Scratching and Clawing Going on in the NHL Playoffs

The online betting world knows just how desperate some of the teams in the NHL playoffs will be on Thursday night. The Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota Wild will be clinging to life in their series, while the New York Islanders continue to try and surprise the Pittsburgh Penguins. If you are a hockey fan, then you need to be in front of the television to watch these three games on Thursday night.

The betting sites had teams like the Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins as huge favorites over the Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders respectively, but it looks like the tide may be turning in both of those series. These are the kinds of playoff series that are not for the faint of heart when it comes to betting. If you are ready for some great NHL playoff action, then get ready for Thursday night.

Thursday – New York Islanders @ Pittsburgh Penguins (Series tied 2-2)

There are a lot of sportsbook experts who are trying to figure out just what makes these New York Islanders tick. The Islanders were the surprise of the regular season and now they are the surprise hit of the playoffs. After winning game four at home to tie up the series at two games apiece, the Islanders hit the road and try to pull off the impossible win in Pittsburgh. It seems like these Islanders do not know the meaning of the word impossible, which is driving the Penguins crazy.

Pick: New York Islanders

Thursday – Ottawa Senators @ Montreal Canadiens (Ottawa leads 3-1)

The only people that seem to be surprised at the way this series is going is the betting public and the fans of the Montreal Canadiens. Montreal finished the regular season as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, but it looks like the Habs are having a problem holding onto their high-ranking status. The Ottawa Senators just keep pounding on the Canadiens and firing the puck at a shaky Carey Price. The Canadiens have never responded very well to the physical play that Ottawa uses and that disdain for physical play is coming to the forefront in this series.

Pick: Ottawa Senators

Thursday – Minnesota Wild @ Chicago Blackhawks (Chicago leads 3-1)

The outcome of this game depends on who plays net for the Wild. It is said that starting goaltender Niklas Backstrom, who was injured in game one of the series, was on the bench late in the second period during game four. When backup Josh Harding had to leave game four, third-stringer Darcy Kuemper took over. But it was a bad situation for the Wild that the Blackhawks took advantage of. If Backstrom can start in this game, then the Wild may have one more win in them. If not, then this will be the end of what was supposed to be a promising season for the Minnesota Wild.

Pick: Niklas Backstrom