For me there is noting more suspenseful in a hockey game then overtime. Especially during the playoffs.

Here is a list of the longest Stanley Cup overtime playoff games and who ended it with the game winning goal (GWG)

I have to admit I’m not a Dallas Stars fan. Not at all, actually. Marty Turco is a great goal tender and an even better stick handler, but he’s a bit too cocky for my liking. Mike Modano is one heck of a player but there’s something about the guy that rubs me the wrong way (is he too good?). But there’s no doubting the talent and determination of this team. In last night’s game against the San Jose Sharks they made darn sure their presence was felt in the Shark Tank and by putting in three quick goals in the third period they took the fans right out of the game. And up two games in their series against San Jose, they look like they’re headed into the Western Conference finals. Who knew…?

If you had to pin point one factor in the Stars’ recent success you’d have to consider Turco’s performance as of late. Turco was huge for the Stars in the series against Anaheim, as he went 4-2 with a 2.01 goals against average and .912 save percentage. So far against San Jose, he is 2-0 and has stopped 54-of-58 (.931) shots thrown his way.

And like I said, I’m not exactly Turco’s number-one fan…but there’s no denying the guy is coming up big when his team needs him most.

Currently in most sportsbooks, the Dallas Stars are 4/1 favorites to win the Stanley Cup.

The second round of the NHL playoffs started last night with a victory by the Montreal Canadians over the Philadelphia Flyers, and a huge win by the Detroit Red Wings over the Colorado Avalanche. Tonight’s action pits the Pittsburgh Penguins against the New York Rangers, and the San Jose Sharks against the Dallas Stars.

I have to admit (and please don’t think I’m being too smug here), but so far so good. I was surprised to see the Ottawa Senators swept in the first round, but good for Sid the Kid to get his team to the second round. I was kind of hoping on seeing Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals make it past Round One, but what are you gonna do? And so much for a repeat Stanley Cup win for the Anaheim Ducks. Whatev.

Anyway, here’s a glimpse of how things stand as of today. Good luck with your brackets! Don’t forget to get your NHL playoffs betting lines and NHL Stanley Cup odds while they’re hot…

Note: Unlike the NCAA Basketball Tournament, which is what most sports fans think of when they hear the word “bracket”, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are not based on a true bracket system. After the Conference Quarterfinals, the No. 1 seed is assured of playing the lowest-seeded team in the conference. The higher seed of any matchup receives home ice advantage.

The first round of the NHL playoffs ended with a bang Tuesday night. In a pair of Game 7 clinchers, the Philadelphia Flyers (+145) beat the Washington Capitals 3-2 in overtime, and then the San Jose Sharks (-185) chased Miikka Kiprusoff from the net in a 5-3 victory over the Calgary Flames.

The Flyers’ win means they’ll face the top-seeded Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Pittsburgh Penguins will face the New York Rangers, who dusted off their suburban rivals from New Jersey in just five games. Pittsburgh leads all teams in playoff profit after the first round with 6.65 units, courtesy of a four-game sweep of the Senators. The Pens covered all four games against the spread.

In the West, the Sharks avoided the golf course and earned themselves a second-round matchup with the Dallas Stars, thus ensuring the latest chapter in the Detroit Red Wings-Colorado Avalanche saga will be written. Get the foil.

What a thrill ride for hockey fans this year. Not only are there going to be some classic matchups in this years quest for Lord Stanley (Montreal vs. Boston for one) but it took all 82 games of the regular season to determine who plays who.
The schedule is as follows:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Montreal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins (starts Thursday)
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators (Wednesday)
Philadelphia Flyers vs Washington Capitals (Friday)
New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers (Wednesday)

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Detroit Red Wings vs Nashville Predators (Thursday)
Calgary Flames vs San Jose Sharks (Wednesday)
Minnesota Wild vs Colorado Avalanche (Wednesday)
Anaheim Ducks vs Dallas Stars (Thursday)

Long-term injuries are the least of their problems. For these NHL Western Conference teams it’s going to take a lot of hard work and a healthy attitude from now on if they want a shot at the playoffs:

9 Vancouver Canucks
10 Phoenix Coyotes
11 Columbus Blue Jackets
12 St. Louis Blues
13 Edmonton Oilers
14 Chicago Blackhawks
15 Los Angeles Kings

The Eastern Conference features a few teams that were once Stanley Cup contenders. A lot can happen in a year:

9 Buffalo Sabres
10 Atlanta Thrashers
11 Washington Capitals
12 Florida Panthers
13 New York Islanders
14 Toronto Maple Leafs
15 Tampa Bay Lightning

With 25 games left in the regular season there’s still hope for teams like the Vancouver Canucks and the Buffalo Sabres, for example, who can still turn their game around and make a strong showing in the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs. But if the playoffs started tomorrow, well…let’s just say they’d better brush up on their golf swing.

Looking for the best NHL betting odds? Try these reputable online sportsbooks: Bodog, Sportsbook.com and 5Dimes.