It’s A California Kind Of Feeling In Friday NHL Playoff Games

The two California teams in the NHL playoffs are doing very well so far. The sports betting experts had some concerns about the Los Angeles Kings early in its series with the St. Louis Blues, but the Kings have proven to be just as resilient this season as they were last year. After falling behind St. Louis in the opening of the series, the Kings have opened up a 3-2 lead in the series and look to eliminate St. Louis from the playoffs for the second year in a row.

The Anaheim Ducks looked like they had their series with the Detroit Red Wings under control, until the Red Wings started to make a charge and tied the series at two games each. But then the online betting sites got to see some gritty play from the Ducks in game five and Anaheim took the 3-2 lead. Now the series goes back to Detroit where the Red Wings play very well. But the way that the Ducks are handling the Red Wings, it almost may not matter where the games are being played. Anaheim just seems to have Detroit’s number.

Friday - Anaheim Ducks @ Detroit Red Wings (Anaheim leads 3-2)

This may be the game where this series finally explodes. The sportsbook experts do not expect the Red Wings to put up with the way that their goaltender Jimmy Howard is being treated. The Ducks are merciless with their constant charging of the net and taking out Howard with physical contact. The Red Wings have not been able to get at Jonas Hiller yet, but this may be the game where Detroit finally breaks through.

Each and every goal in this series has been the result of hard work on the part of both teams. There is not a lot of room to skate, which is exactly the way that the Ducks like it. As long as Anaheim continues to force Detroit to play the physical game, the Ducks will dictate the course of this series.

Pick: Anaheim Ducks

Friday – St. Louis Blues @ Los Angeles Kings (Los Angeles leads 3-2)

Last season, the Blues were a heavy favorite to make it to the Stanley Cup finals and the Kings snuck into the playoffs under the radar. In the second round of the playoffs, Los Angeles upset St. Louis and knocked the Blues out of the playoffs. This season, the Blues come into these playoffs struggling to score goals and the Kings look like they are ready for another championship run.

St. Louis started off strong in this series, but the Kings have fought back to take the lead. Whatever mystical power the Kings have over the Blues is in full effect and it looks like the Kings will be able to wrap this series up at home and start thinking about the next step in their Stanley Cup title defense.

Pick: Los Angeles Kings