S3EP26 - NHL Playoffs Betting Preview - Go Leafs Go!!

The Overrated Experience is back and gets you fully prepared to watch and bet the 2025 NHL playoffs.

Don't let the Puck drop without listening to get you ready.

• Series by Series Preview
• Value Bets 
• Thoughts on all teams if they lose in Round 1

Lets go.. NFL playoffs nothing like it..

NHL fans Listen now!!

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Transcript

Kyle Blondin (00:01.166)
Welcome to the overrated experience sports and sports betting podcast. I'm your host Kyle Blondin. This is the first ever podcast live on YouTube. We're going to test it out, see if there's value here going live versus posting just the audio. So welcome for anybody that tunes in who's never tuned in before. My name is Kyle Blondin. What we do here is we're a sports and sports betting podcast and now visual, I guess for what it is. Uh,

that we look at the world of sports betting from a square perspective. If you don't know what a square is, it's kind of an amateur. And to be honest, mean, there are pros out there that bet sports that grind and look for edges, and that's exactly how you want to do this if you want to be making money instead of dropping money. But to be honest, you know, I've been doing this for my whole life, but I'm still probably in that square standpoint, so I like to...

you know, promote this podcast as such, is that we are in it together. I'm just like you. I'm just the guy with the podcast that tries to look at it from a perspective of a gambler trying to get better. And hopefully you can enjoy the ride, enjoy the topics we talk about today. And today's podcast is meant to focus on the NHL and the beginning of the Stanley Cup playoffs to begin kickoff tomorrow. So we'll get into that. We'll go through each series.

Extensive notes, my takes, looking at various sports books and what offers are on the table and what value might be out there for you to consider. This is for fun. I am not directing you in any way to unload or mortgage the future, your financial future on any one bet or multiple bets that I talk about here today or any other podcast, so be careful please. And if you want to follow the Overrated Experience Sports and Sports betting podcast, you can do so on X.

at overrated, E-X-P-E-R-2. That's overrated, E-X-P-E-R-2. That's the name they gave me. I tried to do the full overrated experience, but no go. That was what X provided, or Twitter at the time. And here we go. So, just maybe looking forward in the future, a lot of our podcasts had a focal point that was NFL related, betting related, player props, game spreads, over-unders. And right now, you know, after football season,

Kyle Blondin (02:20.92)
You get into March Madness, get into UFC, you get into baseball. But really what lit the fire here was a lead up to the NHL playoffs where, you know, I'm a huge hockey fan, NHL fan, have been for my whole life. But you know, I would say in the last few years, there's been kind of like a, you know, kind of a subtle decline and, you know, having to keep an eye on every aspect of the NHL player movements, roster movements, key injuries, records being chased.

And this year it's built up a little more. I I'm not going to lie, the Four Nations tournament that you probably didn't watch if you are a hockey fan really put back into my mindset that these guys care and that they're willing to go to the wall to win a game, to win a series, to win a championship. So he got me back on board as we led up to the playoffs here. I sat down, looked at many of these series, looked at some of the data and did my best to compile information that you may find valuable or at least

gives me a situation where I can make a decision based on the data in front of me. I'm going to be on my Red Bull today, my water, just to keep the energy flowing and keep the voice going.

We have no sponsors, if you want to be a sponsor, let me know. I'm willing to take your money, because a podcast is going to happen one way or another. here we go. NHL playoffs absolutely pumped. NHL 2024-25 season. Now a couple notes before we get into each of these games. Some good, some bad, some indifferent. Some of the highlights include looking at the schedule released by the NHL.

I mean, we pretty much knew by Thursday night, you know, after the Habs won and beat the Carolina Hurricanes, that they were going to be the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and take on the Washington Capitals. But you know, as of Friday, no, let's say Thursday, sorry, mid Thursday, there was only the two games like, you know, scheduled at least publicly. And that was for Saturday's matchups, Winnipeg and St. Louis.

Kyle Blondin (04:28.15)
as the early match of a 630-ish, I believe, and the 830-ish game is gonna be Dallas and Colorado. But it was pretty much late on Thursday where we found out where the schedules lied. Wow, what a weird scenario. I'm willing to kind of give this a chance to understand what the rationale is. But you have two series opening Saturday and a couple series opening on Sunday.

You have a series open on Monday and then topped off by the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning play game one on Tuesday.

Wow, off the top of my head, I'm not sure where the NHL was going on this. I know that they're restricted because they have their TV partners in TNT, Sportsnet, and ESPN. Or, do I give them the benefit of the doubt and give them, you know, just maybe there's a strategy involved here, potentially that if we have a few short series, have they planned it out so that we will not have, you know, days where there is no NHL hockey?

or at least limit that opportunity, that could be it. That might be the strategy. That's me giving a Red Bull half full or a Stanley Cup half full of optimism. So that's something there. People complain about the seeding in the NHL right now for many years. It's been locked into divisions and wild cards. an example, the Oilers and Kings meet for a fourth consecutive time the first round.

And there's cries for changes. think the NHL got lucky this year. Lucky, Gary, you got lucky. Let's not kid ourselves. That the matchups, there's enough matchups in here that are intriguing and of interest where maybe the chatter is not going to be about the current playoff format. But come on guys, big picture. One through eight is your best method. You're to have fresh matchups. That's what people want. All right. And

Kyle Blondin (06:33.922)
The NHL obviously probably, I'm pretty sure, has an economical reason, a TV reason, to why they refuse to go to the 1-8. But when they start spewing, this is what the fans want, there's no complaints, we don't want to change, I get it because it's economic. They want to lock in a bracket so that there is no surprises, there is no, you know, mystery matchups in further rounds where the top seed continues to play the lower seed, and if there's an upset, it changes the balance of things.

in that particular conference. However, there has to be a balance between sport and economics. So I think the economic part of this is taking over where the demand for the one to eight is high enough where there has to be serious consideration to move back to that format, because it did exist before. People love that matchup, and they're not loving this matchup, but you got lucky. You got lucky, Gary, because that, you know,

We'll talk about it in a bit, but that Kings-Oylers matchup, it is intriguing because things got a little nasty in that final game where the Oilers suited up their B team. Darnell Nurse got suspended for the last regular season game, and there's some bad blood going into that series, so people are gonna forget of the boar fest that possibly could have been between the Oilers and the Kings, but now it's on. So that's a couple news and notes, but we're pumped to get into the NHL playoffs, and we're gonna kick it off game by game.

I got a bunch of information. I don't know if you're gonna find it valuable. I hope you do. I'm gonna go through it and try to crunch it in and come through with a coherent thought of where I think these series are going. I'm also gonna talk about what if. What if the series, if one of these teams loses, what is their future? How are they thinking going into next season? Is it devastating? Is it, no big deal. Or is it, okay, time to turn the page on this and break it all down and rebuild from the bottom and.

try to get on top in a few years and put my fan base to hell, okay?

Kyle Blondin (08:37.41)
Red Bull, is it giving me wings? I think it might be. Well, first series is gonna kick off. Is the Quietly, and I say quiet, the Winnipeg Jets are the President's Trophy winners for most points in the NHL. And has there been a quiet, a quieter President's Trophy winner coming into the playoffs that you can recall? Last year, the Rangers won the President's Trophy. It tells you that maybe people do not consider it

big deal or correlation to success in the playoffs if a team does follow through in the regular season with the best record. All the Rangers, you know, they didn't win a Stanley Cup last year after the president's trophy and are not in the playoffs this year. So I mean, maybe the idea of the president's trophy is not a big deal.

I was going to talk about this earlier too, but I think the NHL for their better, the betterment has to look at the Stanley Cup is obviously the top dog. This is the top echelon where you achieve in the NHL. No question. There's no question. There's other things about the sport like the Olympics, the four nations, it's you know, interest in the league and you want to win these things, but there has to be more value. It's for your own good.

There has to be more value that the Winnipeg Jets or any team winning the President's Trophy for the best record in the regular season. 82 goddamn games you're playing. It's gotta mean something. And it's okay to have a tiered approach to your fan base where, right, as a Winnipeg Jets fan, should be proud that you were able to capture the President's Trophy. I don't think that's happening. I don't think that nobody gives a shit and that's wrong. I think you devalue your sport if you're not looking at tiered approaches.

Are you having a parade because you won the President's Trophy? No. Are you celebrating it? Yes. Despite what happens in the playoffs, there has to be some sort of accomplishment. And if you look at referencing English football or European football, you you have a Manchester City that, you know, has had a struggle. They're one of the top teams in Europe or expected to be the one, the teams in Europe. Not going to win a Champions League, not going to win an EPL Championship.

Kyle Blondin (10:54.606)
But they might win an FA title. And there's something there, it's a trophy. Again, there's a tiered expectation of what that trophy means compared to a Champions League, but it's not brushed off. So that's just a quick note. I'll get off my soapbox and get to the series. So I'll also mention each of these teams for you non-hockey fans out there, or maybe new to the game, that just talk a little bit about their Stanley Cup history. So the Winnipeg Jets formerly

formerly the Atlanta Thrashers, formerly, you know, that's, you know, the Winnipeg had the Winnipeg Jets, which were moved to Arizona. Now the Utah hockey club. you really got to do your research to follow along some of these teams, just like any other sports that some of these franchises bounce around before they settle. Winnipeg Jets though, President's Trophy winners, they have a history of zero Stanley Cups. And I'll tell you what.

They also don't get much respect. They're not getting much respect when it comes to the odds on winning the Stanley Cup. They are a fan duel plus 850, bet 365, plus 900, and DraftKings, if you want the real value, plus 1100, that's where you're get your value if you're banking on the Winnipeg Jets making a run here and being a serious contender for a Stanley Cup. And again, also note, each series I'm use fan duel, DraftKings, and bet 365 as comparisons to all these bets.

I know that there's hundreds out there. I know that there's many sports books, especially in Canada and the United States that are options that may show us more options and value plays that I'm gonna present here today. That's fine, I just wanna let you know those are the three books. Again, I'm gonna diverge here, because I should have mentioned this off the top, is that I was kinda disappointed, especially being Canadian, where hockey is huge, and these sports books for last few years,

are dedicated to each market, right? There's FanDuel in Ontario, which is in Canada. There's FanDuel across the United States for each particular state. And I don't get the sense that they've cashed in on the opportunity, let's say, to provide various options for betting. And out of the three that I looked at, DraftKings was far better. If you wanted some unique plays, not everybody is looking for over-unders or series.

Kyle Blondin (13:17.518)
Or most points they want some you know some some unique plays And I found that bet 365 was kind of okay on it fan duel really weak really weak on the options provided Like and this is maybe a situation where these sportsbooks are You know really not for a fan friendly and believe we're so desperate they will just bet whatever and they're probably right but at the same time draft Kings

hats off to you because you provided the best options but I still expect more but we'll go through that and I'll touch base where my bets are coming from from each sportsbook now when you look at the Winnipeg Jets and by me if you see my eyes going down and reading my notes the extensive notes about each of these series so I looked at things like key injuries coming into the playoffs and Winnipeg Jets right now there's one big injury that's really impactful it is Nikolas Nikolai Ehlers of the

the left-winger for the Winnipeg Jets. Now if you didn't notice, one of the last few games the Jets played, he ran into an official on the ice, and he's weak to weak. He's an impact player. Nick Eulers was third in points for the Winnipeg Jets, impact player, 20 plus goals, really a difference maker. And when you're in the NHL playoffs, you gotta have all hands on deck, because if you're looking to make a run, you gotta hope that your health is on your side.

And it's not a good sign when Nick Ealers runs into a linesman or a referee and is out. So not good for the Jets, but will that impact the series against the St. Louis Blues? I don't know. We'll get to that in a second. So this series kicks off Saturday. The Winnipeg Jets have home ice advantage. And what stands out to me about the Winnipeg Jets here is something to consider. They had the number one power play in the NHL this year.

When special teams will be critical, doesn't mean that the regular season will translate to the playoffs as the checking gets tighter. But I do believe it's significant to know heading into that first round, if you're looking at anything such as player props on points, goals, the Winnipeg Jets, bread and butter is on the power play. And they're number one and I don't expect them to necessarily slow down as they go into this first series. Penalty Kill, which is another core one I looked at, they're only 15th so they're mid row.

Kyle Blondin (15:42.582)
Some other stats specifically to the Jets, good or bad, that stand out. Their shooting percentage is third, meaning that the 12 % of their shots turn into a goal. And then goals, 12 % I think, sorry, shooting percentage. So 12 % of their shots turn into goals. And goals in total. The average 3.37 goals a game in the regular season. That's fourth best in the NHL. So expect them to use their offensive firepower against the St. Louis Blues. The Blues,

let's go back to one of the keys. One of the keys to the Winnipeg Jets, and this is not only for the first round series, but for the whole thing, the whole series, the whole shebang, is Connor Hellebuck, the soon-to-be-con smite, according to the odds, his playoff MVP, absolute Vezna. I can't see that changing because the voting is cut off, regular season. Connor Hellebuck, probably wasted time to put two other goaltenders up against him.

So he comes into playoffs and his reputation is, does he perform in the playoffs? Right now, that choke, the choke is kind of on his side. And he needs the proof that if he wins that Vezna trophy and he shits the bed in that first round, his reputation is gonna be changed as he looked at it a choke and he has to live with that for another year. So it's really important that he steps up and plays like he does in the regular season, the playoffs.

He's facing Jordan Bennington of the St. Louis Blues who beat him in the final in the Four Nations tournament for Team Canada. So a lot to prove there. And then you look at the roster of the Jets, man. Kyle Connor. This guy's an unsung. If he played with the Rangers, the Leafs, the Habs, you would absolutely know who he is. He's an American left winger. He 96 points this year. Dominant player. again, playoffs, power play. I see him doing some damage. Shife Lee, Ehlers, hopefully he'll be back.

Josh Morrissey on the D, Velardy. The Winnipeg Jets is also, they're a kind of franchise that has looked, been managed very well. And what I mean by that, if you look at other leagues, like baseball, the Tampa Bay Rays don't have the biggest budget, but they find talent. They find free agents that perform. They find late round picks that come up and are able to add to their pitching staff. Same thing with the Jets. Shovel Dayoff, the general manager, has

Kyle Blondin (18:08.974)
had the skill set to take maybe not the most desirable location in Winnipeg understand that he's in that situation being able to re-sign a guy like Mark Shieffley to a lengthy contract which they didn't think he would do even more important is Conor Hellebuck to a lengthy contract so he'll be sticking around and they got a foundation and they just signed Pionk, one of their top defensemen and think Velardy also signed

There's you know second third centerman, which is absolutely what that franchise needs So watch out the Jets might be dangerous as we look at the st. Louis Blues. I Don't see them coming into the series Taken Winnipeg out. Let's be honest. They were the hottest team Jim Montgomery head coach of the st. Louis Blues came into the organization after being let go from Boston turns the Blues around Boston doesn't make the playoffs, but st. Louis comes in

on wild ride where they win 12 in a row near the end of the season there to put them into playoff contention and finally solidify that number two wild card spot in the Western Conference. So when you look at the roster, the St. Louis Blues, I don't know, like I mean the St. Louis Blues had a hell of a run to end the season. They got guys, like Dylan Holloway, who's hurt week to week. Robert Thomas left late in the season. I don't know what his status currently. He should be ready for game one.

I've you know Tory Krug he's been out forever a former Boston Bruin but he's on he's out and that's not significant because you know you know pre for a lengthy period of time before this 12 game run run they had power play wise and penalty kill wise both both middle of road for the St. Louis Blues 18th 18th in the NHL in the power play percentage penalty kill 27th no other stat really stood out to note Jordan Bennington

Guys face it, he's got to stand on his head, he's got to be a monster out there, he's got to frustrate the Winnipeg Jets. I don't see it happening. I think the Jets win this game. know, the Blues got Robert Thomas, Jordan Kairou, Dylan Holloway, you know, these guys produce points for them, but at the end of the day, I don't think there's going to be much in the way for the Jets to destroy this St. Louis Blues team. That's we care. Five or six at best. Five or six at best, so nobody's going to take the minus.

Kyle Blondin (20:30.734)
210 or on DraftKings for the Jets to win the series. However, some plays to consider for this series. St. Louis Blues, Game 1 Jets over 5.5 plus 120. Now, like I said, you know the firepower of the Winnipeg Jets, number one in the power play. They were run and gun with the Colorado Avalanche last year in a series loss, but it seems like the first round tends to have more goals. So I gotta believe each of these series with a few exceptions.

You want to look on the high side because as we trickle through to the second round of third round, that's where things are really tight. So look for the advantage of these five and a halfs, especially you see a plus. Uh, and I think game one, you'll see a five, one, five, two kind of win for the Winnipeg jets. And we look at, uh, you know, a fail look on fan dual series, uh, spread the alternative spread, meaning that it's not just winning. They, they could win by amount of games and Winnipeg jets to win, uh,

by two or more games to close out the series is minus 105. I think there's value there. Can you really see this game being pushed more than six games and the Winnipeg Jets not being on the winning side? I can't. So there's a lot of wiggle room here. I could see a sweep here. I could see five games, six at most, and that's in our favor. So minus 105 for the Winnipeg Jets. And this is where DraftKings comes through, and I love it.

And the options are there and I think you should check it out. Individual players, look at, they got players props. Mark Shieffley to have 15 or more shots on goal in the series, plus 200. I think there's value there. If you look at the regular season, you'll look at a string of six or seven games. He's close to that 15, you know, 15 shots on goal. But I gotta believe in the playoffs, in the playoffs, that what's gonna happen is that, you know, these guys get double shifted.

You get more ice time. They're looking to get on a plane to get to the next city on their road trip. They're looking to pounce and destroy these other teams. The adrenaline's going. So look for Shife League to be a big factor. And just to put pucks on net, I like that value of the plus 200. Also you have Jordan Kairou with the St. Louis Blues, one of their top point producers. And 20 shots during the season, plus 220.

Kyle Blondin (22:55.032)
Now keep in mind Jordan Kyra, he puts the puck on net. He puts the rubber on net so there is value here. And you gotta look at the St. Louis Blues, they'll be desperate. They gotta put the puck in their hands of their players. He's gonna be rifling the puck and Kyle Hellebuck, he's not afraid to shoot. So that's good value there. Also, you look at, Beth365, you look at the total points. Who's gonna lead this series in points and who other than Kyle O'Connor? What a name. Kyle, can't be a loss there, right? That's gotta be a winner. Anybody with that name, trust him.

they're gonna lead you away. So Kyle Connor, right now most points, he's plus 250 on bet 365. So what happens if each of these teams, let's look at it from perspective, if one of them goes out in the first round. St. Louis Blues, kind of iffy on what that would look like. I mean, their expectations were probably a little higher, as you know, can tell if they make that coaching change to Jim Montgomery halfway through to get this team into the playoffs.

uh, if they lose, I gotta believe that they gotta take a serious look at the franchise and, uh, I see this team making another run, not too many significant deletions off this roster, uh, but may look to make a splash in free agency. So not much from a St. Louis perspective. If the Winnipeg Jets somehow shit the bed here and get knocked out in the first round. I mean, you're going to look at Connor Hellebuck. He's not going anywhere, but he's going to have that choke label.

attached to his name. They got so much talent here. I don't think that they, they're kind of in a box, right? They can't go out and land a Mitch Marner or John Tavares. The odds are low. But when you got a roster like this, that's exactly what you're trying to do. So if they somehow lose in the first round, you know, after winning the president's trophy, look for Tim shovel day off to maybe try to make a

really smooth trade that changed the structure of the team. But I'd be surprised if there's significant movement if they do lose with the kind of roster they got to put together on a yearly basis. But he may get creative, but it's not going to be burn it all down, scorched earth. So the Winnipeg Jets will march on. We'll see what they do there. But I don't see them losing. And we're on to the next series. The next series we're going to look at is the Dallas Stars, the Colorado Avalanche, which is also a series that's going to kick off on Saturday night.

Kyle Blondin (25:19.47)
Let me just get to that note in my, you know, super advanced notebook here instead of like electronics. Dallas stars and the Colorado Avalanche. go with Dallas first. The odds of them winning the Stanley Cup right now on FanDuel plus 650. They're one of the top co-favorites surprising with the team that I'll talk about later. DraftKings plus 650, Beth365 750. This is where I don't know if

that the odds that you're seeing on these books match what somebody who is familiar with the game would consider a top contender for the cup based on what we've seen over the last few years. The roster does have the talent, does have the goalkeeping, Jake Ottinger, one of the top goaltenders in the NHL, not the top, but one of the top and could possibly go on a run.

But I think there's a little more respect to the Stars who did make the Stanley Cup final back in You know years ago In the bubble when they lost to the table Bay Lightning the Dallas Stars do have one Stanley Cup and I to mention the Blues also have a Stanley Cup by the way, sorry I got a lot of information here trying to make sure I'm staying on course and be consistent each series but the Dallas Stars have a Stanley Cup if you remember that series against the Buffalo Sabres

where the infamous Brett Hall, foot in the crease against Dominic Hasek, wins the Stanley Cup in overtime. We went through a whole NHL season where the controversy was any smidgen of a skate, the blue paint, a goal was called off, except the biggest moment of the season, which is still confusing. But the Dallas Stars come in as one of the heavy favorites to win the Stanley Cup. They will be on the road in Colorado. This is considered maybe the biggest matchup.

Could be, it's a heavyweight fight, one of these teams is gonna go home in the first round, which is a shame.

Kyle Blondin (27:22.104)
that's reality so how we gonna break this down so the Dallas Stars key injuries well good news for the Stars Taylor Sagan is back how back is he I don't know he returned for the final game of the Dallas Stars season but he will be available for the Dallas Stars in their run one thing that this may be an impact was Jason Robertson one of their top goal scorers

and players 80 points a season was seen in a knee brace. think it was a knee brace he had on based on an injury picked up in the last game of season.

Kyle Blondin (28:02.286)
Now look how fucked up this is. Many of these teams did wrest talent as they played out meaningless games at end of the season. It's like Nathan McKinnon for the Colorado Avalanche didn't play, I McCarr didn't play. But many of these teams were forced to play some players, like the Leafs for example had to play that last game with Marner and Matthews. Because of the cap situation where their flexibility was not there,

the colony up there so tight against the cap the risk was that you had to put in an austin matthews into the lineup and then risk that he could potentially get injured in non meaningful game and that's what happened to test you with the dallas stars are in a game that where they've already wrapped up and locked in a playoff series for quite a while now and then jason robertson who could be a difference maker in the series is now

a potential, you know, either he's gonna not play or be far less than 100 % to go against the Colorado Avalanche where you need all hands on deck to ensure that you're gonna put your best foot forward or skate forward, I guess you'd say, to have a chance of winning this series. So a lot of things are standing up with Dallas here, right? There are one of the odds on favorites to win the Stanley Cup, which I think is a little generous.

They have a key injury in Robertson Tyler Sagan's return. Yeah, but how what's he got left in the tank? I don't know right you have a Miko Muro Heiskeinen defenseman may not be ready for the start of the playoffs There's a second notch against your op your odds again in this series and then the Dallas Stars I didn't notice this until yesterday and somebody mentioned it They've lost seven straight coming into this series seven straight to end the season

ice cold are you the Dallas Stars lost seven straight before coming into the playoffs and they are still at the top of the odds on many of sportsbooks it makes zero sense and then they got to go on the road to take on the Colorado Avalanche I don't know I don't know when you and you look at the Avalanche right now and just to let you know they have three Stanley Cups 95 96 and the 2000

Kyle Blondin (30:30.286)
2000 2001 season and a couple seasons ago with Nathan McKinnon 2021 22 So they're more of a recent Stanley Cup winner three in their belts They are plus 850 on fan duel plus 900 plus 850 on draft Kings to win the cup I don't see how and why? The odds would be stacked against them to be behind the Dallas stars. It makes no sense zero sense and Advantage to you betters out there like the better futures. There's opportunity there

and you look on the Colorado Avalanche and some stories here that's actually maybe in the opposite, you know, momentum side for the Colorado Avalanche. You got Gabriel Landiscau, captain of the Colorado Avalanche, who's had a devastating, I believe hip injury that's kept him out for multiple years, multiple seasons. He decides, I'm ready to go guys. He plays two HL games. He scores a goal. He's back at practicing with the Avalanche. I guess the story is he's

probably not gonna play game one, but you need all hands on deck like I talked about and to have a guy like Gabriel Landis Cog follow you along your playoff run.

can only add value. And what a story. What a story. He's ready to go. You gotta love the game to be ready to rehab and grind and be ready to go in the playoffs. Exactly what they need. me. And on the injury front, Josh Manson and Jonathan Drouin, both out, defenseman and left wing respectively. From a net mining situation, Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgwood, Mackenzie Blackwood, you know, he's the guy.

He's the guy that's probably going to be guy carrying the load. But the Avalanche recognized early in the 2024-25 season, this season, that goaltending was a problem. So they moved and made acquisitions of both these guys, and it worked out. And you look at the power play percentages, 24.7 % power play, they're clicking ninth. OK, all right. But anytime you got a Nathan McKinnon, Four Nations MVP on the power play with Kale McCarr, watch out. Dangerous as hell.

Kyle Blondin (32:39.574)
and you got the penalty kill with 14th again, mid-row, mid-row. Shots on goal also stood out to me. They were third in the NHL, so they put a lot of rubber on net. Sorry, let's say they're fifth, averaging 30 shots on net offensively. However, they are also third of shots given up, 26 on average. And that's gonna give you a hint to where I'm going with the series as far as scoring's gonna happen.

player stats and you got obviously Nathan McKinnon one of the best players in the NHL 116 points this year played 79 games only missed a few games and in most of those are rest right and again sorry let me add in I put these stats down a couple a game or two before the season ended so I might be off a goal or an assist so don't crucify me on that one no pun intended for the weekend

Kyle Blondin (33:31.022)
All right, so McKinnon, Kale McCarr, best defenseman in the NHL, 92 points, insane ability from McCarr, game changer. Martin Aitches, that is one of stories here. You have the Miko Rantanen trade where Miko Rantanen bounced around from Colorado, apparently surprised that the Avs decided to move on and send him to Carolina because he didn't have that contract to go beyond the season.

He goes to Carolina, the Carolina Hurricanes trade forum, it don't have a contract in place. And then they dump him at the trade deadline, really embarrassing to them. The Dallas Stars pick him up and sign him to that lengthy contract. So the Dallas Stars are all in on Mikko Rantanen. So is he gonna be the story of this year's? We'll find out, but Martin Aitches is a pretty damn good pickup. Young player, young forward, young centerman out of Carolina. So I think they'll do all right there. You got Brock Nelson coming over from the Islanders at the trade deadline.

The Avalanche are loaded up Taves on the back end with Macar So it's How do you look at the series? mean they split these series. Colorado won three games out of three games. They went to two of the three Look at the scores. All right, Dallas won the first game five three Colorado wins six three game two and a four three overtime victory for Colorado Why would the scoring change here? Why would the scoring change here? And that's gonna affect what I'm looking at when it comes to the betting lines

And I'm to give you a perspective that I believe there's going to be a lot of goals. So I got to like, uh, you know, the value right here is I, I'm going to bet the series, but I'm going to take Colorado in the series minus one 52. I, know, the odds are better that the avalanche won the series and Dallas is odds on, you know, that's a plus. And, uh, I just think two teams going in two different directions. If you look at fan dual, uh, the,

For whatever reason, Fandu only has playoff specials for a series in this series. If I missed it, maybe I missed it, but there's nothing else for any other series other than this one. But one bet that did stand out will be four plus goals on each of these games in the series, plus 135. I just told you the three games they play. It's been lights out. They goal scoring, goal scoring, goal scoring. The Avalanche like to shoot, and they like to give up shots.

Kyle Blondin (35:58.594)
Dallas Stars got firepower you know they're either got a good penalty kill but I see this at least four plus a game give me a break man holy shit 135 yeah give it to me all day DraftKings looking at player props will Nathan McKinnon have one point every game then if you look at his game chart and he lights up the scoreboard he's in a lineup he's got the puck in his hand he's very aggressive he is a hungry player looking to score

I mean there's a lot of players in the NHL consider superstars or stars that you do not notice out them. Nathan McKinnon is not one of them. He's a guy that has the puck on his stick. He's making things happen. If he's not putting the puck in himself, he's popping it to McCarr. He's giving it to Neches. Other guys in that team are gonna score. And we're talking about one point a game. He's gonna be in the, he's the main event, right? He's the main event. So I like that bet, one point a game. What else? Plus...

Miko Rantanen, will he have at least two shots plus 250 in each of these games? I mean, if he doesn't have two shots on net, what was the point of bringing Miko Rantanen in? He's supposed to be that differentiator that the Vals stars believe is gonna pull him over the top. He's a goal scorer. And he's a guy that could get hot and be a factor in the series, like a turning factor. However, is he all?

You know, he was the only a factor because he was with Nathan McKinnon. Well, we're going to find it out. He didn't really put up much in Carolina in a short stint there. Really hasn't blown the doors off in Dallas either. But this is reputations on the line. His reputation is on the line. But if they can get him going, he could be a pretty dominant player, especially on the power play. So that's what I like there. So that's what else they got in this one? No. OK, that's the last one I have on that. So Colorado wins this series. That's my thought.

Okay, first game, I'll take you over by the way. And, sorry, one more bet, which I found late on DraftKings, which I think is a value bet. Plus 300, that won. Just one of the games in this series, and many believe this may go six or seven. So there's six or seven opportunities for this to happen.

Kyle Blondin (38:13.71)
Look at that pause, know, take a drink, anticipation. That one of these games will have 10 or more goals. 6-4, 5-5, 7-6, there's a good chance out of all the series that there'll be a game or more. That the scoreboard will be lit up with goals. So plus 300, and one of these games in this series to go 10 or more goals, I like it and I find there's real value there. The outcome, if teams lose, Dallas Stars, if they crop the bed,

can't win and move on, while they've already locked in Miko Ranton into a contract, I gotta believe that they would look to potentially move on from the Jamie Bens of the world to Tyler Sagan's of the world, look at the roster and look at who's making the million or two million or three million, but really not providing much production. It may look at it like the Tampa Bay Lightning did.

you know, when they had Stephen Stamkoson had a decision to resign him. It looks like they made the right decision to allocate money elsewhere. So the Dallas Stars look like they're in it to win it, but if they do lose this, I think they're going to tinker with the roster and try to, you know, reshuffle the existing lineup, but exit out those aging stars. Like I said, the Sagan's and the Jamie Benz and others, and probably make a radical trade to kind of shake it up, but they're going to be back next year, despite a loss here in the first round.

Colorado Avalanche, well, they're in the Nathan McKinnon window, right? You got Nathan McKinnon, you're never gonna step back. You may reshuffle the deck, right? They may look at the goaltending, that yes, Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgwood have been a tremendous story for the Avalanche midway through the season, early in the season when they picked them up. But I mean, if they're exposed, they're exposed to not be of value because they give up a lot of shots.

that you might see a significant change there and maybe a change in philosophy. However, the Avalanche are gonna come back, win or lose, because you have the Nathan McKinnon and Kale McCarr factor. So that's the story in that series, but I think the Avalanche take it, we'll follow along, see what happens. What other new stories in this series? Not much else. All right, we're gonna move on to the, maybe the Dola series, Yon Fest, and maybe I won't spend as much time here.

Kyle Blondin (40:39.04)
on the series and that is the Carolina Hurricanes play the Sunday afternoon opener that tells you the priority for this group and take on the New Jersey Devils. Carolina. FanDuel has them down as a Stanley Cup favorite. I don't get it. I don't get it. Like Carolina, like, I mean, the reputation is they can't make a run in the playoffs. I mean, they have or did have the roster to do something, to do damage over the last few years.

but either the goaltending pisses away opportunities or they go cold scoring goals. But right now, as of a few days ago, FanDuel hasn't plus 750, DraftKings plus 900 and plus 1100 for Beth365. So I guess they didn't take a step behind Dallas, but that's what it looks like today. Carolina Hurricanes, second in the Metro. They have one Stanley Cup under their belt, 2005-06.

And ironically enough, Rob Brindimore, their head coach was a major factor on that team. So he was part of that team. he, he has seen a cup being raised in Carolina and from the Carolina standpoint, key injuries to pay attention to, you know, really not much as let's say, I shouldn't have said that. Just Barry Kakenyami missed a week at the end of the season. I don't know his availability.

Coming into game one against the Devils, but man he was actually signed to an offer sheet for the Montreal Canadiens a few years back and we believe is in retaliation because the Montreal Canadiens Attempted to sign Sebastian Aho when they did sign him the Carolina Hurricanes matched it this was probably a revenge signing but man you can't make a An emotional decision on your salary cap because he just I don't he's a waste of time capping in or kakunami has done nothing

And really if he's in or out, I just don't see any impact to him on the series at all. Shane Gostabare is an impact. He's missed the end of the season. Should come back, but if he's not, he will be a problem. I don't think if he is out for this series, it's going to radically change the outcome, but you'd probably want him back, full health, contributing to be ready to go on a playoff run.

Kyle Blondin (43:01.496)
Pedally kill, power play wise, the Carolina Hurricanes are 25th. I mean 25th on special teams where you're gonna be tough to find goals and you can't pop goals in on the power play. That's gonna be their Achilles heel. Great, pedally kill, they're number one which will be a factor, but if you can't balance it out with goals, you're gonna be watching round two or round three.

on your couch. Shots on goal. Here's the weird thing, They're number one. Shots on goal allowed 24.9%. That's bad. That's not good. And shots on goal, you know, for them, they average 31.8 goals and they were second in the NHL. So give up a lot of shots and, you know, put the puck on net themselves. the data doesn't tell me anything, right? Are they going to put pucks in or not?

So I'm confused where people's mindsets of the Carolina Hurricanes are necessarily a threat in the East and a threat for the Cup because I don't see it. They're in the show me state. Show me something to believe that you're for real because I don't buy it. I don't buy it at all. Goal tending, they got Peter Kochakov and they got Frederick Anderson. think you'll probably, as long as the Hurricanes in the playoffs.

Robb Rendemore will probably go back and forth depending on who's got the hot hand. I don't think there's that locked in number one he's gonna stick to. So that's, know, they got, and they picked up one of their top prospects, came over from Russia, Alexander Nishka, Nikitian. And you're reading the story here that he actually had to wait for a visa. So he's sitting in Saudi Arabia until he could fly over. So he may become a factor, you don't know.

But you need as much depth as possible and they got nothing to lose by bringing them in and fitting them in where they feel is feel as best. What's going to mark this team really the Carolina Hurricanes in this this season is the mess with Miko Rantanen. You know they get Rantanen you know with the expectation he's going to be that guy he's going to be that guy that's going to put pucks in the net. He's going to be that difference maker they did not have before and they panic they traded them off. think it they.

Kyle Blondin (45:24.41)
I don't know what the plan was. I mean, if you felt that the only way this works is if you got a signature on a long-term contract, why could the Dallas Stars do it and you couldn't? Right? The Dallas Stars, before making the trade to get them from you guys, obviously figured out, got permission, negotiated a deal, put a signature on a contract before they agreed to trade. But if that was your philosophy in Carolina,

What are you doing? What are you doing?

And now you're you know you got Stan Kovan, but you lost natures and you don't have a Miko rantonin Are you really better off? Are you in a better position? I don't think so So you got the core players Sebastian Ajo Leads the way, but he led the team in 78 games with 73 points This team's not shooting the lights out. I'll tell you that right now Seth Jarvis good player centerman 66 points Andrush Chinkov I think he's declined a little bit

He was a younger player. He was more of impactful. He played 69 games this year, 19 goals. And Gostabare, top scoring defenseman, but he's plagued with injury. I think they're gonna limp by the New Jersey Devils. The New Jersey Devils, by the way, are third in the metropolitan. They have three Stanley Cups, 1994, 99, 2002. What's common is Marty Bordur and that New Jersey Devils team that really, really invented or made famous the

Infamous trap the defensive style watching paint dry kind of offense that plagued the NHL for much of the 90s So when you look at the Devils There odds are not good. Let's just let's just say there's not a lot of coin going on the New Jersey Devils There's not a lot of faith with the red and black here So plus 4500 for the faith for the folks on fan duel bat 365 match that plus 4500 and draft Kings a little more faith plus 3000 so

Kyle Blondin (47:25.666)
Maybe there is some money coming in on the Devils, who knows? But when I look at this team, I mean, you look at this team, they're actually pretty good. But they're missing Jack Hughes. He's a franchise player. And I don't think they got the horses to make a difference. They had enough horses to get to that playoff spot, to get to that third seed in the Metro. But what do they got? I mean, they potentially could have a hot goaltender in Jacob Markstrom, right? Jacob Markstrom's a good goaltender.

They got back up Jake Allen if something happens to Markstrom, they're setting it. That's a good start. With Jack Hughes being out, Dougie Hamilton just came back. You know he's an impactful defenseman. When you look down the roster of impactful players, you got Jesper Pratt, Jesper Bratt. 88 points, 79 games, 21 goals, 67 assists. A difference maker, I don't think he's valued to the general NHL fan base that he should be. Actually really good player.

Like I said, Jack Hughes missed significant time when we played 62 games and he was still the second leading goal scorer with 70 points. Nico Heasheer, captain of the Devils, 67 points, played 73 games still. I mean, where's the offense guys? Where's the offense? It's not gonna cut it. Luke Hughes, young defenseman, brother of Jack Hughes if he didn't put that together. He had a good season, 42 points, seven goals, 35 assists, up and coming defenseman.

I don't see any reason why the hurricanes can't walk over the New Jersey Devils. mean, this is something where if I'm looking at a betting perspective, this go more than five, really? Where do the Devils, even if the Carolina Panthers, even though the Carolina Panthers may not light up the scoreboard, they may win these games two one, three one, three nothing. They're just a better team. We'll keep puck possession.

When I look at the odds of alternate spread of the series of Carolina minus two and a half, not one and a half, two and a half. So I'm banking they either sweep the series or win in five plus 170. I think there's value there. I honestly don't think much of Carolina after the series, but I think the devils are weak without Jack Hughes and really not coming in with anything special or any hope that I could see that can happen.

Kyle Blondin (49:46.366)
in a way that they'll come out on top. Also when it comes to player props on DraftKings, Seth Jarvis to have, what did I put here, a game plus two, plus two.

Five or six each game. Hmm, plus two, Is that plus two shots a game? Yeah, yeah, shots and goals, Seth Jarvis to have at least two shots and goal in each of the games in the series, plus 275. One of the main guys in Carolina, like I said, I believe Carolina's gonna have puck possession. They're going to feed Seth Jarvis the puck, whether he scores or not, he's gonna put the puck on net, so I like that. Beth365, looking for the point leader. It's hard to look at beyond Sebastian Ajo.

He's not lighting up the scoreboard compared to other stars in the NHL, but he's plus 300 to lead this series in You know plus 300 to lead the series of points and when you look at the Devils roster I mean is that gonna be spread around if they're gonna score goals at all? And then Sebastian O'Hall is gonna be everywhere. So he's the only guy that's gonna pick up these assists and feeding and scoring goals So I like that value here, but enough said on this Let's look at what happens if one of these like, you know from each perspective they get an early exit in the first round

Carolina's really at a crossroads right now. They are at a crossroads right now. Where what do you do with this franchise? They gotta be putting their hands up if they falter in the first round, which if you lose to the Devils without Jack Hughes, I think you seriously gotta consider the direction of where you're taking this hockey club. Major moves to me, if they putter, can't score goals, can't keep the puck out of the net, I think you're.

I think the Hurricanes are in for a big philosophical change. Philosophical change. It's either tear it down, significant changes, or you take one kick at the can and try to go all in for a Mitch Marner. What else you got to do? You either all in, chips to the middle, or you say, I'm out. I'm going to sit this hand out. I'll see you in a couple of years when we go through the draft. We make some key plays. But this ain't working.

Kyle Blondin (52:00.492)
We want a cup. This formula is not working. So Carolina Hurricanes are going to go one of two directions, not in the middle. They're either going to blow it up, or they're going to go all in and bring in a significant piece like a Mitch Marner, if that is possible. I can't see a middling here. The status quo just ain't cutting it, if for some reason, the Devils walk out with a victory. I don't think they will from a New Jersey standpoint.

They're going to hang their hat on. Jack Hughes was not there. And I can't really believe that the devils can make a true assessment on how they would have had a run if Jack Hughes was in the lineup. I mean, they addressed their goaltending. You know, they got Jacob Markstrom, they had Jake Allen. I believe that's no longer an issue and that was the issue in years past. And I think you just needed healthy Jack Hughes and probably, you'll probably looking.

at making a splash as well. You may have to look at your roster and look at Niko Hishir. He's a good player. But if you're talking about massaging the cap to put in impact players, you have to think about shifting those good players, really good players, to compliment your superstar, which is a Jack Hughes. Your up and coming superstar defenseman, Luke Hughes. You have to shift the chair somewhere where there's a change, but I believe that they'll probably take the approach that

We're going to stay the status quo and go into the playoffs next year with a healthy Jack Hughes. So we'll see what happens there. So that's the Devils Carolina series from my eyes. Now the series that most interests me and most interests everybody in this area and maybe in all of Ontario is the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators kick off on Sunday night. The Leafs one more time. Head into the playoffs.

Looking to make the run that everybody expected the days when Austin Matthews Mitch Marner came to town and really expected it when John Tavares was added to that group. Has it happened? No reputation. They choke reputation of the core four. Austin Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner and William Nylander is that they choke. They do not perform. They can't handle the tough tight checking of the Florida pan.

Kyle Blondin (54:27.622)
The Tampa Bay Lightning, those kind of teams, the Boston Bruins, in those tight series they cannot perform as they do in the regular season. But hey, we're going to get into it. It's a good thing. They did what they needed to do this year, and that is be number one and win the Atlantic division to avoid those said Florida teams. Let them beat each other up as we'll get to that series a little later. With the Toronto Maple Leafs finish number one in the Atlantic, from a betting perspective,

that plus 1300 on FanDuel to win the cup, plus 1000 on Bet365, and DK, have it your way, plus 1200 on DraftKings.

So not a lot of faith in the community. But did you know, you non-hockey fans, did you know, you non-league fans, that this franchise actually has 13 Stanley Cups? Keep in mind, the last one was in 1967, the 66-67 season, when there was only six teams, the original six, should be noted. I mean, I have not seen a championship in my lifetime. I have not seen them make a finals run in my lifetime.

I've seen four conference appearances, which I will say this city here in Toronto goes absolutely ape shit. When the Leafs are on a run, everybody's opening doors for each other, honking horns, thumbs up, high five in, strangers sharing beers, cheers in. We love the momentum when the Leafs make a good old fashioned run. And this city would explode. the city would shut down. All right, this would be

unprecedented on a celebration. I don't care what sport. I think this would be an unprecedented celebration if they actually would make a run. Will they? Well, the jury's out on that. I'll go through it. I'll give you my opinion. Is key injuries. They're pretty, at least pretty healthy actually. David Kemp was comps. What if I can't, I don't want to mess up his name. Day to day, I'm sure he'll be available for the playoffs. Max Patcheretti.

Kyle Blondin (56:35.992)
been away for a long period of time, he may be available at some point in the playoffs as a depth piece, and he may fit in that top six unit some way somehow, but he's not out of the picture, which is a good sign. Oliver Ackman-Larson, I think was day-to-day, and also Jake McCabe day-to-day, but I Jake McCabe played against the Red Wings, he should be good to go. So as far as health, the Leafs are probably in the best situation they've been in a long time. And you look at their power play percentage, they're seventh in the NHL.

Coming into the playoffs. I didn't like how the power play looks in last few games. This is a team that I believe can Hang their hat on The power play the power play to me is critical that they have an effective dangerous Lights out dominant power play that can be the difference maker in any team that they face if that power play is you know unable to be productive

They're gonna be in a shit show of trouble. Let's just face it. When they're five on four, their best players have to dominate. That has to be the difference maker. So that power play is key to me. Penalty kill, they're 19th, whatever, mid-world, it's okay. Face-off percentage, those stuck out to me. They're second in the NHL face-off percentage. NHL's all about possession, right? So if you got the Austin Matthews, John Tavares, those little world winning face-offs at that high rate, that puts the Leafs in a better spot.

Goaltending solid. I would say solid, right? They can go between Joseph Wall and Anthony Stollers. I gotta believe Stollers will be the guy they ride, but I think you will see a Joseph Wall appearance at some point in the playoffs, if not back to, you know, if they don't maybe even share the net, but pretty solid. Hopefully both goaltenders can stay healthy. From a season standpoint, Mitch Marner over 102 points. First time, he was always stuck on the late 90s, got ahead of it.

Austin Matthews hit goal number 400 William Nylander offensive Difference maker John Tavares having a great season score 38 goals if not more based on the game against Detroit I didn't really monitor and he's a free agent along with Mitch Marner which could contribute to their You know desire to be you know, really motivated to put up production and put up points Big paydays are in store for Mitch Marner and John Tavares

Kyle Blondin (59:04.813)
uh... from standpoint uh... uh... from for if they can produce the playoffs matthew nice here's your difference maker matthew nice matthew nice your difference maker guys he's your gun power forward will be restricted free agent he had twenty nine goals fifty five points again if i missed a goal my apologies should have time to circle back to that meaningless detour game so he's a guy that needs to stand out and if he produces like he did in the regular season becomes the force

Leeds got something going here, they got something special. They have some decent lines, man. They got some depth, right? So see what happens there. Again, these are the Toronto Maple Leafs. got Mitch Marner, JT, Jon Tavares, unrestricted free agents, Matthew Nyes. I'll get to what that means if they bow out in the first round. Now you got the Ottawa Senators. Ottawa Senators are playing with house money right now. have...

You know, the second, they've got the first wild card spot. They played a pretty damn good season. Had some significant time at the end there without Brady Kichuck. You know, but the odds are not for them. Let's say that. I mean, if you really like the Senators to make a playoff run and a Stanley Cup winning run, I just can't see it. I don't see it. But plus 3,800 on FanDuel, plus 3,300 on Bat365. Draft Kings plus 3,500, which is pretty damn good. They have zero.

Stanley cups, okay. Key injuries, Brady Kichuck looks to be back, but he was out for a while, so he's their most impactful player. Interesting because this is probably his time to shine, right? This tighter checking, rough, physical, this is what Brady Kichuck is gonna be all about. And almost like, when they get pumped by the Leafs, and I think they will get pumped, I wonder if the eyes will open that.

You know, he looks at this as, this my max? Is this the best we can hope for? Is that we're going to be a team and a franchise that struggles each year to just make the playoffs, be a low seed and get pummeled, maybe squeak out a first round win. But do I envision myself making a cup run here in Ottawa? And look at my brother. He's coming off two back to back, sorry, he's coming off back to back Stanley Cup appearances. He owns a ring and

Kyle Blondin (01:01:31.338)
know the Florida Panthers look to be potentially making another run. I think you'll see follow here. I think Brady Kichuck will have a strong series but I also believe that at some point he's going to pull the trigger that I want out despite the contract he signed.

Powerplay 15th in the NHL 17th on the PK so they're mid row you know for for these key stats Now it's what's interesting. I just talked about the Leafs being number two and face-off percentage Well, the Sensors are number four so it's something to keep in mind that does Toronto's number two status negate the strength of the Senators getting possession? Does that change everything or vice versa? I don't know

If you're to see upsets, mean, it's going to be the first round. The NHL has traditionally never been a guarantee for any series that you see. So keep that in mind. If you look at the history, it's not unfathomable that there's a first round upset. I just don't see it happening here. I do think that the Maple Leafs talent supersedes the Ottawa talent. I mean, the Senators do have Tim Stutzla had a good season, 75 points. Drake Batherson.

Jake Sanderson great young defenseman Brady Kachuk and Klaus Yerou to top it off as a veteran presence bringing an experience Goaltending they picked up Linus Olmert from the Boston Bruins last year difference maker and in the NHL playoffs of goaltender stands on his head That's a problem for any team that can't score. So I mean the potentials there Linus Olmert could be a difference maker again. I don't see it So where do we go from here? I do believe the least pummel them

Some of the bets that I like in this series include, at least, first game, actually game one, to go over five and a half. As I stated earlier, I do believe there'll probably be more scoring early in the first round in many of these series versus later in the playoffs. So now is the time to strike, and the five and a half might be almost by low and sell high. Series spread. Now, let's be very honest with each other here.

Kyle Blondin (01:03:40.066)
Do you envision this series going beyond six games?

Do you envision that the Toronto Maple Leafs are not gonna wind up victorious in this series? Well, I don't. So the value here is that if you have the Toronto Maple Leafs are minus 105 to win by, the win by, no, plus 114 to win by two or more games. There's no way this is going seven. Come on, not happening. Bet365 also has Mitch Marner to lead the series at plus 350.

You know what? It's all about the power play. He's the guy with the puck in his hands and he's feeding Austin Math. He's feeding the point. He's feeding the William Nylanders. So he's going to be the guy touching the puck, picking up, you know, not just scoring goals, not having first assists, but he's going to be the guy picking up the second assists. So plus 350, good value. Now the fallout. The Ottawa Senators fallout. The only thing I believe is going to happen is you have maybe Brady Kachuk. What's his mindset like? Does he want out?

which is a radical negative for the the other senators if that is the case that that will set the franchise back significantly from a Toronto Maple Leaf standpoint well

Whoa, if they get knocked off by the Ottawa Senators, I cannot fathom a Brendan Shanahan, you know, president of hockey operations, sitting in front of reporters still stating, I believe in the core four. If you're the Toronto Maple Leafs and lose this series against the Ottawa Senators, and keep in mind, your accomplishment in the regular season was to do exactly what you did, and that is win the Atlantic division to put yourself in the best position you could.

Kyle Blondin (01:05:27.31)
not a guaranteed position, there's no pushovers in the NHL in today's parity. But if you're knocked off by the Ottawa Senators after winning the Atlantic Division, your peak players, your guys in the prime, admittedly look the best they've ever looked. Like Austin Matthews, you know, now mid-20s looks like a man. Like he's absolutely using his strength as part of his repertoire to keep possession of the puck, the brains, the getting right spots.

like 200 foot game, Mitch Marner getting over the hundred point mark, John Tavares looking good, right? And you got the Matthew Nyes, who's been very effective and it seems to be growing in his career to be a power forward in the NHL. You got some good depth, you're getting solid goaltending. Now is the time to make that run. And if you fizzle out whether it be round one or round two, it's time for significant changes. You do not sniff.

Mitch Marner resigning. And if you do, it's on your terms. You're not blowing your brains out to sign a Mitch Marner where somebody else is going to overpay for him to lock Mitch Marner in. If he can't perform, that equals I'm a loser in the playoffs. I cannot perform in the playoffs. I don't care if he scores 200 points in the regular season. If your goal is to raise the Stanley Cup and you walk away with a loss in round one, even round two, then you got to go in a different direction and say, Mitch Marner,

Thanks for the time, but it's goodbye. We're going to find another solution out there. I'm sorry. That's way it's got to be. Same with JT. You got to have a look at what makes sense. have a line where you're to pay him, but you have to make significant changes to the roster if this fails. You're not going to go scorched earth because of the fact that Austin Matthews is signed, and many of these guys are going to be around a while. You got to hope that you send a restricted free agent to Matthew Nyes.

But if you stick to the same goddamn group that if they glues, then I might walk away from this team as a fan. I don't care about Mitch Marner. I don't give a shit if he scores, like I said, 200 points. If they cannot perform and effectively at least get to the conference championship and feel in a loss that everything, a bounce here, a bounce there turned their way instead of getting dominated, then I'm out. I'm out, guys. I just, I can't do it.

Kyle Blondin (01:07:57.282)
So it's a significant franchise altering time for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Out of all these teams, this is the team with the significant, eyes open approach to this first and second round, because that's what you need to be, at least. And this is the biggest impactful series of a loss. This is the team most affected.

by a first round loss, even a second round loss in the NHL. That's my thought.

Woo! That leaf rant, man. These guys drive you crazy. Now we're gonna move on. Minnesota Wild, Vegas Gold Nights, and we continue on here.

Let me clear the voice Vegas Gold Knights finished first in the West Won a Stanley Cup a few years back two years back to be exact 22-23 season This is the franchise that keeps on going right from the get-go They're going to compete the moves they make the franchise all three moves that they make the player personnel decisions are based on always putting themselves in a window of contention

And for some reason they do it right and it works, right? You know that they traded away Nick Suzuki as an example. He's part of the Montreal Canadiens. He's actually their captain. Great player. But you know, the bigger pitcher for the Vegas Gold Knights, they're going to players. Players want to play there. And FanDuel are plus 750. Bet365 plus 850. DK, they're plus 1000.

Kyle Blondin (01:09:43.086)
Key injuries Jack Ico looks a little banged up. I don't see it being significant upper body injury Alex Petrangelo undisclosed. I don't know what his availability is. I haven't caught the latest on that. So somebody keep an eye on somebody keep an eye on I Don't know if it's gonna be an impactful Difference enough where you know at this stage of the playoffs they will change anything for the Minnesota Wilds success against the Knights power play second in the NHL

and penalty kill 23rd so they give up goals. However, if you look at some of the special stats that make the Vegas Knights stand out, goals allowed, they're third so they keep the puck out of the net. Aiden Hill, shots on goal, fourth, they pumple, they pumple. They pummel the opposition, 30.1 average shots on net. Goals are fifth, scoring an average 3.33 goals a game. Penalty minutes, they are second.

They only take 5.7 minutes per game on average. When I'm looking at this roster too, right? Maybe this team is the one poised to take a run. It really looks like it. They're very balanced. They've done it before. You look at Jack Eichel, 93 points a season. Mark Stone, if he can stay healthy. Impact, especially in the playoffs. Thomas Hurdle, 59 points. Shay Theodore on the point.

Along with that Elch Patrangelo and Noel Hannafin Ivan Barber's Barber's have Barber's whatever 50 50 points they have What it takes to make a run? I mean Aiden Hill surprising me this guy was on the roster for the four nations for team Canada Stanley Cup winner He's actually been an impact player before being a journeyman in his previous stints in other places Watch out for the Knights men. They're gonna make a run

the significant you'll hear about this run a little bit later uh... on to the minnesota wild no cups in their uh... not so long history they've been around a while plus forty one hundred a fan duel to win the cup 365 has a 4500 and dk a little more optimistic have it your way 3500 for the minnesota wild the race to stanley cup penalty kill 19th in the nhl sorry paraplay 19th in the nhl not so special

Kyle Blondin (01:12:06.424)
Penalty kill 30th. What was the Knights power play? Second? 30th? Second? 30th? Second? 30th? Does that seem like a problem to you? Well, it seems like the problem to the Wild. So maybe this is where they get lit up and this is the difference maker, right? It's no surprise that Vegas is 3-0 against the Wild this season. Close games, however, know, Close is not winning, so I see the Wild struggling.

in this series. You know, they got really no key injuries, which is solid. They got all their guys back. They got, they got, they got players, Matt Boldy led the team with 73 points. have a Capriol, Kaprizov, which is, he is an impact player, was an injury short in 41 games this year. But if he can go off, they got a shot potentially. I don't think much of one, but they got a shot. Matt Zuccarello.

marco rossi centerman sixty points frederick underst and center sorry for the good road icons good rope so happen to us this while this is going to be a pretty quick series i don't think was much to look at here it's kinda like what drive on the freeway cn accident you know what you just gonna drive on you made if you had overwatch it but i think this is a you know for got conclusions tonight's gonna at easily handle this team

If I look at a batting standpoint, know, the day is called nights or minus 235 in the series. And I think it's going to be a pretty significant. All night, so plus 140 to win this game by two or more, two or more. No way. No, I don't get that. Those odds take it. Sorry, minus one of five. My bad. Game one, I meant to plus one 40 for the nights to win two goals or more. I think there's value there.

Also, DK Jack Eichel... Actually, no, DK. I was going to bring this up. that player specials? seems to be at the spot where these later series have not populated DK specials. So look forward to that. Just don't have them available now. Bet365 Jack Eichel plus 350 to lead this series in scoring, meaning points. I like that. He's going to be their impact player. We'll come back to more general bets, which will include the Vegas Golden Knights later.

Kyle Blondin (01:14:28.622)
But that's all I got to say about this fallout Man if the Vegas Golden Knights lose this series, I expect them to do some reloading some way somehow I don't know how they manage the cap better than anybody else I don't know if it's a hey five I don't know how they do it But they've wind up having a strong team heading into the playoffs signing contracts to their favor the caps gonna go up I don't expect them to change their philosophy whether they make a Stanley Cup run Whether they get knocked out in the first round

It's gonna be reload and let's go. Let's go. So that doesn't change for the Vegas Gold Knights. Minnesota Wild, to me they're right. They're one of those insignificant teams at the moment. Let me eke my way into the playoffs. Maybe I get a first round upset. They're kind of like that Ottawa scenario. Really, they're like a rudderless ship. Got some nice talent, but until you get serious.

Alright, come back later. There's nothing happening here. There's not much to say about the Minnesota Wilds really at all. So that's story on the Vegas Knights and the Minnesota Wilds. next up is the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs, the Abiton take on the Washington Capitals, the number one team in the Eastern Conference. Last time these two met in the playoffs, not record the year. The Montreal Canadiens went on a run.

They went through the Washington Capitals. So here's our take on this series. The Washington Capitals, number one team in the Eastern Conference. Really no respect. Plus 1000 FanDuel. 365 plus 1000. 1100 on DK. The Caps have won Stanley Cup under their belt 2017-18. Really, I think significant because you we want OV, the leading NHL goal scorer of all time. Has to have a ring.

and he deserved the ring, earned the ring, so kudos to him, one of the greats of the NHL, one of the greats I've ever seen, best goal, pure goal scorer.

Kyle Blondin (01:16:33.944)
So kudos to him, fan favorite. It's hard to get, he's a guy that you want to see be successful. That's just, you know, whether he's got a cup or not, you might want to see him have to. I wouldn't be disappointed if that was the case, but this cap team, we're getting into a scary scenario here, man. I do not like the Montreal Canadiens at all when it comes to a lock to lose in that first round. There's something about the aura of the Montreal Canadiens where

They have somebody or some guys get friggin red hot and usually the goaltending and maybe it's a Sam Montalbo here. But from the caps perspective, when they look at their key injuries, Logan Thompson, goaltender, he's day to day will it be a hundred percent in net? And he's good. He was the guy carrying the load for the capitals. We know about Nick Baxter. He was done early in the season, but really didn't impact the, you know, and also TJ Oshie was done. Both players in the past significant.

PILLARS to the Washington Capitals however really weren't much of this teams success this year but they're out just worth noting. Powerplay number 13 in the NHL even with OV popping goals in at that those one timers really mid row in the NHL. Paddly Kill was pretty impressive they were fifth in the NHL. Some other stats to stand out by the Washington Capitals 29th penalty minutes

I this is really an open wound right here, man. If you're taking penalties, that could be where the Montreal Canadiens step in and have a chance. If that habit continues in the playoffs. Shooting percentage, man, they're number one. Every 12.7 shots results in a goal. Goal percentage, they were second. The average 3.51 goals a game.

But their stock might be down leading into the playoffs here. mean, Washington kind of is limping in after the OV record was broken, the Gretzky record that is. Dillon Strom led the team 78 points. OV with 43 goals. He actually, think it's 44 now because of that last game. Pier-Luc Dubois, Tom Wilson, they're a big team. I mean, maybe built for the playoffs.

Kyle Blondin (01:18:51.342)
Pirloic Dubois pops up every so often as an impactful player then a team wants to get rid of him aka the Jets aka the Kings really underachieving player but has had a season this year Tom Wilson though is an impactful player so are they going to be able to push the Canadians around potentially? absolutely potentially but if there is a series I think that that might result in a potential upset not saying it's gonna happen but this is it this is it with the Habs

I know we're playing with house money here, it's going to the Habs. They're plus 11,000 to win the Stanley Cup. It wasn't a line when I checked on 365, I'm sure it's there today. And DK plus, you know, 10,000. Habs, get no respect, not shocking. They're the last team to get into the playoffs. Kirby Dock is the only guy really significantly out, but was out for a lengthy period of time, not really a part of this run, or an in-pack player.

That I see that impacts anything going to this round 21 21st and power play percentage Not necessarily red-hot 9th and penalty kill penalty minutes again two teams 26 in opposite directions, so they don't take a lot of penalties compared to the Washington Capitals shots on goal The lowest 25.6 on average Yeah, so there you go no, sorry shots on goal giving up 25.6. Sorry

So that's not good. I mean, that should favor the caps. The Montreal Canadiens, if you didn't know and you have no idea about the history of the NHL, own the most Stanley Cups 24. Last one being in 92, 93. So big, long, successful history of the Montreal Canadiens. As a Leaf fan, it's such a mean to say it, but it's true. They ran the NHL for a lengthy period of time. No longer, but I mean, they're not.

beyond a major upset. So watch out Nick Suzuki, young captain for the Montreal Canadiens, 87 points, Cole Caulfield. These guys are a good duo on the ice. Lane Hudson, potential probably odds on favorite to win the Calder for rookie of the year. Had a great season, D-man for 65 points, impact player, impactful in their Stanley Cup run. We talked about Sive Yurozsivkovsky, left winger for the Montreal Canadiens. First,

Kyle Blondin (01:21:18.41)
First overall pick a couple years back first overall in a pretty weak draft. However Do see him as a potential guy the where the class may suit being tight checking utilizing his strength so he may be somebody to watch Brandon Gallagher and he is I Think his early 30s, but I swear he's been around for 20 years the Montreal Canadiens compared to the rest of the team is the elder statesman

I talked about Sam Montalvo in net, your cup Dubas, Dubas Czech Republic goaltender. Pretty solid in net. mean, Martin St. Louis got this team going. So again, I don't know if it's going to result in an upset, but if there's an upset, it's not going to surprise me. It's the Montreal Canadiens. And really not much to talk about.

you know if you like the offset plus 220 I wouldn't put too much on that

Dk has plus... yeah, that's when you got Ovi in the series. Dk has a fun bet if you like to believe that there's gonna be at least one hat trick in this series, probably Ovi, plus 200, maybe worth a look. And the series over... Point half, what the hell that mean? yeah, sorry, that was the hat trick. The hat trick was the only play I would thought was...

know something worth mentioning so that's what i gotta say about that washington if they get bowed out here it looks like as long as ovi is with the capitals they're gonna try to keep a team that's gonna make a run i don't know if that changes because he really pumped those pucks in the net this year that broke the record that maybe was thought was going to go over to next year so pretty interesting if they get knocked out

Kyle Blondin (01:23:14.435)
There might be a change or two, but I think they're pretty locked into the roster they have.

The only thing you might see is somehow to clear up cap room that you got the Nick Baxter's of the world that may his career might be over Getting traded somewhere else to you know change the accounting. That's it when it comes to Montreal Canadians Here's the risk that the Montreal Canadians have is that they made a tremendous run here where they made the playoffs But are they over are they gonna move ahead their agenda and their timeline?

Maybe, is that a mistake? Possibly. Are they gonna make a mistake and try to sign a free agent for the sake of signing a free agent to an ugly contract to try to make that next step? There's a real possibility that they may do that. So watch out, Montreal. I mean, you got a good build here. Just be careful you sign the right free agent and not the free agent for the sake of.

You've seen that a few times in the NHL. they could be on the right track. They got to be very smart, but they may jump the gun and sign somebody they'll regret later. All right, moving on to the second last series we're going to cover here. And that is the Tampa Florida series. Now this is the series that the Toronto Maple Leafs like because you're looking at two significant teams that you want to see beat the living shit out of each other.

the battle of florida and you want to walk through the sentence as a trontel maple leaf fan in five or six games let this tampa florida game or series go the distance let these guys drop off like fives whether they're not 100 % or maybe don't make it through the series that might sound bad but that's just the way it's going to be the tampa bay lightning are probably the most forgettable not by me i'm just saying i believe they're being forgotten that that they

Kyle Blondin (01:25:17.518)
are not too long in the past where they were in the Stanley Cup final, a three in a row Stanley Cup run, two of which resulted in Stanley Cups. They've won three Stanley Cups in their franchise history, 2003, 2004, way back and recently, 1920 and 2021. And much of this roster is still latent with that talent, but also reloading in a few areas. And we'll talk about that in a bit. FanDuel has them down plus 1200, plus 1200 on 365.

and plus 900 on DK. What a series, right? This is a tight series. think the foregone conclusion to many is that the Florida Panthers is gonna walk over the Lightning. Not so much, guys, not so much. Watch out. This Lightning team has got some answers to questions that are being asked. I mean, from an injury standpoint, Oliver Bjorkstrand is out week to week. I don't know what his availability is gonna be in the series. Luke Glendening out, no timeline.

So will they make an impact in the series? I don't know, but they got enough depth that I think they can overcome it. Power play percentage for the Lightning, fifth in the NHL, seventh in penalty kill. So very solid on both ends. They're loaded on weapons on the power play, and we'll talk about those. Shooting percentage, second in the NHL, which is significant. Goals, first in the NHL. That means they put up 3.59. So offensively, they got what it takes. They got the horses, right? And you look at this roster.

Nikita Kucherov, 83 assists, 119 points, 36 goals, game changer, right? Two time Stanley Cup champion. He is a player. He's gonna put up points. Brandon Hagel, 79 points. Brayden Point, man, this guy is a player. Brayden Point, there's a reason why he was an impact in the Four Nations. Victor Headman on the point. But what I wanna point out is that a franchise like Tampa Bay smartly looked at their roster last year and said, look,

We got to kind of reshuffle. got the guns here that are going to be impactful. So let's look at our roster. Stephen Stamkos was not a guy that they could afford to resign to a big contract to impact the cap. Yes, it was a nice potential story to bring him back. However, I believe they did the right thing. They sacrificed.

Kyle Blondin (01:27:41.196)
You know, a good, nice, wholesome story for the fact that they get signed Jake Getzel. Replaced with a younger, more impactful talent that was the right play. They put themselves in a better position to go up against a Florida Panther team. He had 79 points this year, scoring 40 goals, which is impactful. This is a smart franchise that knows where they're at in the pecking order. And to make a move like replacing a Stamkos for a Getzel,

very smart, organizationally very smart. So, Andre Vasquez, veteran goaltender, Stanley Cup champion, significant piece. When you got him, there's a chance that you might do some damage here. But on the other side, you got a Bobrovsky. know, Sergey Bobrovsky is a significant player, a significant impact goaltender of the Florida Panthers.

Defending Stanley Cup champions, the one Stanley Cup came last year, 2023-24 season. Amathika Chuck is going to be coming off an injury. It looks like he'll be ready, but he missed significant time heading into the playoffs. He's a factor. Is he 100 %? Don't know. Aaron Echblad, a star defenseman, 20 game suspension will end midway through the series of League Game 3. He'll be available, was missed due to suspension, due to drugs.

I feel there's better word for it. He'll return. And this team loaded up, right? They went out and got Seth Jones, defenseman out of Chicago, significant piece, really committed to him. Not for this season just, but beyond that. And you have Brad Marchand, who never ever looked like he was going to be wearing a jersey other than a Boston Bruin jersey, but not so. Bruins were smart. They're not going in the direction they wanted to, so they unloaded Brad Marchand.

So he can make a cup run. He's happy. Bruins are going to be happy. So smart there. They're trying to load up. How healthy are they going to be? I don't know. From the season standpoint, they were 11th in the power play. They were 10th penalty kill. So they were mid-roll, but they're really loading up for the playoffs. Really focused, you know, was making another cup run. This would be a third top appearance if that's what they're going to do. Shots on goal, third. So they put the puck on net.

Kyle Blondin (01:30:03.534)
Shotzen go a loud force. They allow pucks on net because they have the confidence in Sergei Bobobsky. So he is definitely, he's the best goalie in the playoffs heading in right now. I don't care about Connor Hellebock or anybody else. I put my money on Bobobsky. The Tampa Bay Lightning are gonna have to do something significant and they can. The potential's there to put pucks behind him. Sam Reinhardt, Barkov, Kichuk, Verhagen, Sam Bennett, Marchand.

Significant players here. So how's this series it's from a betting perspective Play out there is the floor Tampa Bay. There's slight underdogs 1s 105 on 365. So could go either way Do I expect it to go? Tampa's way I Do I really do I think this time that the Tampa Bay Lightning or surprise not being respected They have the guns to go through the Florida Panthers here. I think it's gonna happen

So when we look at the odds on for the betting Sam Reinhardt to have four more goals in a series that may go six or seven plus 195. Yeah, Sam Reinhardt of the Panthers. Give me that action. Four more goals. Jake Getzel plus 230 to have four more goals. Yeah, give it to me, right? And Nikita Kutrov plus 425 to have five goals in the series. I think you're gonna really see one game where he dominates and puts

at least he has a hat trick in the series let's let's say that any game to go to OT double OT well I guess if there's a series it's gonna have a game that goes to double OT a plus 350 I'm aiming high to put some cheddar on this one plus 350 could happen double overtime in this series so what happens to fall out if

things don't go their way in the first round, well Tampa, I think they tinker but I think they feel the rosters in a good spot. If they lose to the defending Stanley Cup champions, I don't think that's panic time, so they reload in some way somehow but I don't think they break up the band too much. The Florida Panthers, if they lose I think that's a significant blow but I gotta believe that they are gonna make another run at it, so both teams I believe will have status quo with obviously

Kyle Blondin (01:32:23.114)
making some tinkering along the way. Now, final series. We have the Edmonton Oilers taking on the best home record, LA Kings. And again, I said at the start of this podcast, which was almost over an hour and a half ago, was that the LA Kings and the Edmonton Oilers are meeting for the fourth consecutive year in the first round, spiced up by the fact that there was some bad blood

in that last game that the Edmonton Oilers probably brought their less than stellar team. Now that's a fact, they didn't. And you know, kind of got under the skin of the LA Kings. Some quotes that you know, felt like the Oilers were trying to harm the Kings knowing that they ought to meet in the first round. Hey, kudos to the Oilers if that's what their plan was. If they felt it was going to give them an advantage. Oilers plus 950 to win Stanley Cup, must 900 on 365.

950 was FanDuel plus 900 on DK. So where do we go from here, right? also, Edmonton, Illinois has got to the Stanley Cup final in their history. They have five Stanley Cups, made a Stanley Cup appearance last year, game seven, losing to the Florida Panthers. Are they the same team that's gonna make a run here again? Well, they arguably got the two best players in the world on the roster ready to go.

But they may be in a position right now where the two top players in the world are going to have to carry the Edmonton Oilers more than they did in previous years. And here's why. You have even, even Dreisle's a little banged up. He should be good to go in game one. But you have Trent Frederick doubtful for game one. Zach Hyman, he could be ready, but how healthy is he? Will Evander Kane make an appearance in this series?

Big blow, Matthias Ekholm, defenseman, rock solid defenseman, not going to be available in this first round for the Edmonton Oilers. You know, they brought in John Klingberg. I don't know what his stat, he's been gone. He's really fizzled out as being anything of an impactful signing for the Edmonton Oilers. And now there's still questions about their goaltending. Stuart Skinner had a great playoff run last year, really solidified himself as a valued member of the Edmonton Oilers.

Kyle Blondin (01:34:47.698)
And one of the reasons why they made that cup run. But the jury is still out on Stuart Skinner. Again, going into these, he's kind of faltered off. Their power play ninth in the NHL, penalty kill 16th. This team's in real trouble. This team's real trouble. They lost to a nice advantage. I mean, they were banged up for a lengthy period of time, losing significant players for, they probably dropped points they didn't want to drop. Four nations really taxed some of their great players, like Conor McDavid, no question about it.

and they drop significant points and put the LA Kings in a better position than they've probably ever been to knock this Oilers team off. So this is a very interesting battle for a fourth straight year. Kings are the best home team in the NHL. They are not flashy. I'll tell you that right now. They are not flashy. Just the fan in me hopes that the Oilers can knock the Kings off because I don't want a team that spreads out their scoring.

I mean, they're a pretty good team. Don't question about it, but not appealing on the eyes. Let's say that. So the Kings plus 2100 to win the cup from FanDuel 1800 on 365. DK has him at plus 2000. They have two Stanley Cups under their belt, 2011-12, 2013-14. And some of the players to watch out for the Kings, Andre Kempi. Like he led the team with 68 points. That tells you what you need to know.

about the entertainment value of the LA Kings. From a betting perspective, it's not a better entertainment, it's about results. So I'm not gonna confuse the two. Sometimes I do when it comes to betting, but the LA Kings are not easy on the eyes when it comes to watching. The veteran, Anzhi Kopitar, 65 points. Kevin Fiala, 56 points. Quentin Byfield, early first round pick a few years back, 53 points. Big, strong kid. Might make a difference here in this series. He's getting closer and closer to his prime. Penalty kill.

Sorry, power play, 25th in the NHL. Again, another red flag for entertainment value. Penalty kill, 6. Again, this team is significantly successful on keeping the puck out and putting the puck in. 825 home winning percentage, best in the NHL, 35. Sorry, 31, 5, and 4. Man, it's just all, blah, boring, but dangerous.

Kyle Blondin (01:37:15.534)
Dangerous, dangerous, Darcy Kemper, David Riddich, not really strong in that. mean, Darcy Kemper gets the job done, but it's the goals allowed, for example, 20, they're, only allow 2.44 goals a game. That's because they're very good defending. Let's not kid ourselves. That's their bread and butter. Now, from a betting perspective, let's look into what we got and...

looking at from a perspective that the oilers are going to rely heavy on their megastars, not superstars, we're putting to another level of megastars.

Where's the papers? Where's the papers? Where is the Montreal? Where's my papers? Kings, Kings, Kings. yeah, okay, here we go. All right, Oilers, Kings, right now, Dreisaitl to have five or more goals in this series, plus 500. The guy led the NHL in goals. He's the focal point of the offense when it comes to the power play. There's a chance that he got multi-po...

multi-goal games in multiple games in this series. So plus 500, five goals or more for Leon Dreisaitl. I like it. Connor McDavid, four goals or more, 235. I like it. There's value there.

Plus.

Kyle Blondin (01:38:41.336)
Sorry, Dry Saddle also four goals or more plus 235. I think that's a lock to me despite the defensive prowess of the LA Kings. And plus Whitty 185, you notice it's a little lower than the other series. For a hat trick, McDavid, Dry Saddle, one of them is going to go off. If not, a healthy Zach Hyman might also benefit from a hat trick. I like it. Plus 160, McDavid leads the series in points.

Who else is going to lead the series in points? Who's going to have the puck on their stick? It's going to be Conor McDavid. I don't care what defensive game plan. You may slow him down, but he's going to produce. He's the best player in the world, hands down the most impactful player in the NHL, regardless of what you do to try to slow him down.

Goals, yeah, leading the series in goals, Beth365, is Leon Drysaddle plus 300. How can you not like that one? So there's a good chance the LA Kings might knock the Edmonton Oilers off. The Edmonton Oilers are limping into the playoffs and do not look like the team that went into last year's playoffs with injury and maybe lower performance.

That doesn't mean it can't change and the significance of how a Leon Dreisaitl and a Conor McDavid can just take over. Absolutely take over. So let's hope the Oilers win, but it's gonna be in the backs of the two horses. So that's it for the series. Edmonton Oilers, if they don't win.

Kyle Blondin (01:40:21.166)
Man, think obviously McDavid and Dreisel are not going anywhere. They do probably have to have different philosophies and have to keep reshuffling the deck. What's the future of Ryan Nugent Hopkins, man? He's a nice little player, but is he producing at the clip of a first overall pick? No, but I think you're beyond that thinking anyway. Do you have to utilize something to get a goaltender? I mean, they've tried to sign free agents and make trades for goaltenders and it doesn't work out.

Unless somebody significant significant is there I don't know if you go away from Stuart Skinner and try allocating resources I Think you might allocate resources for you know Bottoms, you know top six forward they can make more of an impact maybe a proven impact But it's all gonna be on the it's gonna be on the shoulders dry saddle in McDavid You got you have to you know, you do have to change some of the other actors

but it's all gonna be them. Simple as that, you're go back to the well. The LA Kings, boring. I know, got Will Ferrell, the elf, watching your games. You got a great home record, but let's ask yourself, do you have the horses to knock off? Let's say the Edmonton Oilers next year in your fifth time. If you don't do it this year, if you had fours cracks at it you can't do it, it's time to look.

You know, for a different roster makeup. Anzai Kopitar, great, know, hey, great to be here, but he's not gonna get you anywhere anymore. His Stanley Cup years are behind him. You're gonna have to rely on the Quinton Bifields and what do you surround him with? And maybe the Kings go out, and I talked to a few teams, you start bidding war for Mitch Marner. Guys, that's it. You wanna change the culture? You know, it's opposite of what the Leafs would do. You'd probably say goodbye because

He wasn't getting you close to a Stanley Cup, but he's a shiny new toy for the LA Kings. So you make that change. You look for that team that's dumping and also looking for radical change and moving to maybe pick up a defenseman. And you jump in there because you want that forward. You need to make that move, guys. Kings, you cannot stay sagging going into another year if the Oilers knock you off. They are better than you and not going anywhere. The Vegas Knights are going to reload.

Kyle Blondin (01:42:47.182)
They're not going anywhere. There are other up and coming teams that are not, they're gonna be coming from somewhere and you're gonna be left behind to be in. A playoff, maybe get home a nice advantage. You'll never get out of that second or third seed. If that's your bar you wanna set, you're already there. If you wanna set the bar higher, you need to make a change, a philosophical change of your Nelly King. That being said, moving on to some general bets and final thoughts on the NHL and leading into the playoffs.

Some interesting bets, is where Bet365 has some cool ones. I know it's already on DK as well, so it's not exclusive to Bet365. Do we truly believe that this is the year that a Canadian team wins the Stanley Cup? Right, you got the Winnipeg Jets, President's Trophy winners. You have the Toronto Maple Leafs that may be peaking and have a roster that may be maximized and maybe make the run we're all hoping to be. Don't see much from the Sens and don't see much from the Canadians.

So.

Let me see anybody else. The oilers, and the oilers. really the only hope is the Leafs, Oilers, and the Jets. Plus 240, minus 330 for the US team, so it's up to you. If we believe in the Leafs, believe in the Oilers, no Jets. I don't see the Jets, and just simply because I just don't see the Jets. Conference, here's real value to me. So listen up, listen good, have that pencil in hand, or note it on your iPhone. Conference winning division.

meaning that the team that's gonna win the conference, which division did they come from? In the West, plus 135 Pacific. Am I really honing my thought process? Excuse me. So let's do this. Conference winning division, Pacific for me. Cup, plus 325 Pacific. Here's why. Vegas Golden Knights, I think, are peaked to make a run. So I would be surprised if they represented.

Kyle Blondin (01:44:48.014)
Western Conference in the Stanley Cup final But also if the Kings are sure the oilers can get healthy. There's nothing that Can stop the dry saddles McDavid's of the world? so you got the you're banking on the oilers and the and the Knights to reach the Stanley Cup and that is Or win the Stanley Cup. So there's good value plus 325 somebody from this Pacific Division

wins the Stanley Cup or even just wins the conference. Vegas plus 500 to win, to conference winners, specifically the Vegas Gold Knights. That means they reached the Stanley Cup final. I talked about them. They're well rounded. If they don't get banged up, look at their defense core, right? Theodore, Petro Angelo, Noah Ham, Aniphan, Aiden Hill has been very, very big performing, big performing playoff goaltender.

So don't put a pass on. What else we got here? Also, DK first round wins. here's a pretty cool bet. Sorry, from DraftKings. Will there be a wild card team? And that's Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues. One of those teams or more would win a first round playoff matchup. I am saying no.

That's why I will say zero plus 320 that none of the wild card teams will have success in the first round. Does the St. Louis Blues scare me? Yes. Does the Montreal Canadiens scare me against the Washington Capitals? Yes. But I still lean towards both those teams not getting the job done. So zero is my play. DraftKings total OT games round one over 10 and oh.

How many games will go to OT? Over 10 and a half games. So you have eight series, I mean 28 games guaranteed if every game finished four, so there's more obviously. Well 10 and a half will under or over those games go to overtime. I think under minus 105. I just don't see that amount of overtime games happening. There might be a series that has multiple overtime games. Nah, I don't see it.

Kyle Blondin (01:47:15.694)
Also, will any of the series, like how many shutouts will we see in the first round? Over, under three and a half. I think I'm on the side of we're gonna see an uptick in goals early and often in the first round, and we're gonna see less than three and a half shutouts. That's my take. My final thoughts are that I hope to circle back and continue on the overrated experience.

sports and sports betting podcast to talk about the NHL playoffs, what's happened, how the betting landscape has changed, how my thoughts have changed. Maybe go off in a rager if the Toronto Maple Leafs falter in the first round or maybe the second. Really get angry and we're gonna go from there. So I'm hoping you enjoyed the podcast. I hope it added value to your preparation for your betting bonanza when it comes to the NHL playoffs.

Hope you're pumped like I am for this series to kick off tomorrow night. Hope you're scratching your head like I am on the schedule, but it is what it is. Enjoy it. The pleasure's all been yours. Your over experience is over. out. Have a great evening. Bye bye.