| NHL Playoff Prediction: Montreal Canadiens vs Philadelphia Flyers |
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| Written by Scott Burgess | |||||||
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Thursday, 24 April 2008
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 The Montreal Canadiens start the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers, who they swept during the regular season. After the Canadiens were tested by the eighth seeded Bruins, it’s going to be interesting how this series will turn out. Oddsmakers at SBGglobal.com figure the Canadiens as 185-moneyline favs over the Flyers +165 with the over/under set at 5 ½. Get your NHL Playoff Prediction in now at SBGglobal.comThe Flyers went 0-4 SU against the Canadiens this season and were outscored 6-15. Their two road games in Montreal only had two goals compared to the six allowed. The Flyers will be playing their third game in four nights in three different cities. This could be a disadvantage, with fatigue, or an advantage in momentum. The Flyers took a 3-1 series lead over Washington, but the Capitals came back to force a seventh game which saw the Flyers win in overtime. Goalie Martin Biron played alright winning three straight after dropping Game 1. This is his first time in the playoffs for Biron; he’s currently 4-3 with a 2.67 GAA after stopping 218 shots. He also had his first playoff shutout in Game 2 in Washington. The Flyers have no shortage of goal scorers. Leading his team and the NHL is Daniel Briere with six goals and five assists, Vaclav Prospal has three goals and six assists and Michael Richards has two goals and five assists. In fact 17 different players have either a goal or an assist. They are 4-6 SU during their last ten away from home. The Canadiens were forced into a Game 7 situation by the eighth seeded Boston Bruins, who they beat eight times in a row throughout the regular season. They outscored the Bruins 19-15 and they shut them out twice, thanks to the outstanding goaltending from Carey Price. Price, the rookie who got them into first place in the East going 15-3, finished the series with a 4-3 record and a 2.09 GAA. The Canadiens top performers against the Bruins were Sergei Kostitsyn with three goals and three assists and Andrei Kostitsyn with three goals and two assists. They don’t have defined goal scorers but rather a team effort they have depth. Coach Carbonneau moved Alex Kovalev to a line with Koivu and Chris Higgins. Kovalev assisted on the Canadiens' first two goals Monday and brothers Andrei and Sergei Kostitsyn joined forces on a line centered by Tomas Plekanec and combined to score Montreal's last three goals. Expect the same for tonight’s game. The Canadiens are 8-2 SU during their last ten on home ice. Recent Trends to Consider
GAME: Philadelphia Flyers (46-32-5-6) at Montreal Canadiens (51-27-5-6) DATE/TIME: Thursday, April 24 - 7:00 PM EST LINE: SBGglobal.com TOTAL: 5.5 PICK: Montreal -185 The Bottom Line: The Flyers have more grit and toughness, but the Canadiens have stronger offense and better goaltending. It’s going to be crazy at the Bell Center with the Habs taking Game 1. Get your NHL Playoff Prediction in now at SBGglobal.com                        |
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