Friday NHL Playoff Betting – Caps have their backs to the wall
Time to bust out your hockey betting clichés, folks; it’s do-or-die, put-up-or-shut-up time for the Washington Capitals. They trail 3-1 in the Rangers vs Capitals odds and need a win in D.C. to keep their season going.
Game 5 should showcase several developing storylines. Will the Caps’ potent offense wake up? Can the Caps survive with a rookie goalie? Will Sean Avery hand Washington another gift—if he even suits up?
Rangers vs Capitals odds: Friday, April 24, 7:00 p.m. ET at the Verizon Center
Sports betting lines: Rangers +175, Capitals -210
- Ovechkin playing well, but needs a monster game
- Mike Green needs to find himself
- King Henrik as reliable as goalies get
Despite the No. 2-versus-No.7 seeding, most hockey betting pundits expected the Rangers vs Capitals line to go six or seven games. How much of a sportsbook shocker has it been, then, to see the Rangers one win away from eliminating the Caps?
There are certainly some legitimate concerns for the Capitals odds entering Game 5. Despite his stellar play in Games 2 and 3, rookie netminder Simeon Varlamov looked shaky in Game 4. It’s still too early to tell if he’s ready for prime time. Norris Trophy nominee Mike Green needs to show up to keep the Caps in this series; the 31-goal scorer hasn’t found twine in the playoffs and his big shot is vital to igniting the Caps power play.
Even if they get their game going, the Caps have one huge problem standing in their way: Henrik Lundqvist. He’s the steady, elite type of goalie every team longs to have at this time of year and the sportsbook odds of him getting shelled are slim. Can the Caps muster enough offense to win?
I say yes. With the offensive talent Washington has up front—namely, Mr. Alexander Ovechkin—there’s just no way they bow out in five games. If he still wants the label of best hockey player in the world, Ovechkin will bring everything to the table on Friday night.
A dynamic first-place team like the Caps has too much firepower to stay contained all series long. While their sportsbook odds for the whole series are in serious danger, they’re still a good home team despite their rough start at the Verizon Center in this series.
DON’S PICK: Bet on Washington to be extremely aggressive on the rush and win Game 5. If Rangers coach John Tortorella doesn’t bench Sean Avery for the game, Avery could very well help the Caps’ cause again with another slew of selfish, moronic penalties.
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.
