Tuesday NHL Playoff betting – Pens, Ducks and Wings look to take strangleholds

It’s safe to throw last week’s NHL sports betting lines out the window now. Considering that many online betting fans expected this year’s Stanley Cup odds to be the most tightly contested in years, it was quite a sportsbook shocker to see seven of eight series open 2-0. In Tuesday’s NHL betting, Anaheim and Detroit look to open up 3-0 gashes in their series, while the Canucks can finish off their series with a sweep.

NHL playoff picks: the Blues’ season will end on Tuesday

• Canucks’ special teams have been superb
• Sharks have never rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win a series
• Blue Jackets still seeking first NHL betting playoff win

Penguins vs Flyers odds: Game 4, Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. ET at the Wachovia Center
NHL lines: Penguins +115, Philadelphia -135

Game 3 was a borderline must-win for the Flyers and they came up big offensively in a 6-3 win. Youngster Claude Giroux was sensational as the forwards finally drove to the net like they were supposed to. The Flyers will try to ride their raucous home crowd again in Game 4 and tie the series, but the Pens will bounce back. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are still firing on all cylinders, while Martin Biron simply isn’t good enough in goal for Philly to win this series. Bet on the Penguins.

Red Wings vs Blue Jackets odds: Game 3, Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. ET at Nationwide Arena
NHL lines: Red Wings -155, Blue Jackets +135

It’s pretty well established that the Wings are in a different class than the Jackets after the defending champs calmly dismantled Columbus in Games 1 and 2. If Columbus can win any game in this NHL betting series, it’s Game 3. The Fans should go crazy as they’re treated to their first-ever home playoff game, so online betting fans should expect the Jackets to be absolutely amped for this one. How often does a home team offer +135 value in a playoff game? You may as well bet on Columbus, just this once.

Devils vs Hurricanes odds: Game 4, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. ET at the RBC Center
NHL lines: Devils +125, Hurricanes -145

So far, the Devils vs Hurricanes line looks like the closest series in the NHL playoffs. The ’Canes defense looked suspect in Game 3, particularly on Travis Zajac’s game winner during which he had three whacks before burying the puck past Cam Ward. This is no cakewalk for the New Jersey, though; two of three games have gone to overtime and this series seems destined to go six or seven. Bet on Carolina to even up the series.

Canucks vs Blues odds: Game 4, Tuesday, 8:00 p.m. ET at the Scottrade Center
NHL lines: Canucks -150, Blues +130

Even though the Blues are an extremely young team, most people figured they’d push the Canucks hard in this NHL playoff betting matchup, as the Blues were the NHL’s best second-half team this regular season. The Canucks, however, have completely outclassed them so far. Roberto Luongo has been a wall and they’ve plugged up the Blues’ power play, allowing just one goal in 17 Blues man advantages. Naturally, the Blues should be hungry in this one, as it’s do or die, but the Canucks have shown a killer instinct in the series. Bet on Vancouver to keep its foot on the St. Louis’ throat and finish off the sweep.

Sharks vs Ducks odds: Game 3, Tuesday, 10:30 p.m. ET at the Honda Center
NHL lines: Sharks -130, Ducks +110

Could it be? The Sharks, whom many NHL betting fans picked as the top Stanley Cup odds contender, on the ropes? The Ducks’ vast playoff experience has them looking poised so far in this series and Joe Thornton is pulling his playoff Houdini act yet again for San Jose. The Sharks, however, still have too much talent to roll over and die. Bet on San Jose to win Game 3, even if someone besides Thornton—Joe Pavelski? Milan Michalek?—will likely be the hero.

For more NHL playoff picks and hockey betting, visit the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com.

Who better to offer great sports betting and hockey tips than a native Canadian? Like any good Canuck, Don Melrose eats, sleeps, breathes and bets hockey, making him the perfect NHL handicapper. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.