One-half of the Stanley Cup Final could be set today, with a team that one year ago nobody thought would sniff the playoffs. Covers checks in on the action for today’s lone NHL postseason game, along with tonight’s NBA playoff tilt, with insights from Nick Bogdanovich, director of trading for William Hill US.
NHL
Vegas Golden Knights at Winnipeg Jets – Open: -145; Move: -140
Vegas opened as a 100/1 long shot at William Hill US to win the Western Conference title, yet now is just one victory away from that milestone, in its inaugural season no less. The Golden Knights (62-27-7) lost Game 1 of this series, then won the next three games, including a 3-2 Game 4 victory Friday as a -116 home favorite to take a 3-1 series lead.china nike nfl jerseys cheap
Winnipeg opened the West finals as a -140 series favorite and looked the part with a 4-2 Game 1 win. But the Jets (61-27-10) haven’t put more than two pucks past Marc-Andre Fleury since then, seeing 35 of their 37 shots on goal stopped in the Game 4 loss.nike nfl jerseys cheap china
“We’re definitely gonna need Winnipeg today, but road games are not as much of a decision with the Knights,” Bogdanovich said of this 3 p.m. ET puck drop. “Home games are where we tend to get slaughtered.”cheap nfl nike jerseys from china
William Hill US opened the Jets -145 early Saturday morning and dipped to -140 shortly thereafter, but there has been no movement in the price since then. The bigger issue today is conference futures liability, something William Hill is resigned to at this point.
“That ship sailed a long time ago,” Bogdanovich said, noting William Hill is a low-six-figure loser in the West futures book if Vegas closes out this series. “But the Western Conference we can fade. It’s the Stanley Cup where we get punished.”
Indeed, William Hill is looking at a nearly $2 million hit should Vegas win the Stanley Cup.cheap nike nfl jerseys free shipping
NBA
No. 1 Houston Rockets at No. 2 Golden State Warriors – Open: -7; Move: -7.5
Golden State heads into Game 3 of the Western Conference finals with home-court advantage, thanks to a victory in the series opener. The Warriors (67-27 SU, 53-40-1 ATS) didn’t have as much in the tank for Game 2, however, losing 127-105 as a 2-point road underdog Wednesday.
Houston was in must-win mode for Game 2, not wanting to head to California in a 2-0 hole. The Rockets (74-20 SU, 48-45-1 ATS) built a 64-50 halftime advantage and led by double digits the entire second half to even up the series.
Bettors, however, are leaning on the Warriors for this 8 p.m. ET tipoff.nfl cheap jerseys nike
“We opened 7, it’s up to 7.5, all Golden State money,” Bogdanovich said. “It’s probably sharp and public. There are 8s out there now, so I’m assuming there’s some sharp play.”