NHL Division Finals

The NHL Division Finals–the second round of the playoffs–begin tonight. Here’s a look at the four series ahead of us, along with what the betting markets–the collective opinion of the oddsmakers who issue opening numbers and the heavy bettors who then move those numbers with their cash–think about each one.
ATLANTIC DIVISION FINALS: Tampa Bay vs. Montreal: The market says this is the best of the second-round matchups, as it goes off at Pick’em.
It’s a great battle of goaltenders, with Montreal’s Carey Price and Tampa’s Ben Bishop. The Lightning have great offensive talent, led by Steven Stamkos and including Tyler Johnson, who was great in Tampa’s seven-game series in over Detroit. The Canadiens have one of the most explosive defensemen in the league in P.K. Subban. He’s a dirty player, as his slash in Game 1 against Ottawa–that went inexcusably unpunished by the league–indicates. But Subban on the power play is as dangerous as there. You have to attack him and make him give up the puck or his amazingly strong shot either scores or creates rebound opportunities.
Game 1 is on Friday in Montreal (7 PM ET, NBCSN)
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