Posted on
4/21/2008 2:53:44 PM
NHL Furious Free Picks 2008 – Can Montreal Finally Ice Boston?
By Tim Furious
Boston Bruins (41-29-12) vs. Montreal Canadiens (47-25-10)
Monday, April 21st --- Bell Centre, Montreal --- 7:00pm EST
Series: TIED 3-1
NHL Betting Line: Montreal -200
The online hockey betting community knows Montreal was supposed to have Boston in their back pocket heading in to this matchup, yet here we are. We’re looking at an inexplicable Game 7 in a one-versus-eight matchup where the top-seed had literally destroyed Boston the entire season. Now Montreal, 6-1 SU in their last 7 home games, has to defend their honor, their fans, and their sportsbook betting faithful in a tough matchup tonight as heavy favorites.
Boston has played simply outstanding in the last four games, outscoring Montreal 12-6 in the process and blowing apart the legacy that Carey Price is trying to build. It’s kind of tough to look at the betting trends and build a defense for Boston. The only one is that Montreal hasn’t lost three-games in a row this season. And that’s the only defense for Montreal.
How do we really feel about Carey Price? Even as heavy favorites throughout the series, Price has shown evidence of how intense the pressure can be, especially for a first year net minder who just turned 20 years old. The Habs have averaged 2.71 goals against per game, and while Price has been magnificent, he hasn’t been the same animal in the playoffs that he was in the playoffs.
Boston has rocked Montreal lately, and that has to do with coaching because this roster is thin at best. Claude Julien is out for blood against his former team, and he has gotten it in buckets. He has rewarded the Boston betting faithful in the post season, after they fell to 0-12 SU against the Habs. Does he have one more game in him?
To be honest, I don’t know. Teams expend a lot of energy trying to catch-up after dropping behind 3-1 in any seven-game series. But, for me, there are concerns about Price and the Canadiens handling the undeniable pressure swell that they will feel as favorites at home. But, just as GSP did at UFC 83 in the Bell Centre on Saturday, I like the home team tonight. I just don’t see Boston coming through in the clutch. Upsets are always fun, but…
NHL Furious Free Pick: Montreal -200 (UNDER)
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