NHL Playoffs Picks Game Seven 4/26: Sens Rangers, Devils Panthers

NHL Playoff Picks and Predictions Game Seven, Thursday 4/26: Ottawa Senators at New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils at Florida Panthers

The New York Rangers won Game Six in Ottawa to earn the right to come home and play Game Seven at the Garden. New Jersey also won Game Six, though Game Seven will be on the road. I’ll be at Game Seven as I extended my stay in sunny Florida. If I get another fucking victory rat shower in that high school arena in Sunrise, I’m not sure what I’ll do.

I’ll probably rampage through Ft. Lauderdale killing hookers and Panthers fans with a machete.

The Caps are moving on after winning the first Game Seven of the playoffs, but there are two more to go. The New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils, both heavily favored going into their respective series, now have their entire seasons coming down to one game. Are they still the teams we thought they were when the playoffs began? This is why you have to love the hockey playoffs.

Ottawa Senators at New York Rangers (-175)

The Ottawa Senators had their chance. They nearly put the Rangers away on home ice, but in Game Seven on the road it’s going to be a bit harder. The Sens have a chance, and it would be great if they won because it buys some unexpecting team an extra home game, but I don’t think they can do it.

Henrik Lundqvist is the more reliable netminder in Game Seven, though both he and Craig Anderson have played well. I trust Lundqvist’s track record more here. I don’t trust the offense of the Rangers, I don’t think they’re skating well as a whole, but I believe in this goalie. With eight units on the series itself (placed when the odds fell after the Sens won their first game at MSG), I won’t be adding to my bet.

I still like the Rangers, but I think it’d be funny if the Sens won and it could benefit my team if they handle business in Florida.

Rangers 3 – Sens 1

Confidence: 2/6
Value: 1/6

New Jersey Devils (-125) at Florida Panthers

I have a huge bet on the Devils to win the series, and since it all comes down to Game Seven in Florida, I have a huge bet on this game.

I was encouraged by Ilya Kovalchuk’s play in Game Six. After looking very slow in Game Five, and the series as a whole, many questioned Kovy’s health. After Game Six, he appeared to be skating hard and played well. Maybe he’s finally healthy. Martin Brodeur looked solid again and most importantly, the Devils played a clean game in front of him. After losing games due to bad penalties, the Devils held the Panthers to just one power play opportunity. If they play another clean game on the road, they could steal the series back.

The Panthers seemed timid, possibly affected by the pressure of trying to close out a series. They played a very conservative game until they were behind and the Devils were able to win in overtime. With a home crowd to disappoint, pressure could be an issue for an inexperienced club like the Panthers.

Game Six was total domination from the Devils. They held the Cats to 16 shots, but still barely won in overtime. Still, I think that such domination is a sign of what’s to come in Game Seven. I’m hoping the Devils pull through and bury some of those chances. Outshooting a team by more than 20 shots should translate to more than an overtime victory. I think they’ll dominate play again in the final game of the series.

Devils 3 – Panthers 0

Confidence: 3/6
Value: 5/6

Playoffs: 28-18