighton is due for a hiccup and the Canadiens are hoping that Thursday night is his time to have a poor game. 

NHL Betting Pick: Montreal Canadiens -125