NHL Hockey Betting: Stanley Cup Playoffs for May 5, 2016
Two games on the board for Thursday:
DALLAS STARS AT ST. LOUIS BLUES:
The St. Louis Blues completely dominated the Dallas Stars in Game Three of their Western Conference Semifinal series winning 6-1 and controlling every phase of the game. That makes Game Four doubly huge for the Stars. A win and they regain home ice advantage and head back to Texas tied at two games a piece. A loss and they’re down 3-1 with their backs against the wall and no margin for error. They would have to win out to advance and avoid elimination.
You’ve got to admire Lindy Ruff’s tenacity. No one in the hockey world thinks that the ‘goalie tandem’ in the playoffs is a good idea but Ruff continues to sell it like it is. Here’s what Ruff had to say to a group of media types about what goes in to picking which goalie plays:
“I’m just trying to stay consistent with what we have done all year. I know that’s hard for you guys to buy into, because this two goalie thing is new to you guys and you’d rather just ask me about one goal, but we’ve had two goalies that have played really well that have got us to where we are. And last time I checked, it was in a pretty good place. Do they stumble every now and then? Yeah, they do. But the alternative is I have another guy to go to all of the time. They’ve bought into the way we’re doing it, and it’s led us to this point. What we do from this point on will be determined by tomorrow night.”
Give Lindy a +1 for blaming the media for not understanding the complexity of his two goalie system. The reality is that anyone who has followed hockey for more than a few months knows the game and has watched it unfold for the Stars in this series. The ‘goalie tandem’ in the playoffs is the worst possible idea. The only thing worse is the way that Lindy is running it. Let’s recap the Stars’ goaltending foibles for the playoffs thus far:
Kari Lehtonen had been the Stars’ starting goaltender for most of the regular season stretch run. It looked like Lindy had gotten wise and was going to make Lehtonen his #1 guy during the playoffs. Lehtonen made it through the Stars first two playoff games without problem but got ‘the hook’ after the Minnesota Wild’s comeback win and five goal outburst in Game Three of the first round. Annti Niemi came on in relief and started the next two games. He didn’t get ‘the hook’ but he did get replaced by Lehtonen for Game Six after a shaky Game Five performance. Lehtonen was in net for the Stars 5-4 win that clinched the series and allowed them to advance. Lost in the excitement of winning the playoff series was the reality that the Stars were up 5-1 heading into the third period and Lehtonen’s shaky play almost gave the game away. Lehtonen played the first game of the current series and played well in a 2-1 Dallas win. Then he started poorly in Game Two and got ‘the hook’, replaced by Niemi again. Neimi lasted less than one full game before he got ‘the hook’ early in Game Three. No official word yet for Game Four but the early indication is that Lehtonen will start. Of course, Lindy Ruff’s two goaltender system is way to complex for a ‘civilian’ like me to understand.
More Lindy Ruff–he should consider running for political office with his ability to say downright foolish things with a straight face. Ruff says that Niemi and Lehtonen have ‘bought in’ to the system and gives them credit for much of the Stars success. I’m sure the reality is that the two veteran goalies are making the best of the situation.
The other big story coming out of Game Four was Blues’ enforcer Ryan Reaves blowing a kiss to the Stars bench as he was escorted off the ice. While many in the Dallas media suggest that the Stars ‘get revenge’ the more important thing for them to do is to play hockey and stay in a series against a St. Louis team that is starting to look superior. At least they know how to manage their goalies. Brian Elliott played like a madman in the stretch run and was named the starter for the playoffs. He’s had some shaky moments but has generally played well. Regardless, coach Ken Hitchcock has stuck with him. That sort of trust gives a goalie confidence and confidence is one of the most important components of successfully playing the position. The problem with Lindy’s strategy is that goalies are always looking over their shoulder and never develop the confidence that comes with being ‘the guy’. St. Louis has a very capable backup in Jake Allen–realistically, the Stars would probably take him over either of their goalies. Allen started for much of the year but he knows his role in the playoffs and knows that until something happens to the contrary that Elliott is the starting goalie.
That could very well be the difference in this series. St. Louis wins Game Four and sends Dallas home facing elimination.
BET ST. LOUIS BLUES -140 OVER DALLAS STARS
SAN JOSE SHARKS AT NASHVILLE PREDATORS:
You already know what I’m going to say here. The Nashville Predators are crazy erratic and you never know what you’re going to get. That was the case in Game Three when they blitzed the Stars 4-1. The long moribund Predators’ power play went 5-2, Pekka Rinne continued his sharp play in this series and the series is now at 2-1. I’m going to give Nashville the benefit of the doubt here and back them to tie the series. This is a very talented Predators team and when they’re playing like this they’re tough to beat. As bad as they’ve been on the road against San Jose they’ve been very good at the Bridgestone Arena winning 5 of the last 6 head to head. Sharks are 15-7 +7 units this year after a loss by 2+ goals but still going to take a shot with the home team.
BET NASHVILLE PREDATORS -110 OVER SAN JOSE SHARKS