NHL Playoffs: Chicago, Philadelphia win conference final openers
By Jack Williams • May 17th, 2010 • Category: NHLThe Montreal Canadiens got a reality check in Game 1 of the NHL Eastern Conference Final on Sunday, getting bombed 6-0 by the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Cinderella team will try to rebound in Game 2 on Tuesday (7 pm ET, Versus), or the best-of-seven series could be over fast.
But the Flyers are -150 moneyline favorites in NHL Odds at JustBet. The over/under is 5.
Montreal entered Game 1 of the best-of-seven series on a roll, having upset the first-overall Washington Capitals in the first round and the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins in the conference semifinals.
The teams split the season series 2-2 before Philadelphia blew out the Habs Sunday as a -145 home favorite.
Philadelphia beat the Boston Bruins in seven games in their Eastern semifinal, becoming just the third team in NHL history to comeback and win a best-of-seven series after trailing 3-0.
Also Tuesday, the Chicago Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks battle in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final (10 pm ET, Versus).
San Jose is a -140 moneyline favorite and the over/under total is 5.5 in NHL Betting at JustBet.
The Blackhawks pulled off a bit of an upset in Game 1 Sunday, edging the Sharks 2-1 as a +110 road underdog.
Chicago beat the Vancouver Canucks in six games in their West semifinal series, while San Jose got past the Detroit Red Wings in five games.
Chicago is 6-3-0-1 in the past 10 meetings with the Sharks, including Game 1 on Sunday.
Jack Williams is a longtime sports writer and handicapper. Jack attended the University of Florida, where he earned a degree in journalism.
In the '80s, he began his career as a sportswriter, first in Miami, then in New York City, where he still lives.
He is a big fan of the New York Jets but he still has a soft spot for the Gators.
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