Okay MYBookie NHL hockey betting buffs, with the 2019 postseason steamrolling into the second round, now is a great time to offer up a pair of postseason predictions that could help you increase your annual hockey betting bankroll in a big way. Following what was arguably the most unpredictable first round of action in NHL postseason history, let’s find out which teams are looking good against their second round opponents.
Let’s get to it.
Islanders vs Hurricanes & Sharks vs Avalanche 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds & Game 1 Prediction
No one saw this coming. Recap a couple historical First Round upsets, with stats provided by @SAPSports. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/e2MVwkdETZ
— NHL (@NHL) April 25, 2019
New York Islanders vs. Carolina Hurricanes
NHL Odds: Hurricanes +1-5 / Islanders -125
New York Islanders used a fantastic defensive effort to dispatch the Pittsburgh Penguins in four quick games and hand Sidney Crosby the first sweep n the future Hall of Famer’s illustrious career. While the Islanders rank an uninspiring 27th in scoring (2.7 gpg). They also finished first in goals allowed in the regular season by limiting the opposition to just 2.3 goals per game. New York’s defense was on full display against Pittsburgh as they limited the high-scoring Penguins to just one goal in each of the final three games of their first round matchup.
Carolina Hurricanes showed some serious fortitude in overcoming 2-0 and 3-2 deficits to dispatch Alexander Ovechkin and the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals in seven thrilling games. The Hurricanes put five goals on the board in two games while eking out narrow, one-goal wins in their two other victories, including their 4-3 overtime win in Game 7. Carolina put up a decent 3.0 goals per game during the regular season (16th) while finishing eighth in goals allowed (2.7 gpg).
“I know they’re probably sitting there licking their chops. I know we all would be with the way this series went. Seven games, overtime, the grind that this series was, the injuries that have racked up. They’ve been sitting there for 10 days,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said of the Islanders.
Carolina Key Trends
- Hurricanes are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Hurricanes are 11-4 in their last 15 Conference Semifinals games.
- Hurricanes are 35-17 in their last 52 overall.
- Hurricanes are 1-6 in their last 7 games as a road underdog.
New York Key Trends
- Islanders are 5-0 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Islanders are 6-0 in their last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Islanders are 4-1 in their last 5 home games.
- Islanders are 38-18 in their last 56 overall.
Head-to-Head Trends
- Underdog is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
- Road team is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
- Hurricanes are 3-7 in the last 10 meetings.
- Hurricanes are 10-4 in the last 14 meetings in New York.
- Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in New York.
Prediction
I’m going to be straightforward and direct with my pick on this second round Eastern Conference pairing by saying that I like the New York Islanders to find a way to get past a Carolina Hurricanes team that won’t roll over in this one, but one I expect to have trouble finding the back of the net in this series.
Vezina Trophy finalist Robin Lehner posted the best goals-against average (1.47) and save percentage (.956) in the first round while backup
Thomas Greiss stopped 129 of 136 shots while playing in all four regular-season meetings against Carolina. The Islanders are well-rested with almost 10 days between games since sweeping Pittsburgh and watching the Canes go the distance with Washington. New York also won the regular season series 3-1. It’s kind of hard to beat a team when you can’t score against them. Back the New York islanders to win this second round series to advance.
Pick: NY Islanders 4 Carolina 2
San Jose Sharks vs. Colorado Avalanche
NHL Odds: Avalanche +110 / Sharks -130
San Jose Sharks overcame a 3-1 deficit to dispatch the defending Western Conference champion Vegas Golden Knights in a thrilling, seven-game series while showing some serious courage by winning the final two games of their first round matchup in overtime. The Sharks put up a stellar 3.5 goals per game in the regular season to rank second in scoring while giving up a generous 3.1 goals per contest to finish 21st in goals allowed.
“It’s a special group,” San Jose coach Peter DeBoer said. “We rallied like that all year at different points, even early in the series here when we were down 3-0 (in Game 2). People have written them off, or down and out … there’s a lot of belief in there.”
Colorado Avalanche stunned the top-seeded Calgary Flames in five games in the first round by winning four straight after dropping the series opener 4-0. The Avalanche scored six goals in Game 3 and put another five on the board in Game 5 to finish off the high-scoring Flames with ease. Colorado closed out the regular season ranked 10th in scoring (3.1 gpg) and an even more modest 16th in goals allowed (3.0 gpg).
“I think not too many people would have us in this position at this point in the year, but I think in our room we believe,” coach Jared Bednar said of his team.
Colorado Key Trends
- Avalanche are 5-1 in their last 6 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Avalanche are 4-1 in their last 5 games following a win.
- Avalanche are 4-1 in their last 5 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
- Avalanche are 36-76 in their last 112 road games.
San Jose Key Trends
- Sharks are 5-1 in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
- Sharks are 8-2 in their last 10 vs. Central.
- Sharks are 4-1 in their last 5 home games.
- Sharks are 25-10 in their last 35 games following a win.
Head to Head Trends
- Avalanche are 4-24 in the last 28 meetings in San Jose.
- Avalanche are 17-37 in the last 54 meetings.
- Home team is 38-17 in the last 55 meetings.
- Favorite is 39-16 in the last 55 meetings.
- Over is 20-8-2 in the last 30 meetings.
- Over is 8-0-1 in the last 9 meetings in San Jose.
Prediction
While Colorado was fantastic in their stunning first round win over Calgary, San Jose is the far better team at the offensive end of the ice in this second round matchup and the more battle-tested and experienced team as well. The Sharks won all three regular season meetings and I believe their first round win over Vegas was a precursor for things to come as this team reaches the conference finals at the very least.
Pick: San Jose 4 Colorado 1
