Posted on 5/8/2008 5:24:19 PM

NHL Ice Hockey Playoff Betting Preview

By Dave Golokhov

Dallas Stars @ Detroit Red Wings

It’s been four days since the Dallas Stars eliminated the San Jose Sharks and even though the NHL has lost some online betting playoff momentum (basically because they don’t know how to make a proper schedule), the Conference Finals round finally begins on Thursday.

The Dallas Stars – along with the Philadelphia Flyers – were not expected to be here.

The Stars were supposed to be stopped in the opening round of the playoffs when they had a rigorous matchup against the reigning Stanley Cup Champions. But they disposed of the Ducks in only four games. In the second round, the Stars took a surprising 3-0 choke hold on the San Jose Sharks – another team they were expected to lose to – before winning the final game of the series in the fourth overtime.

The Red Wings were supposed to be here and anything short of a Conference Finals appearance would have been disappointing. But they have had their share of positive surprises so far in the postseason. Even though Dominik Hasek flamed out on them early in round one, Chris Osgood has posted a 6-0 record with a 1.52 GAA.

The main question for the Red Wings entering the playoffs – outside of goaltending – was if there would be supportive scoring for the top line. While Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg have combined for a healthy 26 points, Johan Franzen has led the way with 14 points. With Franzen’s emergence and the Red Wings able to role three effective lines, they appear to be running a smooth-oiled machine.

But the Stars are the team that is playing their best hockey right now. They went through Anaheim and San Jose while Detroit went through an eight seed in Nashville and an injured team in Colorado.

Not only that, but the Stars appear to be the team playing with the house’s money while the Red Wings carry the pressure. The Red Wings won the President’s Trophy and expect nothing less than a Stanley Cup.

While the Red Wings might have more of a scoring punch, Stars goalie Marty Turco is playing better than any of the four remaining goaltenders. He was peppered with shots all the way through the Sharks series – including the four-overtime affair in Game 6 – and he’s stood on his head. He will have to again in this series.

The Red Wings figure to have an advantage in Game One. They are 7-2 when playing on three or more days of rest. The Stars are just 6-6 in that same situation.

The Red Wings won three of the four meetings but I still like the Stars. My strategy is to take both dogs in the Conference Finals and look for at least a split.

NHL Free Picks: Dallas Stars +180

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