For the primary time in fairly a bit, the Boston Bruins will enter a postseason match as an outsider. The B’s are at present sitting at +2000 to win the Stanley Cup and are slight underdogs of their Spherical 1 sequence in opposition to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Canes have a home-ice benefit, although, so this line does suggest that bookmakers would make the Bruins the favourite in a impartial venue.
And whereas the surface-level numbers would counsel that Carolina needs to be the favourite — the Canes completed 9 factors and 41 targets forward of the Bruins within the standings — the underlying metrics present this to be a razor-tight matchup between two terrific hockey groups.
Additionally learn: Each group’sodds to win the Stanley Cup
NHL Playoffs Sequence odds: Boston -105/Carolina -115
Odds offered by BetMGM
No group within the NHL does a greater job suppressing high quality scoring probabilities fairly just like the Bruins. In accordance with Pure Stat Trick, Boston led the NHL in anticipated targets in opposition to and high-danger scoring probabilities allowed at 5-on-5. Moreover, no group allowed few photographs on aim at 5-on-5 than the Bruins.
For years the Bruins have been the NHL’s premier defensive outfit; this season was no completely different. And maybe it’s by no means been extra essential for Boston to enter a postseason in good defensive kind. Whereas in years previous the B’s had one of many NHL’s most dependable goaltenders, Tuukka Rask, backing up this stalwart protection, this season it is going to be Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman in aim. Neither Ullmark nor Swayman has began an NHL recreation of their profession.
In all chance, we are going to see Ullmark begin Recreation 1 in Carolina. Just a few months in the past, that might have been a crimson flag for the Bruins, however the 28-year-old Swede has been in good kind over the previous month, posting a .934 save proportion and a +5.82 Targets Saved Above Anticipated (GSAx) over his final 14 video games.
It’s no positive factor that Ullmark will carry that momentum into the playoffs, but when the Bruins do their factor defensively, he ought to have each probability of succeeding.
And in one other matchup, maybe the goaltending matchup can be a giant deal. However Carolina has its personal points within the blue paint with Freddie Andersen on the sidelines. Andersen was one of many NHL’s strongest goaltenders all season lengthy however will not be prone to be out there for the primary handful of video games this postseason. Meaning Antti Raanta or rookie Pyotr Kochetkov should do the heavy lifting in aim. Raanta is a tremendous backup and posted a .912 save proportion and a +8.5 GSAx in 28 video games.
Whereas the protection drives the bus for the Bruins, the alternative is true of Carolina. Solely Florida produced extra shot makes an attempt, anticipated targets, and high-danger scoring probabilities at 5-on-5 in comparison with the Canes.
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Loads of individuals will level to the season sequence, which was dominated by Carolina, as a cause to again the Canes as quick favorites, nevertheless it’s additionally doable that the season splits are literally protecting the worth down on the Bruins, who've been one of many NHL’s finest groups during the last 4 months.
Since Jan. 1, the Bruins have gone 37-16-3 with a +33 aim differential and a league-leading 57.5% anticipated targets fee. That file wasn’t adequate to shut the hole between the B’s and the three groups forward of them within the Atlantic, nevertheless it did present that these are the Bruins we’ve grown accustomed to seeing over the previous 5 seasons.
Carolina is a terrific hockey membership and has home-ice benefit, however the flawed group is favored on this best-of-7 sequence. Not solely do the Bruins have worth to win this sequence, however they’re additionally price a punt to win the Stanley Cup at +2000, and focusing on Boston gamers within the Conn Smythe markets may very well be a sensible transfer, as properly.
NHL Playoffs bets: Boston wins the sequence -105; Bruins to win Stanley Cup +1800 (BetRivers); Charlie McAvoy to win Conn Smythe Award +18000 (FanDuel)
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