The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs begin tonight when the Ottawa Senators take on the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first round matchup. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised live on the NHL Network. Currently the betting odds for the game have the Canadiens favored to get the win in this first matchup.
Montreal comes into the playoffs as the second overall seed in the Eastern Conference, taking on the wild card winning Ottawa Senators. The Habs this year piled up 50 wins this year, but they are looking for more in the playoffs and a potential spot in the Stanley Cup Finals. Back in 2013 the Senators knocked out the Canadiens in the post season and being with both teams hailing from Canada, there is probably some national pride going on in this series.
Surely Montreal will want some payback this time around from being eliminated those few seasons ago. Ottawa goaltender Andrew Hammond has been on fire, though, posting a record of 20-1-2 with a 1.79 goals against average for the season. With Hammond in net the Senators somehow found a way to play themselves into the playoffs, losing just once in regulation the last two months to go along with two shootout losses.
Ottawa is a team on fire right now, winning three times in overtime during April and looking to ride that success into this game tonight.
Montreal, though, is very tough at home. They finished with a record of 26-9-6 in their own building this season, compared to Ottawa's road record of 20-13-8, which wasn't all that bad.
In tonight's game look for Montreal to grab ahold of the series with a win. They are the better overall team, will showcase that tonight against a hot Senators squad, but ultimately earn the victory.
Free Pick: Montreal
Handicapping Tips: MLB Specialization
What Pro Baseball bettors need to know about betting specialization in major league baseball, with tips and insight from Pregame.com’s Teddy Covers and Steve Fezzik.
$25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!
Stay on top of the latest odds and line moves for the MLB Season with our real-time odds from Las Vegas and offshore!