NHL Betting: Stanley Cup Props Part 1

I would probably be the last person to recommend and exact series score props (since the value doesn’t really seem to be there on something that’s so hard to predict) but given how dominant the Los Angeles Kings have been, this one might be worth a look.

Stanley Cup Finals Correct Series Score: Kings 4-1

Looking back at the New Jersey Devils, they needed seven games to dispose of the Florida Panthers, then took care of the Philadelphia Flyers rather easily - although the Flyers clearly had a letdown in the second round - and then the Devils cracked the code of the New York Rangers defense. Overall, one might say they haven’t really faced anything close to what they’re about to see. 

The bigger concern for New Jersey is that when they were actually tested in Rounds 1 and 3, they seemed to play well only in spurts. They took several periods off against the Panthers and it cost them, and they did the same against the Rangers in the Eastern Conference final. The reason why I see this being such a short series is because the Kings are the exact opposite: they’re a relentless team that plays with a high-energy forecheck and never takes a game off. 

The Kings have already beat teams with better defensive prowess than the Devils and they’ve handled better offenses as well. I don’t see this series lasting very long, so the five-game prop is one that I like: 

Series Leader After Four Games: Kings +140 

The Kings have lost just twice in the playoffs so far, which means that they haven’t been trailing or tied in any series after four games. The Devils have twice been tied and only once been leading after four contests. 

One of the main reasons I like this prop is because the Kings will get to start on the road for the first two games – exactly how they have all playoffs long. To date, they are 8-0 on the road this postseason compared to 4-2 at home. Since they get to start the Stanley Cup Finals on the road, the pressure will once again be on their opponent and they’ll be allowed to roll in with an opportunity to steal home-ice advantage in the first two games. Since that’s been their comfort zone, look for them to continue to do what they’ve done and that’s take an early control of the series. If that’s the case, there’s a good chance they’re ahead after four games in this series. 

Game 1 Additional Puck Line: Kings -1 +160

Laying -120 with the Kings on the road for Game 1 isn’t too risky of a proposition as they’ll be rested and they’ve already shown that a long postseason layoff is a problem for them. At the same time, the payout laying a full puck seems far more tantalizing. 

So far this postseason, the Kings have won all three of their Game 1’s by two goals each time. Meanwhile, the Devils have lost their last two Game 1’s against New York and Philadelphia and barely hung on to win their Game 1 against Florida in a game they were badly outplayed.