Hart Trophy:  Henrik Sedin
The Hart Trophy is awarded to the player that is deemed to be the most valuable to his team.  It’s decided by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association in all NHL cities.  Past winners include Wayne Gretsky, Bobby Orr, Mark Messier, Gordie Howe, and Mario Lemieux.  It’s no wonder Henrik Sedin has joined this list of prestigious names, as he remained one of the top ranked players throughout the regular season with 29 goals, 83 assists, and 112 points.  He also helped lead his team through to the second round of the Staley Cup Playoffs consistently proving to be a valuable asset.

Venzia Trophy: Ryan Miller
The recipient of this annual NHL award is voted on by the general managers of all NHL clubs and is awarded to the goalie judged to be the best at their position.  This year’s winner, Ryan Miller, had an outstanding season, posting a 48-18-8 record, a 2.22 Goals Against Average, and a 0.929 Save Percentage.  He not only helped the Buffalo Sabres secure a place in the postseason, but also put on an outstanding performance through the 2010 Winter Olympics for Team USA.  He joins a list of the NHL’s most accomplished goalies, including Patrick Roy, Bernie Parent, Jacques Plante, and Martin Brodeur.

James Norris Memorial Trophy: Duncan Keith
This award is given to the defense player that shows the greatest all-around ability throughout the regular season.  It’s decided in a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.  This year’s winner, Duncan Keith, was ranked among the top defensive players throughout the regular season.  He racked up 14 goals, 55 assists, 69 points, and the chance to hoist the Stanley Cup as the number one defensive player for the Chicago Blackhawks.  He joins a list of past winners that includes Scott Niedermayer, Nicklas Lindstom, Ray Bourque, and Bobby Orr.

Calder Memorial Trophy: Tyler Myers
The Calder Memorial Trophy is awarded to the rookie that demonstrates the highest skill in their first year of competition.  It;s decided with a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association with each voter ranking the top five candidates on a point system.  Past winners of this award include Patrick Kane, Evgeni Malkin, Mario Lemieux, Ray Bourque, and Bobby Orr.  Tyler Myers of the Buffalo Sabres was deemed to be this year’s top rookie as he collected 11 goals, 37 assists, and 48 points while showing great proficiency and calm under pressure.

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy: Martin St Louis
This prestigious piece of hardware is awarded to the player that demonstrates the best sportsmanship and overall gentlemanly conduction combined with the highest playing ability throughout the regular season.  This year’s recipient, Martin St Louis, was decided upon by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.  St Louis faired well throughout the season with 29 goals, 65 assists, and 94 points, but it was his calm and collected nature that put him at the front of the running for this year’s award.  He joins such previous winners as Wayne Gretsky, Frank Boucher, Bobby Hull, and Pavel Datsyuk.

Frank J Selke Trophy: Pavel Datsyuk
Awarded to the forward player that displays the best defensive abilities, this trophy is one of the newer additions to the NHL Awards.  The winner is decided by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writer’s Association.  Past winners include Steve Yzerman, Guy Carbonneau, and Bob Gainey.  Pavel Datsyuk, a center for Detroit, has proven to be a master of the back check as he was reliably found helping the defense clear the puck from the defensive zone throughout the regular season.  His efforts helped the Red Wings secure a top eight rank, and helped them through to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  All of this while picking up 27 goals, 43 assists, and 70 points.

Jack Adams Award: Dave Tippett
This award is one for the coaches.  It’s presented by the National Hockey League Broadcasters’ Association, and is given to the coach that has shown the most contribution to his team’s success.  Past winners of this award include Jacques Martin, Bruce Boudreau, Jacques Lemaire, and Pat Quinn.  This year’s winner, Dave Tippett, came to the Phoenix Coyotes at their worst possible moment.  It was a team struggling with financial troubles while ranking among the worst in the league.  With Tippett’s leadership the team not only saw some of the highest attendance rates in franchise history, but they also achieved a number three ranking in the season as well as a place in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy: Jose Theodore
The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded to the player that demonstrates the highest quality of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game.  It is awarded under the trusteeship of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.  Jose Theodore joins a long list of prestigious winners, which includes Phil Kessel, Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, and Bob Bourne.

Ted Lindsay Award: Alex Ovechkin
Formerly known as the Lester B Pearson Award, this trophy is given to the “most outstanding player” as voted by the fellow players of the National League Players’ Association.  This year’s winner, Alex Ovechkin, has won the award the previous three years.  His talents on the ice speak for themselves as he is consistently ranked among the top players in the NHL.  Other winners include Dominik Jasek, Mario Lemieux, Mark Messier, Brett Bull, Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, and Guy Lafluer.

Bridestone Messier Leadership Award: Sidney Crosby
This is one of the newest additions to the NHL Awards ceremony as it was first awarded after the 2006-07 season.  It’s given to the player that displays the greatest leadership qualities to his team.  The NHL takes suggestions for the nominees of this award from the fans, clubs, and NHL personnel.  The winner is ultimately decided by Mark Messier himself.  Sidney Crosby, captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has consistently been a huge force for his team.  Not only did he rack up 51 goals, 58 assists, and 109 points this season, but also helped lead the Penguins to a playoff run, and secured the gold medal for Team Canada with an overtime goal against Team USA at this year’s Winter Games.

NHL Foundation Award: Ryan Miller
Introduced in 1998, this trophy is awarded to player that applies the principles of commitment, perseverance, and teamwork to off the ice activities aimed at benefitting the community around them.  Past winners include Kelly Chase, Joe Sakic, Marty Turco, and Olaf Kolzig.

Best Game
-    Twins beat Tigers in Extra Innings (AL Central)
-    Canada over USA (Olympic Hockey Gold Medal)
-    Duke over Butler (NCAA Championship)

Performance Under Pressure Award
-    Sidney Crosby in Olympic Hockey Gold Medal Game
-    Landon Donovan in World Cup v Algeria
-    Brett Favre in his return to Green Bay
-    Stephen Strasburg in MLB debut

Best NHL Player
-    Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)
-    Ryan Miller (Buffalo Sabres)
-    Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals)
-    Henrik Sedin (Vancouver Canucks)
-    Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay)

Best Male College Athlete
-    Blake Geoffrion (Wisconsin Hockey)
-    Mark Ingram (Alabama Football)
-    Evan Turner (Ohio State Basketball)
-    John Wall (Kentucky Basketball)
-    Garrett Wittels (Florida International Basketball)

Here’s a look at the entire order selection of the Entry Draft set for Friday, June 25:

Number of Picks

Anaheim - 7, Atlanta - 9, Boston - 8, Buffalo - 9, Calgary - 7, Carolina - 11, Chicago - 8, Colorado - 7, Columbus - 8, Dallas - 4, Detroit - 7, Edmonton - 10, Florida - 9, LA - 9, Minnesota - 8, Montreal - 5, Nashville - 6, New Jersey - 5, NY Islanders - 10, NY Rangers - 5, Ottawa - 5, Philadelphia - 5, Phoenix - 5, Pittsburgh - 7, San Jose - 4, St Louis - 6, Tampa Bay - 8, Toronto - 6, Vancouver - 6, Washington - 6

Anyway, while I’m still reeling from their loss, here’s a look at the Conference Finals.

The West
San Jose v Chicago Blackhawks
These two teams battled it out all through the season for the top two positions in the standings.  Now, the no. 1 ranked Sharks are facing off against the no. 2 ranked Blackhawks to decide who’s the best in the West.

Game 1 has already been played, and Chicago is off to a great start with a 2-1 victory.  It was a close game in which both teams played fantastic defense.  San Jose started things off with a goal on the power play by Jason Demers.  Chicago tied it up in the second period with a shot from Patrick Sharp and finished it off with a goal from Dustin Byfuglien in the third.

Chicago racked up 10 minutes in penalties, which isn’t going to bode well if the Sharks can figure out how to take advantage of those power plays.  Though, credit must be given to the Blackhawks’ ability to kill the 5 on 4 advantage, as they only allowed one goal though the entire game.  Goalie Antti Niemi was a big part of their Game 1 success as he made an impressive 45 saves.  In fact, if not for his exceptional performance, the result could have been very different as the Sharks outshot the ‘Hawks 46 to 40.

As mentioned, San Jose will need to figure out a way to take advantage of the power play as they were given ample opportunity with the man advantage in this game.  If they can do that, a win in this series is highly likely.  Their game is much more consistent than Chicago with a talented offense led by Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton.  They’re also sporting a very solid backline led by Dan Boyle.  Maybe they’ve found their feet again since their break, and Game 2 will see a much more aggressive San Jose squad in the Shark Tank.

Keep checking BetUS to put down a wager on the upcoming Game 2 at San Jose.

The East
Montreal Canadiens v Philadelphia Flyers
This series is one for the underdogs as both of these teams were supposed to have taken their walking papers in round one.

Game 1 is done and dusted between these two teams, and Philadelphia killed it with a 6-0 shutout to take the series lead.  Montreal looked like an eighth seeded team rather than the miracle team that has been slaying giants throughout these NHL playoffs.

Both offensive lines were pretty evenly matched in this one.  Philly managed 25 shots on goal while Montreal had 28.  Philadelphia was able to capitalize more on the power play, putting away 2 goals with the one-man advantage.  Montreal didn’t get any.  It looks like the key in this one was defense.  It all came down to the goalies, and unfortunately, tonight was not Jaroslav Halak’s night.  He was replaced by Chris Price midway through the game.  But, the damage was done as Philly was up 4-0.  On the other side of the ice, Michael Leighton continues to do a fantastic job minding the Philly net.

If the Canadiens want to catch up in Game 2, they offense is going to have to step it up.  Michael Cammalleri has been a fantastic leader throughout these playoffs, but he was largely quiet through Game 1.  They’re missing Andrei Markov, which could help explain their shoddy defense through this game.  They’ll need to figure out a way to fill in that massive hole because they can’t count on their goalie to win every game for them.

The puck drops on Game 2 on Tuesday, May 18 in Philly.  Keep checking BetUS for all of the most up-to-date odds on this series matchup.  Remember that BetUS is also offering plenty of other lines on the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  These include:

Will a Canadian team win the Stanley Cup?
Yes: 8/1
No: 1/15

To Win the Stanley Cup:
Chicago Blackhawks: 2/1
Montreal Canadiens: 33/1
San Jose Sharks: 2/1
Philadelphia Flyers: 65/1

San Jose Sharks v Detroit Red Wings - Sharks lead 2-0
It looks like the good momentum has carried over for the Sharks as they have kicked off their series against the Wings with a pair of 4-3 victories.  They’re not only leading the series, but are looking stronger and faster than the Stanley Cup veteran Wings, particularly in game 1 when they racked up an impressive three goals in the first period alone.

Game 3 takes place on Tuesday, May 4 and the Wings are in a tough position.  Historically, they haven’t done well against a 2 game deficit in the playoffs, but a return to the home ice might be enough to inspire a win.  They’re struggling when it comes to the power play, going 0-for-5 with the man advantage in game 1.  They didn’t do much better in game 2 as they only picked up a single goal on the power play.  The offense will need to step up to take advantage of those opportunities, especially now that they’re down two games.

The Sharks will be hoping that their good momentum doesn’t run out as they hit Motor City.  Though, with the offense firing on all cylinders as it has been, another win seems imminent.  They outshot the Wings 45 to 31 in game 2 with Joe Pavalski and Joe Thornton coming through in a big way.  If they can continue with this offensive domination, Detroit will have their hands full on the home ice.

BetUS is offering the following odds:
Moneyline
Sharks: +1 ½ -200
Red Wings: -1 ½ +165
Puck Line
Sharks: +145
Red Wings: -165

Vancouver Canucks v Chicago Blackhawks - Series tied 1-1
If game 1 of this series is any indication, it doesn’t look like the Canucks are going to fall to the Blackhawks again this year.  They completely dominated the struggling Chicago team in a massive 5-1 victory on Saturday night.  Though, after promising to be much more physical in game 2, the Blackhawks looked much more prepared.  They allowed only two goals in the first period and managed to hold off the Canucks’ offensive charge through most of the game.  After tying up the game early in the third, Chicago completely turned things around.  Patrick Kane grabbed a goal to give the ‘Hawks the lead and followed it up with another goal on an empty net.  This series just got interesting.

Pittsburgh Penguins v Montreal Canadiens - Series tied 1-1
I don’t think there were many people out there that saw this matchup happening, but the Canadiens proved that they will not be underestimated as they defeated the heavily favored Washington Capitals.  After game 1 against the Pens, it looked like their Stanley Cup run was all but over as the Pens clobbered the Habs 6-3.  Though, not to be outdone, they battled back in game 2 to take a substantial 3-1 win over the defending champs.  If the Habs can continue to make the most out of the power plays this could be a very interesting series indeed.

Game 3 will take place on Tuesday, May 4 in Montreal.  Goalie Jaroslav Halak continues to save the day for the Canadiens.  He made an impressive 38 saves in the Habs’ victory over the Pens in game 2.  A bad night from their goalie could spell the end of the Canadiens, which is something they’re aware of.  Watch for them to amp up the offense in an effort to take some pressure off the net.  Michael Cammalleri is leading the way with seven goals in the last six games.

Before you write off the Pens in this road game, keep in mind that more than a few of these boys hail from Quebec, and plenty more have experience playing in the area, so there should be a decent amount of support for the Pens at the Bell Centre.  They’ll need to watch the power play.  One of the biggest assets of the Canadiens’ game is the fact that they can take advantage of the power play.  The Pens will need to come up with a strategy for killing the 5-4 situations while taking their offensive onslaught to the next level.  It’s going to be a fantastic game, and BetUS is offering the following odds:

Moneyline
Penguins: -1 ½ +170
Canadiens: +1 ½ -210
Puck Line
Penguins: -160
Canadiens: +140

Boston Bruins v Philadelphia Flyers - Boston lead 2-0
The postseason has seemingly rejuvenated the Bruins, as the offensive line is looking better than ever. They started out their second round series against the Flyers with a 5-4 OT win with Marc Savard taking the winning OT goal in his first game back from the injury list.  This was followed up by another tight battle, as neither team was giving up much in game 2.  The score stayed tied 2-2 for much of the game, but Boston picked it up the third and winning goal late in the period to give them their 3-2 win and their 2-0 series lead.  They’ll hit the ice for game 3 on Wednesday, May 5.

Don’t forget to keep checking BetUS for all of the most up-to-date odds as the Stanley Cup Playoffs roll on.  Keep in mind that in addition to their game odds, BetUS is also offering series odds.  Check it out before the puck drops in game 3.

Pittsburgh Penguins v Ottawa Senators
The Senators proved that they weren’t going to go down without a fight in this series. They started off by going 1-0 in the series and even managed to force a game six after edging past the Pens 4-3 in game five, but it just wasn’t enough to get them past the Pittsburgh offense. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have been on fire throughout these playoffs, and they’ve shown they’ll settle for nothing less than another shot at the Stanley Cup. They finished off the Senators on Saturday with a 4-3 win in Ontario.

Washington Capitals v Montreal Canadiens
The Caps aren’t looking quite as strong as many had predicted going into this series. Many (including myself) fully expected the Caps to come into this and sweep the Canadiens in four games, especially when you consider the terrible finish Montreal had to the regular season. Though, it just goes to show that the playoffs truly are a whole different game. The Canadiens have been holding on in this series, proving that you can never count them out. First they forced a game six with a 2-1 win, and then followed it up with another big 4-1 win to force a game seven. They hit the ice running, going up 2 goals in the first period. They held onto their lead throughout, adding another 2 in the third to secure their win.

Game seven takes place on Wednesday, April 28. Keep checking BetUS for the most up-to-date odds on this matchup.

Buffalo Sabres v Boston Bruins
This has been one of the most entertaining matchups to watch in this opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. It’s been a defensive showdown with both Ryan Miller and Tuuka Rask putting on amazing performances in the net. Though, Boston has the edge. They managed to put the Sabres on the ropes, going up 3-1 in the series, but, feeling their playoff hopes slipping away, Buffalo managed to grab a big 4-1 win on the home ice to force a game six. The series traveled back to Boston, which was just what Boston needed. In the game that would put them through to the Semifinals, the Bruins dominated throughout before finally picking up a 4-3 win.

San Jose Sharks v Colorado Avalanche
Colorado surprised more than a few people in this series as they came into the playoffs with the fire and intensity that gave them such an impressive start to the regular season. The series went back and fourth, with three out of the first four games going into OT to decide the eventual winner. They played hard … up until game five when they were shut out 5-0 in their worst game of the postseason. It was all downhill from there as they didn’t fare much better in game six. San Jose grabbed a 5-2 win to advance to break their playoff curse and advance to the second round.

Chicago Blackhawks v Nashville Predators
Chicago got off to a rocky start in this series to say the least. All of their top forwards were under performing in a big way. Combined with their defensive issues, they allowed the Preds to take a 2-1 series lead. Though, by game four, it looked like Chicago had their troubles worked out. They managed a 3-0 shutout win to tie up the series, and enter into the game five looking like the team that took the number two seed in the West. It looked like they found what they were looking for because they followed it up with two more consecutive wins to put a very dejected Nashville team out of the playoffs and secure their place in the second round.

Vancouver Canucks v Los Angeles Kings
If you like high scoring affairs, this was the series to watch as these two offensive lines were out in full force, and the Kings were giving Vancouver nearly everything they could handle. After a big performance on the home ice, they had the series tied at 2-2, but it wasn’t to last long. With one of the most prolific offensive lines in the league, Vancouver came back in game five with a vengeance. They took a big 6-4 win, which yielded a massive 4 goals in the third period. They followed it up with an even bigger performance, grabbing a 7-2 victory to finish off LA.

Phoenix Coyotes v Detroit Red Wings
This series has gone back and forth with Detroit showing glimpses of playoff brilliance that can only come from 19 consecutive appearance, and Phoenix shutting them down to prove that they’re not going to be intimidated. The series is now tied at 3-3 after the Coyotes marched into Joe Louis Arena and grabbed a huge 5-2 win. The series is heading back to Arizona to decide the winner.

Game seven takes place on Tuesday, April 27 and BetUS is offering the following odds:

Puck Line
Coyotes: +1 ½ -260
Red Wings: -1 ½ +220
Moneyline
Coyotes: Ev
Red Wings: -120

Washington Capitals v Montreal Canadiens - Series Tied 1-1
The Canadiens shocked quite a few people, including all those experts that declared this year the year of the Caps.  I know, I know, there are still plenty of games to be played before a winner is declared, but Washington’s hopes of sweeping this series were dashed right from the start when Montreal picked up a 3-2 OT win.

Though, not to be outdone, the Caps answered back with a win to tie up the series on Saturday night.  But the game was a little too close for comfort for the Caps as it went right down to the wire.  In a high scoring affair that also went into OT, Nicklas Backstom managed to put one in the net just 31 seconds into the sudden death period to give them a 6-5 victory.  Watch for the Capitals to turn up the heat in order to prevent this series from dragging out.  They don’t want to get worn down in round one.  Backstom and Alex Ovechkin are looking strong on the offense while rookie John Carlson has emerged as a surprise defensive force.

Though, these Canadiens aren’t going down without a fight.  The first line of Michael Cammalleri, Andrei Kostitsyn, and Thomas Plekanec are firing on all cylinders, giving the Washington defense all they can handle.   Game three is slated for Monday, April 19 and BetUS is offering the following odds:

Puck Line
Capitals: -1 ½ +165
Canadiens: +1 ½ -200
Moneyline
Captials: -175
Canadiens: +155

New Jersey Devils v Philadelphia Flyers - Flyers Lead 2-1
The Flyers came into the playoffs flying high and it showed in game one.  They battled out a 2-1 win and made the touted New Jersey offense look pretty pitiful in the process.  Goalie Brian Boucher did a fantastic job of minding the net.  He stopped an impressive 23 shots to help Philly to their first win of the 2010 playoffs.

Obviously frustrated by game one, the Devils spent their off day working out a more potent offense.  They came back in game two with a vengeance and grabbed a 5-3 win to tie up the series.  Forward Zach Parise really came through for the Devils as he picked up six shots on goal, one goal, and one assist.  Iyla Kovalchuk was also a major offensive force, putting away a goal on the empty net and picking up two assists.

Game three was a 3-2 win for Philly on the home ice, though it looked like both teams were a little more confident as they hit the ice.  Each dished out as good as they got as the game went back and forth before finally going into OT.  Daniel Carcillo slapped in the final goal to seal the win for Philadelphia.

The two teams will stay in Philadelphia for game four.  Watch for the Flyers to take full advantage of the home ice in this game, as Carcillo and Chris Pronger should continue to put the pressure on the Devils’ defense.  In the meantime, the Devils will be looking to put a stop to Philly’s confidence and a win in Wachovia Centre would be just the ticket.  Watch for Praise and Kovalchuk to continue to come through on the offense while goalie Martin Broudeur goes for his 100th playoff win.

Keep checking BetUS for the most up-to-date odds.

Boston Bruins v Buffalo Sabres - Series Tied 1-1
Buffalo hit the ice running in this series, starting things off with a 2-1 win.  The matchup was touted as a defensive blowout, and it certainly lived up to that name as both backlines battled it out.  Boston outshot Buffalo 39-32, but thanks to Ryan Miller’s impressive 38 saves, they were able to ward off the offensive onslaught to get the win.  Game two was another defensive battle, but it was the exact opposite of game one.  Buffalo outshot the Bruins 35 to 32, but this time Tuuka Rask came out on top as Boston claimed a massive 5-3 victory to even out the series.

The two take to the ice again on Monday, April 19 in Boston.  Expect the Bruins to put on a great show for the home crowd.  Add to that the fact that Buffalo’s Thomas Vanek is out with a foot injury.  I’m guessing Boston will make the most of the opportunity to pull ahead in this series.  BetUS is offering the following odds:

Puck Line
Bruins: +1 ½ -260
Sabres: -1 ½ +220
Moneyline
Bruins: +120
Sabres: -140

Pittsburgh Penguins v Ottawa Senators - Pittsburgh Leads 2-1
Ottawa started the series by stunning the defending Stanley Cup champions in a 5-4 win — in Mellon Arena no less.  Though, it was a familiar position for the Penguins as their Cup bid started exactly the same way just a year ago.  They came back in game two ready to prove they are worthy of their title, handing the Senators a 2-1 loss.  And they followed it up with another big win in game three.  In a stunning performance in which the Pens led for the entire game, Pittsburgh claimed a 4-2 victory to pull ahead in the series.  Sidney Crosby has been on fire throughout, getting two goals and five assists.  Evgeni Malkin has also been a major force for the Pens, picking up three goals and one assist.

These two teams take to the ice again on Tuesday, April 20.  The Senators will have the home ice advantage.  Perhaps it will be enough to sway the momentum in their favor, but my guess is that Pittsburgh is determined to make it to another Stanley Cup Finals.  With their offense playing together effectively, it looks like nothing is going to stop them.

Keep checking BetUS for all of the most up-to-date odds on this series.

San Jose Sharks v Colorado Avalanche
Before you go handing the series to the Sharks in four games, keep in mind that San Jose has a habit of choking in a big way when it comes to the playoffs.  Anyone remember their first round exit last year after they fell to the Ducks despite their number one ranking?  They’re hoping to finally get over their playoff curse as this year they’ve added some experience in Dan Boyle.  He’s one of the few players on the team that has hoisted the Cup in the past, and San Jose is hoping that he’ll show enough leadership and aggression to get them deep into the playoffs this year.  Forward Patrick Marleau will be the offensive force for the Sharks after finishing the season off with a career high 44 goals.  Plus, Evgeni Nabokov is no slouch in the net, posting a 2.43 GAA and .920 save percentage.

The Avs shocked a few fans after jumping from the bottom of the league last season to eighth seed in the playoffs this season.  Thanks to some player and coaching staff shake-ups, they were able to claw their way back up to the top.  They started the season out fantastically, and I’m hoping that that is the team that shows up in these playoffs.  It’s going to be tough, especially since star rookie Matt Duchene is listed as questionable as starting date approaches.  Nevertheless, Paul Stastny and Ryan Stoa finished off the season with a strong showing.  Plus, goalie Craig Anderson has been fantastic in the net.  He won 38 of the 71 games he played and posted a 2.63 GAA and .920 save percentage.  And, he’s well rested as the Avs prepare to hit the ice.  Hopefully we can all expect some big saves.

San Jose might be the smarter bet in this one, but I can’t go against the Avalanche.  I’m holding out hope that this one will go down to game 7 and the Avs will emerge victorious.

BetUS is offering the following odds:
Puck Line
Sharks: -1 ½ +130
Avalanche: +1 ½ -150
Moneyline
Sharks: -240
Avalanche: +200

Chicago Blackhawks v Nashville Predators
Chicago is making their second consecutive appearance in the playoffs for the first time in 13 years.  It’s all thanks to an offensive line full of young superstars that know how to move the puck down the ice.  With Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane at the helm, this team is sporting an impressive six players that have put away 20 goals or more this season.  But, it’s all about offense on this team as their goalies are leaving much to be desired. With Christobal Huet having a subpar season, many are predicting Antti Neimi to be the starter for the ‘Hawks in these playoffs.  He posted a 2.25 GAA and .912 save percentage, but consistency is a problem.

Nashville seems to be the exact opposite of their round one opponents.  They’re lacking when it comes to offense, but have one of the strongest back lines in the league.  Fronted by the Shea Weber/Ryan Suter duo, this defense has only allowed an average of 2.70 goals.  Add 12th ranked Pekka Rinne in the net and you’ve got a defensive line that can stop the best of opponents.  It will certainly come in handy as these guys prepare to face an offensive onslaught from Chicago.  Fronting the Predator offense is lead goal scorer Patrick Hornqvist and lead point scorer Steve Sullivan.

Nashville is capable of pulling off big shockers so don’t count them out.  Ultimately, though, I’m expecting the Blackhawks to take this one in five games.

BetUS is offering the following odds:
Puck Line
Blackhawks: -1 ½ +120
Predators: +1 ½ -140
Moneyline
Blackhawks: -250
Predators: +210

Vancouver Canucks v Los Angeles Kings
Vancouver is arguably the most talented team in the West right now.  They’re ranked second only to Washington in scoring, and are sporting one of the most powerful forwards in the league in Henrik Sedin.  He racked up a league leading 112 points as well as 29 goals and 83 assists.  He’s also fronting a line of Vancouver offensive players that consists of six 20 or more goal scorers.  There’s no doubt that this team knows how to put the puck in the net.  They’re also offering a pretty great defensive line with Roberto Luongo minding the net.  As many of you may remember, he helped Team Canada to their gold medal in this year’s Olympic games.  He’s ranked fifth in the league and should be able to stop anything the Kings have to throw at him.

Los Angeles is making their first playoff appearance since 2002 and it’s a very young and inexperienced team.  Nearly all of their top scorers, including captain Dustin Brown, have never been through the playoffs.  They have no idea of the physical and mental toll the post season can take.  Top goalie Jonathan Quick is ranked sixth in the league, but he too is lacking playoff experience.  The Kings aren’t looking at this as a bad thing though.  Many people panned the Blackhawks for their young, inexperienced players last season and they nearly took the Western Conference crown … from the Red Wings no less.  So, will LA be able to do the same?

Unfortunately, the Kings will be going up against too big an opponent.  With one of the most prolific offensive lines, Vancouver is going to hand LA an early exit this year.  Vancouver in four games.

BetUS is offering the following odds:
Puck Line
Canucks: -1 ½ +160
Kings: +1 ½ -190
Moneyline
Canucks: -190
Kings: +160

Phoenix Coyotes v Detroit Red Wings
This one should turn out to be quite an interesting matchup.  The Coyotes have had a Cinderella season, rising out of bankruptcy chaos to become the fourth seed in the Western Conference.  They’ve had a fantastic year thanks to the expert goal tending of Ilya Bryzgalov.  He’s ranked third in the league and posted a 2.95 GAA and .908 save percentage against Detroit in four matchups this season.  He’s also bringing some Stanley Cup experience to the team, which they will definitely need as they prepare to face the Red Wings who are appearing in their 19th consecutive postseason.  The offense is fronted by point leader Lee Stempniak, Wojtek Woldki, and Radim Vrbata who have all scored more than 20 goals this season.  Don’t count out Shane Doan either as the left wing earned 55 points, 18 goals, and 37 assists.

The Red Wings were one of the best teams in the league after the Olympic break.  They went on to win an impressive 16 of their final 21 games.  That included a big OT finish against Chicago in their final game, proving that you can never count out the Red Wings.  This team is packed with Stanley Cup experience.  With an offense led by Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterbert, these guys are a highly physical team that know how to battle it out for wins in the postseason.  One of the big surprises to emerge for Detroit this season is rookie goalie Jimmy Howard.  He started in three games during the final week of the regular season and claimed wins in all of them, posting a 13-0-2 record this season.

We all like to side with the underdog, but I’m afraid experience is going to win out in this series.  I’m predicting the Red Wings take it in seven games.

BetUS is offering the following odds:
Puck Line
Phoenix: +1 ½ -305
Red Wings: -1 ½ +255
Moneyline
Phoenix: -110
Red Wings: -110

Don’t forget to check out BetUS to put down a wager at all of the odds mentioned above.  They’re also offering live betting throughout the series and plenty of props.  Check out before game time on April 14.

The East and the West have been sorted, and now it’s time to see them battle it out for a chance to ultimately play for Lord Stanley’s Cup.  Here’s a quick look at each round one matchup and my predictions for the East.

Wasthington Capitals v Montreal Canadiens
As any hockey fan knows, Washington is the number one team in the NHL this year.  Plenty of experts have deemed this the year of the Capitals.

Thanks to their fantastic offensive line, this team has left all other opponents in the dust.  With Alex Ovechkin leading the way, the Caps’ offensive line consists of no less than seven 20 goal scorers this season.  That includes at least three that have scored 30 or more.  It’s a defender’s nightmare, as goals will be coming in from every single angle.  Both Alexander Semin and Nicklas Backstrom have been on a hot streak further boosting the already stacked offensive line.

There is no doubt that the Habs have a huge mountain to climb in this series.  It certainly doesn’t help that they hit the skids toward the end of the season, winning only three of their final 11 games.  But, before you count them out, keep in mind that they have done all right against the Caps this year.  They split their regular season series, both taking five points.  This included a stunning OT win for Montreal on February 10.  But, they’ll need to take it to the next level if they want to last in this series.  This includes getting more out of Michael Cammalleri, who has been largely ineffective since returning after injury.

Overall though, I’m thinking it’s going to be too much too soon for the Habs.  I expect the Caps to trounce them in four games.

BetUS is offering the following odds:
Puck Line
Capitals: -1 ½ +105
Canadiens: +1 ½ -125
Moneyline
Capitals: -275
Canadiens: +235

New Jersey Devils v Philadelphia Flyers
This should prove to be one of the more entertaining matchups in round one as these two teams share an intense Atlantic Division rivalry.

There are more than a few people giving this one to the Devils.  It makes sense seeing that they’re putting forward one of their most dynamic offensive lines in franchise history.  Zach Parise and Travis Zajac emerged as major players toward the end of the season, and with the addition of Ilya Kovalchuk, the team has seen a definite boost.  New Jersey is also sporting the best defensive line in the league led by Paul Martin and anchored by Martin Brodeur in the net.  They held their opponents to a league leading 2.27 goals against while Brodeur posted a 3.33 GGA and .878 save percentage against Philly.

The Flyers are coming into this game on some great momentum after their big OT win against the Rangers in their final matchup of the season.  They overcame some key injuries throughout the season to land in the seventh position, and they’re actually looking like a team that could get past the first round.  Even if it is against the favored Devils.  Goalie Brian Boucher has come through in a pinch for the Flyers.  He’s posting a 2.50 goals-against average and .918 save percentage against the Devils this season.

This is a tough one to call, and I’m pretty sure that these two teams are going to take it down to the wire.  But, my guess is that New Jersey will advance with their consistently strong offense.

BetUS is offering the following odds:
Puck Line
Devils: -1 ½ +165
Flyers: +1 ½ -200
Moneyline
Devils: -190
Flyers: +160

Buffalo Sabres v Boston Bruins
This is one of two matchups that I’m particularly looking forward to.  It’s going to be a matchup of two of the better defensive teams in the league, and a showdown between two fantastic goalies.

We all remember what a show goalie Ryan Miller put on during the winter games this year, and plenty of Sabres fans will be looking for him to do the same throughout these playoffs.  He’s the team’s strongest asset, and an off day from him will could be the difference between winning and losing.  The offense isn’t quite as strong.  Nevertheless, Thomas Vaneck and Derek Roy have emerged as offensive leaders.  With 54 goals, 68 assists, and 122 points between them, they will be a tough test for the Bruins top ranked defense.

The Bruins had a rough season, but managed to finish off strong.  They’re still missing a few key players, but should be able to battle this one out.  Like Buffalo, Boston is known for it’s strong defensive line anchored by surprise goalie Tuuka Rask.  He posted a miniscule 1.97 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage, putting him just ahead of Miller.  Boston ranked second in the league for their defense, allowing just 2.33 goals against.  And, with Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci leading the way on the offense, the chances of handing Buffalo an early exit are pretty decent.

I know the slate is wiped when the playoffs roll around, but Boston has dominated the Sabres this season.  They know how to play this opponent and I suspect this will carry over into the postseason.  I’m going with Boston in seven games.

BetUS is offering the following odds:
Puck Line
Sabres: -1 ½ -220
Bruins: +1 ½ -220
Moneyline
Sabres: -170
Bruins: +150

Pittsburgh Penguins v Ottawa Senators
The Stanley Cup champions are preparing to start their bid to defend last year’s win.  The pressure is certainly on as they hope to prove that they’re for rea.

Luck for them, their star player is on one of the hottest streaks in the NHL.  Sidney Crosby took a gold medal and a share in the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for putting away 51 goals, and he’s showing no signs of letting up.  In Pittsburgh’s final six games, Crosby managed 6 goals and 20 points.  He’s an undeniable asset for the team, but he can’t win the Cup on his own.  The Pens’ success hinges on whether or not Crosby and Evgeni Malkin can work together to front that powerful offense.  This is particularly true when it comes to the power play.  They’ve had problems taking advantage of the extra man on this ice this year, but they’ll need to work it out to keep Ottawa at bay.

Though the Senators are up against the defending champs, they’re not worrying.  Key forward Daniel Alfredsson has been largely quiet as the season wrapped up, but Ottawa will be looking for him to pull out all the stops as this guy knows how to play the Pens.  Mike Fisher, Jason Sprezza, and Milan Michalek will also need to step it up on the offense.  The Sens have given up some pretty big losses to Pittsburgh this season, including a 2-8 blowout in December.  That being said, they’ve also handed Pittsburgh some big losses.

This one might be closer than people think, but expect some high scoring affairs from each team as the series rolls on.  In the end, Crosby and the Pens are looking a little too hot to go out early.  Pittsburgh in six games.

BetUS is offering the following odds:
Puck Line
Penguins: -1 ½ +155
Senators: +1 ½ -175
Moneyline
Penguins: -120
Senators: +170

Don’t forget to BetUS to put down a wager before the game kick off on April 14.  They are offering live betting on all the games as well as more than a few props.  Check it out before the puck drops on the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

In the East, the Caps have the top spot sewn up with 114 points.  That’s over ten points more than those battling it out for the number two spot.  The Devils and Pens are tied at 97 points with the Sabres right behind at 96 points.  While the top three are trying to work it out, there are also some questions surrounding the final position.

The Bruins are currently at number seven with 85 points.  They needed a win in their game against the Caps on Monday night for a more secure position, but it wasn’t to be.  Boston was defeated 2-3 in an overtime stunner, which has really put their playoff hopes in jeopardy.  There are three games left for the Bruins, including a Thursday matchup against the division leading Sabres and a rematch against the Caps on Sunday, April 11.  A win in all three final games will be a must if they want to stay ahead of those teams looking to knock them out of their playoff spot.  Leading that charge is the Philadelphia Flyers who are also looking at three more games.  Philly is suffering from some goalie issues, but watch for them to pull out all the stops as they cling to their playoff hopes.

The Blackhawks and the Sharks have been battling it out all season for the top spot in the Western Conference, and it looks like they’re going to take it right down to the wire.  The Sharks are currently holding onto a two-point lead with 107 points to Chicago’s 105 points.  The rest of the conference is looking a little more certain.  The Coyotes continue to shock this season as they have racked up 102 points and are hoping to grab the number three spot.  The Canucks, Predators, Red Wings, and Kings are all also in the mix.  And, the Avs have successfully defended their number eight spot.

It will be interesting to see who ends up where, particularly since the playoff race is so tight at this point.  Every game matters as we play through the final week of the regular season.  The following games are scheduled to take place on Tuesday, April 6 so don’t forget to check it out.  Also don’t forget to check out all the odds on offer on BetUS.

New York Rangers v Buffalo Sabres
Rangers: +1 ½ -290
Sabres: -1 ½ +240

Philadelphia Flyers v Toronto Maple Leafs
Flyers: -1 ½ +230
Leafs: +1 ½ -270

Montreal Canadiens v New York Islanders
Canadiens: -1 ½ +225
Islanders: +1 ½ -265

New Jersey Devils v Atlanta Thrashers
Devils: -1 ½ +225
Thrashers: +1 ½ -265

Ottawa Senators v Florida Panthers
Senators: -1 ½ +230
Panthers: +1 ½ -270

Carolina Hurricanes v Tampa Bay Lightning
Hurricanes: -105
Lightning: -115

Chicago Blackhawks v Dallas Stars
Blackhawks: -1 ½ +200
Stars: +1 ½ -240

San Jose Sharks v Calgary Flames
Sharks: +1 ½ -270
Flames: -1 ½ +230

Los Angeles Kings v Anaheim Ducks
Kings: -105
Ducks: -115

The end of the season is also spurring on the scoring race as the league’s top scorers battle it out for the top position.  The usual suspects are racking up the goals again, but it looks like they have some competition this year.

Sidney Crosby is leading the charge after a wrist shot against Toronto on Sunday night that put him at an amazing 47 goals.  Though, Caps power forward Alex Ovechkin is right behind him with 46.  But is Tampa Bay’s Steve Stamkos going to knock Ovi out of his number two spot?  It’s entirely possible as Stampkos slapped in his 46th goal of the season off the point last Wednesday.  San Jose’s Patrick Marleau is rounding out the top 4 goal scorers of the season with 43.  You can see a few of these goals in the video below as NHL.com has released their top 10 goals of the season.  Check it out and then get to BetUS to take a shot at the upcoming games.