I’m still not over last night’s triple-overtime game. For me, it’s not the wins or the losses that stick with me, it’s the losses that occur when they shouldn’t have. Case in point: last night’s game between the Rangers and Penguins. The Rangers banged in what should have been the go-ahead goal, and the Penguins offered a desperate challenge, knowing that it was their only hope that late in the game.
The video replay confirmed that while there was goaltender interference, it was caused by Pittsburgh’s Brian Dumoulin pushing New York’s Kaapo Kakko into Casey DeSmith. Simple, straightforward; that’s a good goal for the Rangers. And then…nope. Despite the clear video evidence, the goal was disallowed…and the Penguins then won the game three overtimes later.
That one shouldn’t have happened. But it did, and we move on to try to even things up today. Here are my plays for May 4.
HURRICANES ML, -120
As long as the Hurricanes keep going off at these odds, I’m going to ride them until Boston shows me that it can win. The Bruins didn’t show much of a sign of being competitive in this series in Game 1, getting routed 5-1 by Carolina. This might be the most disrespected talented team we’ve seen in a long time in the NHL, and I intend to take full advantage of it.
MAPLE LEAFS ML, -130
I hate the idea of overreacting to one game, but I’m starting to think Tampa Bay might be mentally cooked after two years of dominance. The Lightning never got any time off after the first Stanley Cup win, and they’ve now been through having to win 32 playoff games plus play 138 regular season games. Throw in the 13 playoff losses, and the Lightning have now played 184 games in the past two calendar years. This team looks like it’s running on fumes, and with the Leafs hungry, Tampa Bay might be done.
BLUES ML, +105
I’m still not selling on St. Louis until Minnesota proves to me that it can win a game against the Blues. Right now, the Notes own the Wild, having won 10 of the past 11 meetings between the two. I admit being a tad worried that St. Louis backs off a bit in Game 2 after playing a perfect game in the opener, but with how good the Blues looked, I can’t pass on plus money.
LOUISVILLE CITY WIN TO NIL, +170
Yes, I’ll reach into the USL Championship today, because I just saw Louisville City rout Pittsburgh on Saturday and I know for myself how good this team is. Atlanta United 2 is not a quality reserve side, and LouCity has already kept six clean sheets in nine matches. If I’m willing to bet the Veikkausliiga, I can certainly bet the American second division when I’ve watched in person.
FC CINCINNATI AND BTTS, +220
I might get drummed out of the Gabacho Borracho podcast for this one, but I’m going to ride with Cincinnati in running it back against Toronto FC. The Orange and Blue had no problems picking apart TFC over the weekend, and I think the same thing happens again in this one. That said, Cincinnati has kept one clean sheet all season, and Toronto tends to put goals home. I think both teams will find the net tonight in southwestern Ohio.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS TO LIFT THE TROPHY, -250
Corey is a lot more confident than I am that the Sounders will win the match tonight against Pumas UNAM in the CONCACAF Champions League final. Personally, I’m a bit apprehensive that we’ll actually win, in large part because we do not need to win to win the trophy. The Sounders claim CCL with either a win or a draw of 0-0 or 1-1. I do expect the Sounders to push for the first goal and try to choke off Pumas’ hopes, but I think this will finish in a draw that sees the Sounders win on away goals.
