Have to be short today because I'm on a time crunch and I'm going at this from my iPhone.

Tonight we have two opening Game 1s between Detroit/San Jose and Tampa Bay/Washington. Many might think I'm a bit slow or even crazy, but I like both road teams tonight and I actually like both lower seeds to win the series as well. 

We mentioned in yesterday's blog that Detroit and San Jose are both a -110 price to win the series, which will be an even one. Detroit has been owned by San Jose in the last 10 meetings, losing eight of those games, but they still are at the same price as the Sharks. Makes you wonder, which is why I'll go with Detroit.

In the Tampa series, we see the Lightning sitting at a +165 to win the series and a +155 tonight. I like each of these numbers because I still don't believe in Washington. I know they are the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference but I just don't think the East is that good of a league. I think there is much more parity in that conference from top to bottom (playoff teams). Plus I like Dwayne Roloson a lot more than I like Washington goalie Michal Neuvirth. And, when it comes down to it, I'll take the team with Stamkos, Lecavalier, St. Louis, Moore, Malone and Gagne over, well, Ovechkin, Semin and Knuble.

Series Price

Philadelphia Flyers -115
Boston Bruins -105

Simply put, Boston won't win if they can't score on the power play. I like Philly in this series as Boston took three of the four regular season games between the two clubs. Yes, I said I like Philly even though they lost three of four in the regular season. Both gritty teams that like to be physical and play tough. When it comes down to it, I think the Flyers are a more talented team and a better overall team at this point in the season. Should be a fun series to watch, but I think Philly is the way to go here.

Thoughts?