2020 NHL Playoffs: Qualifying Round Best Bets
Though it looked in doubt at many points over the past few months, the 2020 NHL playoffs will indeed proceed and barring anything unforeseen; a 2020 champion will be crowned. Beginning August 1st, the fifth through 12th seeds in each conference will face off in a qualifying round series, with the winners advancing to play the top four seeds in an elimination-style bracket.
Unlike the NBA which will have one “bubble†and the MLB which has re-aligned to keep teams travel to a minimum, the NHL will have two bubbles, one in Edmonton and one in Toronto.
Before the playoff bracket is officially set, eight teams in each conference will battle it out in a best of five series to earn the right to move forward in their quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup.
Let’s take a look at a couple of those qualifying round matchups I have my eye on.
All odds listed provided by our friends over at FanDuel Sportsbook.
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Montreal Canadians (+166) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (-205)
With three Stanley Cups (2009, 2016, 2017) under their names as a duo, the Penguin’s Sidney Crosby, and Evgeni Malkin come to this tournament as rested as they’ve been in years. Additionally, the team will get back winger Jake Guentzel who was able to take advantage of the four-month layoff to recover from a shoulder surgery that would have otherwise kept him out for the back half of the season.
For the Canadians, much of their success not only in this series but should they advance will land squarely on the shoulders of goal Carey Price. The longtime face of the franchise will need help from centerman Phillip Denault, whose 2.48 points per 60 minutes leads the team.
Looking at the series as a whole, it’s hard to see the Canadians being able to muster the firepower to steal three from a well-rested Penguin’s team. I do think, however, that Price can do enough to at least steal them one game.
Pick: Series Correct Score After 3 Games – Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1
Arizona Coyotes (+110) vs. Nashville Predators (-134)
As far as the qualifying round goes, it doesn’t get more evenly matched than this series.
Coming into this modified postseason with 78 points, the Predators have been largely pedestrian this season and are hoping the break gives them the spark they need to make a run. The mid-break acquisition of forward Phil Kessel, a veteran of the game but one who has scored 77 points in 87 playoff appearances, should provide just that.
For Arizona, hopes were high heading into the season before the injury of goalie Darcy Kuemper in December. The break not only allowed for Kuemper to get healthy but Taylor Hall to get more acquainted with his teammates after a December acquisition.
In what is a younger and more talented Coyotes’ squad, I’m going with the upset and wouldn’t be surprised if they end up making it to the Western Conference finals before its all said and done.
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TJ Perun is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from TJ, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers.