Canes battle Sabres

The Carolina Hurricanes will be looking to finish off the Buffalo Sabres in the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday by grabbing a win in Game 6.

The Canes lead the best-of-seven series 3-2, and would move on to face the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Finals with a win.

Carolina comes in as a small road dog, as the line opened at 130 in favor of the Sabres. The OVER/UNDER has been set at 6 goals for this game.

In Game 5 the Hurricanes picked up a 4-3, overtime victory as the favored team. The seven goals made that game an OVER play. It was Carolina's second straight victory.

If the Sabres manage to win on Tuesday night Game 7 of the series will take place at the RBC Center in Raleigh on Thursday night.

Round 3 Game 3

By the time this game ended (in nail-biting, ulcer-inducing fashion, btw) the Sabres were able to field, by my personal count, 3 NHL-Quality defensemen: Jay McKee, Brian Campbell (my how times have changed) and Toni Lydman. For those who don’t know Henrik Tallinder left the game with 6 minutes to go (timing eerily coincidental with Lydman’s penalty) with what appears to be some kind of hand injury.

Carolina skates into Buffalo

The Buffalo Sabres can move one step closer to the Stanley Cup Finals if they can defeat the Carolina Hurricanes at home Friday night in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final.

Oddsmakers like the Sabres in this one, opening the line at 140 in favor of Buffalo.

Last time out, at HSBC Arena against Buffalo, the Hurricanes as underdogs lost to the Sabres 4-3. The game was an over play. The Sabres took a 2-1 series lead with the win.

Daniel Briere scored a pair of goals for Buffalo in the Game 3 win and now has seven playoff markers. He leads the Sabres in playoff scoring with 17 points.

This game is likely to come down to the Hurricanes's execution on offence. They rank 3rd in the league in scoring and look to sustain their 3.5 goals per game average against the Sabres's #10-rated defensive unit.

Gretzky impressed by Oilers

Gretzky, who won four Stanley Cups in Edmonton, would never openly admit to rooting for the Oilers, but certainly admires how they've performed in this year's playoffs.

"They're fast, they're explosive, they play hard, they play gritty," Gretzky told Pierre LeBrun of Canadian Press.

"And I think [head coach] Craig MacTavish has done an incredible job - the best coaching that he's done in his career."

Led by MacTavish, Edmonton eliminated the top-ranked Detroit Red Wings in six games and lead the fifth-seeded San Jose Sharks 3-2 in their NHL Western Conference semifinal.

Sharks Fight to Stay Alive

The San Jose Sharks will be fighting to extend their season when they visit the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday at Rexall Place for Game 6 of their Western Conference playoff series.

San Jose trails the series 3-2, having lost three straight games to the Oilers after winning the first two games in San Jose. Edmonton won Game 3 in triple overtime and then posted back-to-back 6-3 victories to take a stranglehold on the series.

Oddsmakers like the Oilers in this one, opening the line at 165 in favor of Edmonton. In Game 5, the Oilers won as underdogs in San Jose and the 6-3 final sent the game over the total.

Sharks coach Ron Wilson has indicated that Vesa Toskala will once again get the start in goal for San Jose tonight.

Oilers Bite Back

The Oilers will be looking to even their playoff series with the San Jose Sharks at two, when the two teams face off tonight for Game 4 in Edmonton.

The Oilers are favored, opening as 145 chalk, with an opening total of 5. They are 46-31-14 this season and 41-44-6 OU. The Sharks are 50-28-12 and are 39-46-5 OU.

After losing last time out, Ron Wilson's team looks to rebound with a solid showing on the road Friday in Edmonton. They were moneyline underdogs in that game, which went under the total of 5.5.

Senators on the Brink

The Ottawa Senators will try and do what only two other teams have ever done and that's come back from being down 3-0 in a best-of-seven-game series.

They face the Buffalo Sabres in New York Thursday as the Sabres look to advance to the Conference finals with a sweep tonight.

Ottawa will try and end the Sabres five-game winning streak and try and put some rubber past standout goalie Ryan Miller.

The Sabres opened as -110 home favorites in this game, with an opening total of 6.5 goals.

Last time out, at HSBC Arena against Buffalo, the Senators as underdogs lost to the Sabres 3-2 in overtime. The game was an under play.

Ottawa will need its best players to step up and they need to get more traffic in front of the rookie netminder, who plays with poise.

Avs Look to Avoid Sweep

The Avalanche are facing a 3-0 deficit as they look for a win in Game 4 Thursday when they face the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the Mile High City.

Joffrey Lupul on Fire for the DucksThe Mighty Ducks hope backup, turned starter Ilya Bryzgalov can continue his magic between the pipes, while Colorado will need to score some goals as they have tallied just three goals in three games.

The Mighty Ducks come in as slight 105 road favorites and look to sweep the series from Colorado. The Avalanche will try to bite big as a home dog. Totals bettors see the line opened at 5.5.

Randy Carlyle's team was busy last game winning against the Avalanche 4-3 as underdogs. The seven goals sent that game over the total of 5.5.

Oilers Face Shark Attack

Down 2-0 to the San Jose Sharks, the Oilers will be looking for a win tonight in Game 3 in Edmonton to try and climb back into this series.

Oddsmakers like the Oilers in this one, opening the line at 140 in favor of Edmonton. They are 45-31-14 this season, while the Sharks are 50-28-11.

Last time out, at HP Pavilion against Edmonton, the Sharks as favorites defeated the Oilers 2-1. The game was an under play.

Senators set for Game 3

Down 2-0 in their second-round series with the Sabres, the Ottawa Senators will be desperate for a win tonight when the two teams faceoff tonight for Game 3 in Buffalo.

Ottawa takes its 56-23-10 mark to Buffalo to rumble with the 58-26-6 Sabres.

Oddsmakers like the Sabres in this one, opening the line at 135 in favor of Buffalo. They are 58-26-6 this season, while the Senators are 56-23-10.

Last time out, at Scotiabank Place against Buffalo, the Senators as favorites lost to the Sabres 2-1. The game was an under play.

This game is likely to come down to the Senators' execution on offence. They rank 1st in the league in scoring and look to sustain their 3.9 goals per game average against the Sabres' #11-rated defensive unit.

Not Pro Hockey But

This post isn't about hockey, but it is definitly hockey related. I came across a website this morning called Bluemile.ca.

Some of you might remember the Redmile, the famous fans from Calgary, Alberta. The Bluemile not suprisingly represents the hotties in Edmonton, Alberta. All I can say is I hope Edmonton gets back on track other wise the Bluemile will become a dead end.

"Some pictures from last night but not too much action due to the loss so you will find some pic's in this gallery from last Monday's win(Round 1, Game 6, we beat Detroit duh!). If you see bluemile.ca crew tonight, don't be such a boob and show some!"

Giants Win Championship

The Vancouver Giants have moved into the WHL record books with their 12th win in a row in the playoffs. And in the process, the Giants have picked up their first ever league championship with a 6-3 win in Moose Jaw over the Warriors Tuessday night. Vancouver sweeps the championship final match-up 4-0 and now have secured a spot in the MasterCard Memorial Cup Finals in Moncton, New Brunswick.

For the fourth time in the series, the Warriors opened up the scoring and it came in the opening two minutes. Dustin Boyd capitalized with a shot from the slot that beat Dustin Slade. Kenndal McArdle and Steven Gillen collect the helpers on Boyd's 7th of the playoffs at 1:17.

Vancouver responded a few minutes later on the power play as captain Mark Fistric blasted home a slap shot from the right face off circle that beat Joey Perricone through a screen. Jon Blum and Kyle Lamb pick up the assists on Fistric's 1st of the post-season at 7:01.

Stay tuned for more news in the coming days about the Giants plans for the 2006 MasterCard Memorial Cup. The Giants will leave for Moncton next Wednesday and take part in Canada's quest for junior hockey supremecy May 19-28.

Vancouver Giants Take Two

I know the name of this blog is Pro Pond Hockey, but the Vancouver Giants are rockin the house right now in the Western Hockey League finals and I wanted to give them so much deserved space.

Gilbert Brule scored three goals and added three assists Saturday night to help the Giants to a 7-5 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors.

It gave the Giants their 10th win in a row and a 2-0 series lead in the 2006 WHL Finals. It was also a night full of entertainment for the crowd of 13,823 fans, but a nightmare of a performance for both teams defensively.

These guys are on fire. Keep up the good work boys!

Avs roll into Anaheim

The Anaheim Mighty Ducks and Colorado Avalanche open their second-round playoff series on Friday night with Game 1 down in Southern California.

The Ducks went the distance against the Calgary Flames in the first round, winning that set in seven games. The Avs got past the Dallas Stars in just five games in Round 1.

Oddsmakers opened Anaheim as -130 home favorites in Game 1, while the opening total was set at 5.5 goals.

As for the series, the Ducks opened as -136 favorites, while oddsmakers opened the Avalanche as +116 underdogs.

The Ducks and Avs play again in Anaheim in Game 2 on Sunday afternoon, while the series shifts to Denver for Game 3 on Tuesday night.

Senators host Sabres

The Ottawa Senators, the top seed in the Eastern Conference, will be looking to score a home win in Game 1 of their second-round series against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.

Ottawa eliminated the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games in the first round, while Buffalo needed six games to get past the Philadelphia Flyers.

Oddsmakers like Ottawa's chances in this game, as they've been opened as -210 home favorites. The opening total was set at 6.5 goals.

The Sens are even bigger favorites in the series, where they opened at -270 to get through to the third round. The Sabres opened as +230 underdogs on that line.

Game 2 of the series will take place on Monday night, while the set shifts to Buffalo for Game 3 on Wednesday and Game 4 on Thursday.

Do or Die in Game 7

Neither team has won back-to-back games yet in this series but the Anaheim Mighty Ducks will be looking to change that tonight when they visit the Calgary Flames for Game 7 of the Western Conference quarterfinals.

Oddsmakers like the Flames in this one, opening the line at 170 in favor of Calgary. They are 49-27-12 this season, while the Mighty Ducks are 46-29-13.

Last time out, the Mighty Ducks defeated the Flames 2-1 as favorites. That contest went under the closing total.

You can't expect much in the way of offensive fireworks from Calgary. Saddled with the 28th-ranked offence and averaging just 2.7 goals per game the Flames' offence needs to give its defensive unit some help Wednesday in order to have a chance against the Mighty Ducks.

Technorati tag(s): Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Calgary Flames

Ducks Still Alive

This is where they play hockey!

The Ducks showed us how to stay alive last night. When they got their first goal disallowed I thought it was all over. The Ducks showed resilience and battled back after the blown call for the win.

I found this picture of a Flames fan online and had to add it to the post. If your a Flames fan and have a Duck funny Ducks picture send it to me and I will add it to the next post!

The NHL playoff lines haven't come out for game seven yet, but when they do it will be interesting to see who the odds makers favor in this contest.

Get your online hockey betting information at the Bodog hockey.

Technorati tag(s): Mighty Ducks

Sabres Can Advance

The Buffalo Sabres can advance to the second round of the NHL Playoffs if they can pull ou a victory tonight when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers for Game 6.

The Flyers are favored slightly by the bookmakers, who opened the game at 125. They are 47-28-12 on the season, while the Sabres bring a 55-26-6 mark to the table. The total has been set at 6.

After being shut out in last game's loss against Buffalo, Ken Hitchcock needs more production from his offence. If the forwards and power play falter again, don't expect many over players Tuesday.

Ducks on Brink of Elimination

The Anaheim Mighty Ducks need to win Monday night to stay alive in the playoffs - they face the Calgary Flames in Game 6 of their series at home.

Calgary leads the best-of-seven series 3-2. Jarome Iginla scored twice in Game 5 to allow the Flames to maintain home-ice advantage.

Oddsmakers like the Ducks in this one, opening the line at 140 in favor of Anaheim. The OVER/UNDER is set at a low 5.

Calgary won at home against the Mighty Ducks last game as favorites, tallying a score of 3-2. The total went into the books as a push.

Jean-Sebastien Giguere allowed three goals on eight shots before being pulled in favor of Ilya Bryzgalov last game, and if the Ducks are to win tonight they need solid goaltending to match Calgary's Miikka Kiprusoff.

NHL playoff betting

Oilers Seeking Playoff Upset

The Detroit Red Wings need to pick up a win in Game 6 of their playoff series on Monday night to avoid being eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers.

Betting on the NHL Playoffs? Oddsmakers like the Red Wings in this one, opening the line at 165 in favor of Detroit. OVER/UNDER betting opened at 6.

Mike Babcock's team hopes to rebound from a 3-2 loss at the hands of the Oilers in Game 5. They were favorites in a game that went under the total.

The Oilers have taken an early lead in the last four games, but have let the Wings back into the game every time. Dwayne Roloson will need to stay hot in net for Edmonton to clinch.