Betting NHL playoff eventualities: Penguins and Panthers heading in reverse instructions

The battle for the final two playoff spots within the NHL’s Jap Convention seems to be like a three-horse race.

The Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, and Detroit Crimson Wings held on so long as they might however petered out, whereas the Washington Capitals’ demise felt extra like demise by 1,000 cuts.

With these 4 golf equipment trying like extreme lengthy photographs, we’re left with the Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Florida Panthers combating for the 2 wild-card spots within the East.

Getting into play Monday, the Islanders sit within the first wild-card spot with 80 factors however have performed two extra video games than the Penguins, who’re within the second wild card with 78 factors, and Panthers, who’re one level behind the Pens.

Apparently, the bookies nonetheless see the Penguins because the workforce almost certainly to qualify for the spring fling. Pittsburgh is presently -350 to get into the dance at bet365, whereas the Islanders are -140 and the Panthers are -110.

That doesn’t appear proper.

Whereas the Islanders and Panthers are clearly flawed, it’s not just like the Penguins are trending up and look to be on the cusp of some huge run.

Pittsburgh has the shakiest goaltending scenario of the three groups within the hunt and goes via a little bit of an damage disaster in the mean time.

The workforce’s depth was already a problem — particularly on protection — and has been thrown into additional flux because of accidents to Jeff Petry, Dmitry Kulikov and Nick Bonino.

The latter two had been acquired on the commerce deadline to handle the aforementioned lack of depth.

And whereas the Islanders and Panthers have steadied themselves through the stretch run, the Penguins have gone the opposite manner.

Pittsburgh is 5-4-1 in its final 10 video games and simply 10-9-1 with a -11 objective distinction because the All-Star break.

Issues get even bleaker if you happen to return even additional.

After an awesome run of type via November and early December, the Penguins hit a wall throughout Christmas and by no means actually recovered.

The Pens are simply 15-16-5 because the vacation break, which places them behind Arizona and Anaheim in that span. This isn’t just a few blip.

Betting on the NHL?

So why are the Penguins’ odds a lot shorter than the opposite two combatants on this tussle?

It’s not the power of schedule.

The Islanders, Panthers and Pens have fairly comparable runs down the stretch whenever you have a look at their opponents factors share.

The truth is, if you happen to have a look at the fast time period, it seems to be like Pittsburgh has the roughest trip of the three groups this week.

The Islanders have a troublesome sport in opposition to the Maple Leafs on Tuesday, however they’ve obtained a manageable back-to-back with Columbus and Buffalo into the weekend.

Florida performs Detroit and Philadelphia on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, earlier than issues get testy in dates with the Leafs and Rangers.

Pittsburgh, in the meantime, has Ottawa at dwelling on Monday night time after which travels for a back-to-back in Colorado and Dallas on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Pens then journey again dwelling to play the Capitals for his or her fourth sport in six nights. There’s an opportunity that the Penguins are in a a lot worse spot on the finish of this week than they had been firstly.

Which makes me marvel if the explanation that Pittsburgh is a transparent favourite is as a result of this workforce hasn’t missed the playoffs in 16 seasons.

The betting market is giving the Pens the advantage of the doubt even supposing they’ve proven again and again that they’re a really flawed workforce this season.

These odds look unsuitable, and Pittsburgh to overlook the postseason at +265 is nice worth.