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Matt Skinner here with your NHL Playoffs 2012 Capitals vs. Rangers Game 1 odds, available at Belmont.com, which is currently offering hundreds of dollars in FREE CASH with your initial deposit.
In a rematch of a first-round matchup in the playoffs a year ago, the Rangers and Capitals square off once again this year with the rolls reversed.
Last year, it was Washington who entered as the top seed in the East and knocked off the Rangers in five-games en route to the 2nd round. This year, it is the Rangers who have the top seed and would like to get some revenge with the stakes significantly higher.
Belmont line and total: Washington +140/ New York -160 and 5
These two split the season series in every sense of the word; going 2-2 SU and 1-1 at home respectively. New York did manage to get some revenge for last year’s playoff loss with a 6-3 win in Washington in their first meeting, but knocking them out in the 2nd round of the playoffs as top dog would surely make them smile that extra bit more. But they were pushed to the brink by an Ottawa team that Is nowhere near as talented as the Caps and weren’t even expected to be in the playoffs. A quick turnaround forces New York to switch gears just as fast as the likes of shutting down Ovechkin, Semin and Backstrom are now their tasks.
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Washington has to deal with the Rangers changes as well. In last year’s series New York didn’t have the likes of Brad Richards and as his contract states; he is an elite player in this league. Braden Holtby stood tall against Boston and now must go against another phenomenal goalie in Lundqvist. Game 1 is always a tentative process with teams looks to establish themselves for the series and Holtby must do the same. He has got to prove that his play against Boston was no fluke as he is 1-0 SU vs. the Rangers this year as he won the game they played in early April.
Including last year’s playoff series, the past four times these two have met in the Big Apple, at least five goals have been scored each time and Game 1 shouldn’t be any different. Both are coming off emotional Game 7 victories and it will be hard for either to ramp up the emotions to be mentally and physically prepared for this. That means there will be numerous mistakes out there and with all the scoring talent flying up and down the ice, expect some goals.
Take the over.
- Matt Skinner, Gambling911.com
