The Phoenix Coyotes host the Detroit Red Wings, Wednesday April 14, as the Coyotes make their first playoff appearance since 2001-02. These two squads have split their last four meetings. NHL oddsmakers at BODOG.com have the Coyotes as slim -110 moneyline favs to beat the Red Wings (-105) with the over/under listed at 5 goals . Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: 2010 NHL Playoffs: Detroit Red Wings vs Phoenix Coyotes Predictions in now at BODOG.com
The Red Wings were the Stanley Cup champion two years ago and the finalist last year. They are a very experience team and are always a favorite to make the final. Just weeks ago the Wings were well out of a playoff berth because of injuries. Well they got their healthy squad back and went 15-4 to finish in fifth. "We've got a proud group here. I think we easily could have been derailed if we didn't have good leadership and our best players didn't care a lot. But they found a way to dig in."The great thing about the playoffs is we all know everybody has a shot now . It's as tight as it's ever been top to bottom. And, in particular in the West, I think there's a lot of parity. It should be fun." The Red Wings will start on the road in the opening round of the playoffs for the first time since 1991. Goalie Jimmy Howard won 37 games this season with a 2.26 GAA and a .924 SVPCT. He is also up for the Calder (top rookie) and Vezina (top goaltender) trophies. But all that matters little now. Howard is simply another rookie goaltender who's never started a playoff game. "We've been playing playoff hockey here since Christmas time."
The Coyotes have two Wings from earlier in the season. Teammates for two years in Detroit, current Coyotes Robert Lang and Mathieu Schneider know a little bit about Red Wings' playoff mystique. "Over the years, everyone has scouted the Red Wings in and out 50 times. In the end, it's just a good team. They are a veteran group and they have done it a bunch of times in the playoffs. We have to get ready and when they come, you make sure you're bringing what you have .” The Coyotes don’t have the playoff experience as the Wings do, but they sure have veteran players with lots of NHL time. Defensemen like Ed Jovanovski, Adrian Aucoin, Derek Morris and Schneider team with Keith Yandle, Zbynek Michalek, Sami Lepisto and James Vandermeer to give the Coyotes a deep, talented defense in front of record-breaking goalie Ilya Bryzgalov. Ilya Bryzgalov is 42-20 with a 2.29 GAA. The additions of Wojtek Wolski, Lee Stempniak and Petteri Nokelainen have added to Phoenix's scoring and depth up front, giving the team four legitimate lines for coach Dave Tippett to roll.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Favorite is 12-4 in the last 16 meetings.
- Home team is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
- Over is 11-5-2 in the last 18 meetings.
- Over is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings in Phoenix.
- Coyotes are 13-3 in their last 16 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Coyotes are 13-3 in their last 16 games as a home favorite of -110 to -150.
- Red Wings are 13-3 in their last 16 vs. Western Conference.
Detroit Red Wings vs Phoenix Coyotes
When: Wednesday April 14, 2010 10:00 PM ET
Line: BODOG.com
Pick: Coyotes -110
Point-Spreads.com 2010 NHL Playoffs: Detroit Red Wings vs Phoenix Coyotes Odds & Predictions
The Bottom Line: The Coyotes are playing their best and they are pumped to be in the playoffs. Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: Detroit Red Wings vs Phoenix Coyotes Odds & Predictions in now at BODOG.com and receive a 10% Deposit Bonus and start winning today!
