2017 NHL Playoffs: Conference Finals Betting Preview

The 2017 NHL Playoffs continue as we offer our conference finals betting tips with the Predators taking on the Ducks and the Senators going up against the Penguins.

Nashville Predators at Anaheim Ducks (Begins Saturday, May 13th at 11.00 am AEST)

The Nashville Predators head west to the Honda Center to take on the Anaheim Ducks in game one of the Western Conference Finals. The Predators are still running hot after claiming the eighth spot in the Western Conference Playoffs. They disposed of the first placed Chicago in five, then made sure Tarasenko and the St Louis Blues didn't get a sniff in the second round, as they took that series in six. It’s no doubt the Preds have an advantage on the defensive end with a team ran by P.K Subban. It all starts with Subban who has seven points in ten playoffs games and has been great every time he enters the ice. Pekka Rinne has by far been the most outstanding goalie in the playoffs. Rinne has a 1.37 goal against average and has two shutouts in the postseason and leads all playoff goalies in save percentage. Nashville haven't been very successful coming into the Honda Center and are without a win there since 2014. Can they break the drought early on in the Conference Final?

Anaheim come into this game with only a two day break after it took seven games to finish off the Oilers in a close round two. The Ducks pulled things together after a 7-1 loss to the Oilers in game six, then to comeback with a strong defensive to claim the 2-1 victory. The biggest problem for Nashville will be trying to control Getzlaf and Kesler who continue to show up in big games. Getzlaf showed his strength and size against the Oilers, finishing with ten points in the series including two goals in game four. The Ducks are offensively strong but will need goalie John Gibson at his best. Against the Oilers he was up and down every game, but did put in a complete performance in game seven to hopefully gain some confidence and consistency heading into game one.

Prediction: Predators to win the series

Ottawa Senators at Pittsburgh Penguins (Begins Sunday May 14th at 9am AEST)

Ottawa reached the Stanley Cup back in 2007, but fell victim to the Ducks when they won five straight to seal the victory. Ottawa are steaming along after beating the Rangers in six to set up a contest with last years champions the Pittsburgh Penguins. Throughout the year the Senators got the better of the Penguins claiming two out of three games but the playoffs will wipe that slate clean and start fresh. Ottawa strive on great defensive and the reason behind the success is Erik Karlsson. Karlsson revealed he had two hairline fractures after round one, but this certainly didn't slow him down, if anything he's gained strength. Karlsson has 13 points in 12 playoff games including a goal and assist along side three blocks shots in game six.

For Ottawa to gain success they will need to opt the 1-3-1 system, the Pens tend to score quickly from breakaways which we saw early on in games one and two in DC. For Ottawa to have a shot they will need to breakdown the neutral zone.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are once again competing in the Eastern Conference Final and they did this by once again defeating the Washington Capitals. It looked like the Caps had the edge over the Pens, but with some line shifting in game seven the Pens held it together. Substitute goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has been solid all postseason and was the difference in the Caps series as he fought off a bombardment of shots. The Pens also have amazing depth and it was on display in game four when Crosby was out with concussion, veterans Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kassel found ways to score. With a long offensive team rookie Jake Guentzel has been the standout for Pittsburgh notching nine goals and five assists in 12 playoff games.

Prediction: Penguins to win the series 

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