Internet betting odds were up and down in the NHL through the first couple of games as every single series began with each team winning a game. Many of the online betting favorites lost their opening game but came back to win the second.
Internet betting favored Washington and Chicago before the NHL Playoffs began and both teams struggled in their opener before bouncing back to win Game 2. The San Jose Sharks were also a popular pick as they usually are and they are actually down 2-1 after the first three games of their series against Colorado. The Sharks are notorious playoff chokers so it should not be a huge shock that they are losing a series yet again.
Washington and Pittsburgh are the power teams in the Eastern Conference and while both have looked shaky at times they seem to have things figured out now. Washington should be going with Simeon Varlamov in goal and that will be a huge step up from Jose Theodore who has never done anything in the playoffs. The Penguins started slowly in Internet betting but they have a superstar duo in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. They look to have far too much offense for Ottawa. Only a great goalie is going to shutdown the Penguins and Ottawa’s Brian Elliott is not a great goaltender.
Chicago lost their opening game against Nashville in Internet betting but they looked dominant in Game 2 so they should take control of that series. The Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks are going to fight tooth and nail throughout their series so it is no surprise to see that series tied 1-1. Buffalo and Boston also appear to be headed for a long series. A couple of minor surprises in Internet betting have Phoenix leading Detroit two games to one.
The odds favored Detroit although Phoenix was actually the better team during the regular season. Reputation sometimes gets you more respect than you deserve and that has been the case with Detroit. The other surprise has been Philadelphia leading the series against New Jersey. The Flyers limped into the playoffs but they have outplayed New Jersey and lead the Devils two games to one.
When all is said and done in the first round you can expect the three online betting favorites, Washington, Chicago and Pittsburgh to still be alive. After that, anything is possible.