Playoff Hockey Update

It’s up to 80 degrees here in NYC and my tiny little AC unit is already struggling, so it feels almost cruel that I have to talk hockey today. But it’s about time we checked in on the Stanley Cup Playoffs 🏆

• The first round of postseason play is nearing its end (take a look at the full bracket here), and a handful of teams have already clinched their spot in the quarterfinals ⬇️

  • Colorado Avalanche (4-1 over the Winnipeg Jets)

  • Florida Panthers (4-1 over the Tampa Bay Lightning)

  • Carolina Hurricanes (4-1 over the New York Islanders)

  • New York Rangers (4-0 over the Washington Capitals 🧹)

The Edmonton Oilers could be on that list as well; last night’s potential series-clinching matchup with the LA Kings was still going on into the early hours of the AM. And for those of you who missed the early game, this game-saving save for the Stars was incredible and put them up 3-2 against Vegas 💪

There may be some slight shuffling depending on that late-night outcome, but as it stands, here are the odds to bring home the Stanley Cup this year 👇

There’s just a lone game going down this evening, but it’s not one that’s lacking intrigue. The Boston Bruins hold a 3-2 series lead, but clinching tonight in Toronto against the Maple Leafs certainly won’t be easy. Check out how the lines are shaping up for Game 6 👇

Bruins vs. Maple Leafs Betting Preview (subject to change)

• Spread: Maple Leafs -1.5 (+210)

• Moneyline: Maple Leafs -115, Bruins -104

• Over/Under: 5.5 Total Goals

• When: 8PM on TBS

Oddsmakers have the home team as the slight favorite tonight, but this is about as close to a pick’em as you can get. Uncertainty regarding the availability of Toronto star Auston Matthews could also be a factor; he was lifted in Game 4 due to an illness and hasn’t returned to the ice since 😬

The NHL’s leading goal-scorer came up just one shy of the 15th-ever 70-goal season, and he scored the game-winner back in Game 2, so it’s safe to say his absence is a notable one. But for what it’s worth, the Leafs seem to do just fine without him 😳

Such was the case in Tuesday’s season-saving overtime victory in Boston, a gritty 2-1 win that saw zero goals in the second and third periods. Check out the follow by 21-year-old Matthew Knies in extra time that sent the series back up to Canada 👇

Undoubtedly a tough one for the Bruins to swallow, and lately, this team has become all too familiar with disappointment this time of year 😩

• Since losing to the St. Louis Blues in Game 7 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals, Boston hasn’t made it out of the second round, despite being one of the league’s best regular season teams

• Last year, they set an NHL record with 65 wins and 135 points. But after hopping out to a 3-1 series lead over the Panthers in the first round, they proceeded to lose the next three in a row 😬

Could history be repeating itself this year? A return from Matthews tonight could be just the juice the Leafs need to force a Game 7 back in Boston…and who doesn’t want to see more playoff hockey? 🍿

Trivia Question: How many of the 14 70-goal seasons in NHL history did Wayne Gretzky have?

For My Parlay Gurus

For the sake of my Boston friends’ mental health, I hope the Bruins eventually take the series, but you won’t catch me betting against home ice advantage in the playoffs. Give me the Leafs tonight in another low-scoring affair; check out this parlay 👇

• Maple Leafs ML vs. Bruins: -115

• Under 5.5 Total Goals: +100

$100 on this bet would win you $247 — if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win an Overtime hoodie*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

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Trivia Answer: Gretzky hit 70 goals on four occasions, including a record 92 goals in 1981-82

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Many will enter, one (1) will win. Void where prohibited. Open to legal US & DC residents 18 years or older. Prize is one Overtime hoodie. Approximate retail value (“ARV”): $65. Entries are accepted until 11:59 pm EST on the day after the bet hits. See Campaign Terms for additional terms. ©2023 Overtime Sports, Inc. All rights reserved.