Bet NHL Hockey Online - Western Conference Series Opening Round Update
The sports betting world is getting caught a bit off guard with some of these NHL Western Conference series results to this point. The MLB betting has been put on hold in cities like Nashville and Chicago as fans try to sort through the playoff hockey results. The sports betting bonus to all of this is that these Western Conference series are not boring and are keeping fans glued to their televisions.
Chicago Blackhawks (8) Vs Vancouver Canucks (1)
Canucks lead series 3-0 There was a feeling among hockey fans that the feisty defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks would really put the pressure on the Vancouver Canucks. Given how disappointing the Canucks have played in previous playoff series, the consensus was that the Blackhawks would at least be in this series. But Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo looks like he may have finally shaken that playoff monkey from his back and has been stellar in this series. Luongo made several key saves late in game three to insure a Vancouver win. The Chicago defense has been trying to clamp down on the Vancouver offense, but this Chicago team is a shadow of the team that won the Cup last year and just cannot compete with the Canucks.
Los Angeles Kings (7) Vs San Jose Sharks (2)
Series tied 1-1
The Los Angeles Kings are trying to compete without their top playmaker in Anze Kopitar against a strong defensive team. San Jose goaltender Antti Niemi was showing his playoff form in the game one San Jose 3-2 overtime win, but the wheels kind of fell off in the 4-0 game two loss. The key to this series for the Kings, with Kopitar out, is the play of goaltender Jonathan Quick. In game one, Quick was under siege for much of the second period but managed to push the game into overtime. In game two, Quick was stellar and looking like a good reason for the Sharks to be worried. The series shifts back to Los Angeles where the Kings look to continue their momentum in front of the home crowd.
Phoenix Coyotes (6) Vs Detroit Red Wings (3)
Detroit leads series 2-0
This series was supposed to be a lot closer, but the Phoenix Coyotes have been a disappointment all season long. The Coyotes had to climb back into the playoff hunt after spending much of the season in the 10th and 11th spots in the Western Conference. In this series, Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard shed many of the problems he was having in the regular season to be a consistent force for Detroit. The Detroit defense has played well in front of Howard, and the offense has put eight goals past Ilya Bryzgalov in the first two games. What should have been a close series now looks like it could be a four-game sweep in favor of the Red Wings.
Nashville Predators (5) Vs Anaheim Ducks (4)
Nashville leads series 2-1
Never underestimate the Nashville Predators. After a disappointing 5-3 loss in game two, the Predators came home and grabbed a spirited 4-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks are finally feeling the effects of losing starting goaltender Jonas Hiller late in the regular season. Veteran Ray Emery is giving it his best, but he is no match for the swarming offense played by the Predators. Look for the Predators to play well in game four and dispose of the Ducks by game six.
