I was just looking on FanDuel, and the Rangers are indeed 4 of 4 to win the SC. Odds for Panthers/Rangers series - Panthers -146, Rangers +122 Odds for Oilers/Stars series - Stars -120, Oilers +100 Odds for SC winner - Stars +230, Panthers +230, Oilers +260, Rangers +360 So, the Rangers are the biggest underdog to win their CF, and for the SC by far. Once again, I find it very funny. The anti-NY thing is good stuff.
You shouldn't find it funny. The Rangers give up by far the most high danger chances of the remaining 4 teams which one of the most important stats you don't want to suck dong in.
I imagine its not limited to FanDuel. You'll probably find similar odds at all the bookmakers who, consequently are pretty good a making money. All they are trying to do is divide the bets as close to evenly as possible with their lines so they continue to make boatloads of money. By no means is it a reflection of the likelihood of the Rangers or any other team winning the Cup.
I am with you Al. And I get how it works Grey, but they beat the Canes when the Rangers were underdogs every single game and, in the series. Guess they'll do it again against the Panthers. And regardless of the reason, it is a slight on the Rangers, and they should see it as such. Not some major deal, but if I were on the Rangers sure I would take even a tiny bit of extra motivation from again being the underdog, why not, use every tool you can I say.
While this is true, Edmonton has the worst defense and goalie out of the 4 which is also a big deal…and which is why I wouldn’t be surprised to see Dallas beat them in 5-6. Took them 7 games to beat a Canucks team using a third goalie.
I don't know...their defense seemed to pretty consistent in limiting (more like totally eliminating) the Canucks scoring chances the last two games. I think Knoblach really put an emphasis on better D when he took over. Vancouver didnt do themselves any favors though by never shooting the puck. Dallas surely will be more aggressive and effective at getting pucks on net. Silovs is better than your typical third goalie. He could turn into something....
I'm with you on this, I'll go Stars in 6. The Oilers are questionable in goal, and at best okay on D. I honestly don't put too much stock into games 6 & 7 against Vancouver as I think they played a very passive game and passed up a lot of shots, I don't think the Stars do that, and the Stars have depth Vancouver does not, especially once Boeser was out in game 7. We'll see. I do agree Silovs played well, and he could be something down the road, maybe even a future starter for a team.
For what it's worth, on NHL.com 8 people picked the Rangers, 7 picked the Panthers. 12 picked the Stars, and only 3 picked the Oilers. McDonagh traded back to TB for some picks. Decent move for the Lightning, I think. They said McDonagh really wanted to be back in Tampa due to family reasons.
However you get there, the Rangers should see articles like this and find it very disrespectful. Little extra fuel for them I think: Why Rangers are underdogs in Eastern Conference finals vs. Panthers (nypost.com) I love this from the article (they're a hazard alright): Beyond this round, Avello says the Rangers would profile as at least +100 underdogs against either the Stars or Oilers, the two teams competing in the Western Conference Finals, beginning Thursday night in Dallas. The Rangers are currently +400 to win the Stanley Cup Finals odds, the worst odds of the remaining four teams in the playoffs. “The +400 is based on your being an underdog in this series already,” Avello said. “And then the next match, you’re going to be at least close to pick ’em, maybe a small dog in the next series.” Even if the Rangers are underdogs, the expectation is this will be a tight series. “In my gut, I think this series is going the distance,” Avello concluded. “Last time we spoke, I said the Rangers were a hazard. Well, they’re an even bigger hazard than the last time we spoke.”
On ESPN, 13 picked the Rangers (including Messier, Ferraro, Subban, McDonagh, Callahan, and Kaplan) and 12 picked the Panthers. Amazingly 20 of the 25 people have it as a 7-game series, the other 5 people have it as a 6-game series, 4 for the Panthers and 1 for the Rangers. In the West, 19 of 24 picked the Stars. Overall, between NHL.com and ESPN, 21 picked the Rangers and 19 picked the Panthers, doesn't get much closer than that. Surprising to me, 31 picked the Stars and only 8 picked the Oilers. I thought more would pick the Oilers, even though I agree and like the Stars in 6. Bottom line is pretty much everyone thinks the Panthers/Rangers series will be a great, tight, long series, and I agree. Two very good teams battling. I like Rangers in 6 or 7 (leaning 7), but it is just about a toss-up IMO. And again, I think the winner is the favorite to win the Cup. Let's drop the puck and get the CF's rolling.
Nothing like a double OT game to start the WCF, good win for the Oilers. Great game looks like a really fun series. Both home teams lose game 1 in the CF's, we'll see if they can bounce back.
Good win by the Stars to even up the WCF 1-1. We are really trending towards having two great CF's, with 4 pretty evenly matched teams, which should ultimately lead to a great SCF.
NHL CF's, two series tied 1-1, and then obviously two series that are/will be 2-1. NBA CF's, two series that have been hard to watch, and both 3-0. The NHL playoffs are so much better than the NBA playoffs, and it isn't close. Oilers go for a 2-1 lead at home tonight. The Oilers have looked good through two games, and clearly have a chance to win this. I still slightly edge towards the Stars overall, but it is really close just like the ECF, and either team can win.
Very good win by the Oilers at home last night to even up their series. The ECF and WCF have had exactly the same path, road team, home team, road team, home team, I wonder if people are counting the Stars out of a 2-2 series or is that just reserved for the Rangers. I am happy the Oilers won, want to see a close long series.
The ECF and WCF have followed the exact same path to 3-2, now the question is will the Panthers and/or Oilers finish it off in game 6 at home.
The ECF and WCF followed the exact same path. Road, home, road, home, road, home. Very strange. Oilers and Panthers start Saturday night. Lean towards the Panthers but cannot overlook the Oilers as they keep getting it done. Their best players and their PP have showed up big time, both their goals in game 6 were on the PP, must be nice to have that be the case, we wouldn't know what that looks like.
He sure is, and I have no doubt he would suffer the same fate as Gallant and Lav did with these current players who don't show up/get it done in big playoff spots year after year. Won't change until we change the core as Brooks said as well.
