The sports book makers were not disappointed by the Western Conference quarter-final game one between the Los Angeles Kings and the Vancouver Canucks. Sports betting experts picked the Canucks to win, and the Canucks did wind up winning the game. But what the hockey betting world forgot about was the young, fast and smart Los Angeles defense lead by U.S. Olympian Jack Johnson.

The Los Angeles Kings almost pulled off the upset in game one against the Canucks, and it seemed as though the only line on the ice for the Canucks was the Sedin twins Henrik and Daniel, and honorary Sedin twin Alexandre Burrows and that may have been by design.

It is no secret to the Stanley Cup betting world that the Canucks rely heavily on the Sedin twins for their offense. But with players such as Mikael Samuelsson, Ryan Kessler and Mason Raymond each having more than 50 points during the regular season the Canucks are capable of beating a team in so many different ways. In game one the Kings let the Sedins run rampant and hoped that Los Angeles goalie Jonathan Quick could keep the Sedins off the scoreboard. It didn’t work as the Sedins combined for four points in the game and Samuelsson got two points of his own.

With all of their grit and determination the Kings lack the guns up front to compete with a team like the Canucks. On defense it seemed like the Kings would sit back on the Sedins and then attack everyone else. While that seems like a recipe for disaster, it did offer the Kings the chance to skate around the rest of the Canuck team at times.

If it were not for Jonathan Quick in net for the Kings then game one would not have gone into overtime. Quick faced 44 shots and made 41 saves. That is a huge effort against one of the top offensive teams in the league. The tell-tale stat for that game is the number of shots that the Kings managed against Luongo in the Vancouver net which was only 27.

The problem that the Kings face is if they become too aggressive and decide to attack the Sedin line then the Sedins and Burrows will rack up points all night long. The idea of sitting back on the Sedins means that the Kings can keep that line somewhat contained, and then try to weather the storm until there is a line change. It is the only strategy the Kings have against the Canucks, and it did not result in a win for game one.

The unknown in all of this is how Luongo will react if the Kings do manage to get 35 or more shots on him in game two. Even though he is the newest Canadian Olympic hero, Luongo cannot shake his reputation for choking in big games in the NHL. The only chance the Kings have is to try to increase the shot count against Luongo and see if he cracks. In the meantime, the Kings will also have to figure out a way to keep the Sedins from scoring. It is doubtful that the Kings have the personnel to pull off that two-headed game plan.

Pick: Vancouver 4-2

Stanley Cup betting is about to get underway as Atlantic Division rivals Philadelphia and New Jersey will square off, and the Devils would like to send a message in the first game after the Flyers dominated the season series.

Flyers vs Devils odds – Wednesday, April 14, 7:30 PM ET

The Flyers needed to go all the way to a shootout to get to the postseason, edging the New York Rangers 2-1 on Sunday after a tough home-and-home series between two teams clawing for the playoffs. Matt Carle scored in the third period to tie the game up, while Brian Boucher stopped Olli Jokinen to put the Flyers in the second season. The Flyers should have won this game more handily, as they outshot the Rangers 47-25, but New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist stood on his head to keep the Rangers in it, and the Flyers should be proud of beating one of the best goalies in the game.

Jamie Langenbrunner scored the winner with three second left in a 2-1 win at home over Buffalo on Saturday, while Travis Zajac tied the game in the second period. Martin Brodeur stopped 22 shots for the Devils, who enter the playoffs with four wins in their last five games, and Brodeur has allowed four goals in those five games. The surefire first-ballot Hall-of-Famer was a little shaky after the Olympic break, and sports book players were wondering if getting pulled for Roberto Luongo on the Canadian team affected him mentally. But Brodeur is one of the top five goalies in NHL history, and he proved that he’ll be alright.

Online sports betting odds should favor the Devils in the first game of this series, and the Flyers have lost three of their last five in New Jersey. There may be some worry for New Jersey fans as the Devils have lost five of six against the Flyers this season, including one of two at home, and they’re going to need Boucher at his best. Brodeur has been miserable against the Flyers this year with a 1-4 mark in six games with a 3.34 GAA and a .878 save percentage, but we’re willing to bet anything that he turns it around for the playoffs, especially given the roll that he’s on right now. Many are wondering if the Flyers spent all of their bullets just trying to get into the postseason, and going on the road in their first game, Philadelphia may not have the energy that New Jersey has.

NHL betting pick: New Jersey

When the online betting for The Masters starts to wind down on Sunday April 11, so will the regular season in the NHL. The sportsbooks will be closed on another season, and the online sports betting for the playoffs will begin. But before we can do an NHL game preview on the playoffs, there is one more pre-playoff heavyweight battle taking place in the regular season.

Second place in the Eastern Conference has been an ongoing battle between the Pittsburgh Penguin, New Jersey Devils and the Buffalo Sabres. While the Sabres have owned the second spot in the conference for the least amount of time, they are still in the mix.

The sports betting in the NHL this season has focused mainly on the Washington Capitals, but second place in the Eastern Conference gives home ice advantage up to the conference finals, and that is something definitely worth fighting for.

The Sabres have already announced that they will more than likely rest superstar goaltender Ryan Miller in their last two games of the regular season. Forward Jochen Hecht is out with an upper body injury and backup goaltender Patrick Lalime will start even though he just got done with a bout of the flu. Winger Thomas Vanek is expected to play the last two games of the season which should give the Sabres some needed scoring punch.

The Devils may continue to play goaltender Martin Brodeur as he has been very hot lately with two shutouts in his last three games, and the Devils need to keep Brodeur’s momentum going. The Devils are extremely happy with their pick up of scoring machine Ilya Kovalchuk, and they may rest him some in these last couple of games to prepare for the playoffs. The Devils other scoring machine Zach Parise may also see limited ice time as the Devils prepare for the playoffs.

There is a lot at stake in these last two games for both teams. Not only are the Devils fighting for second place in the conference, but they are also in a battle with the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins for first place in the Atlantic division. The Devils and the Penguins have identical regular season records and this battle promises to come down to the last game.

The Sabres are a better home team than away team and they would benefit from second place in the conference. The only team they would not have the upper hand with as far as home ice goes is the Capitals. But the Sabres are guaranteed to be no lower than third in the conference as they have clinched the Northeast division. The Devils could fall to fourth if they do not continue to win. These last two games mean a lot to the Devils.

The Sabres are still without Patrick Kaleta, Jochen Hecht and Tim Connolly. Even with those players out of the lineup the Sabres are finding ways to win. But with a queasy Patrick Lalime in net, and the Sabres looking towards the first round of the playoffs, the focus will not be on the New Jersey Devils.

Pick: New Jersey Devils 6-2

Although NCAA tournament Final Four Odds are the hottest topic of the sports betting world, the College Basketball Invitational is also coming to a close this week. Featuring some of the top teams not invited to the NCAA tournament, the College Basketball Invitational is now entering the championship round. Out of the elimination rounds, the Virginia Commonwealth Rams and Saint Louis Billikens have emerged to vie for the CBI championship. Here is a preview for game two of the CBI championship series between VCU and Saint Louis.

VCU Rams vs. Saint Louis Billikens

Wednesday, March 31, 8PM (ET)

Sportsbook Point Spread: VCU -1.5

After winning the first game of the best 2 out of 3 CBI championship series, Virginia Commonwealth is looking to put a close to the Saint Louis Billikens in game 2. The Saint Louis Billikens enter this game with a 23-12 record while VCU enters with a 26-9 record. Played at the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, the hometown crowd might be an advantage for the Billikens and VCU has struggled on the road all season. In game one of the series, VCU defeated Saint Louis 68-56 and will look to capture the CBI title Wednesday.

What the Saint Louis Billikens need to do to win

Basketball Betting Odds: VCU -1.5

Open up the game: All season, the Saint Louis Billikens have played a low scoring, defensive style of basketball. Averaging only 64.3 points for and 59.9 points against, the Billikens will need to open up their offense to compete with VCU.  Forwards Willie Reed and Cody Ellis will be expected to increase their offense in this CBI championship rematch along with guard Kwamain Mitchell. Mitchell and Ellis managed only 10 point apiece in game 1 and will both need to significantly up that mark to even the series. VCU has averaged over 76 points per game this season and loves to play a flashy offensive game. If Saint Louis wants to even this series, they will need to play a more offensive style of game.

What the VCU Rams need to do to win

Sports Betting Odds: VCU -1.5

Quiet the Saint Louis fans: Thus far this season, VCU has been a sad 5-7 on the road. Facing Saint Louis in front of a hostile road crowd won’t help this record unless the Rams can quiet the Saint Louis crowd early. To make matter worse, each of the past two CBI championship series’ has gone to a third game.

Let their big scorers control the game: Led by scorers Larry Sanders, Joey Rodriguez, and Bradford Burgess, the VCU Rams have looked dominant in the CBI tournament to this point. Rolling through Boston University and the first game of the final series against Saint Louis, these three players have carried the play. Sanders has helped his team at both ends of the court all season averaging close to 10 rebounds per game, while Rodriguez scored a game high 22 points in the first game of the CBI championship. If these three players continue their dominant play, the VCU Rams will be raising the CBI tournament trophy sooner rather than later.

Online betting fans had a rough opening to the first round of the NCAA Tournament as they saw their brackets and March Madness picks go up in flames.

With seven upsets on the first day and more pouring in on the second, there were lots of brackets being put through the shredder recently.

One team that didn’t disappoint was the Kentucky Wildcats, who as the No. 1 seed in their region, had no problems dropping East Tennessee State.

The Wildcats are supposedly a young team that needs experience and they got their feet wet in the opening round.

Meanwhile, Wake Forest needed some miracles to get past Texas. The Longhorns had a chance to hit the game-winning free throw at the end of regulation, but slipped up. Then they also had a chance to take a two point lead as the end of the first overtime was nearing, but they missed the shot again. Then, Wake Forest took advantage and scored the game-winning shot.

Now they find themselves in a tough second-round matchup with Kentucky, who will likely send them packing.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs Kentucky Wildcats

BetPhoenix Odds (BetPhoenix Reviews): Kentucky -9

The Wildcats have been one of the best teams in the nation all year long and they are going to get a shot against a team that is limping into their matchup.

The Demon Deacons lost five of six prior to the tournament and needed some missed free throws from Texas just to even get to this point. They are going to be loose and relaxed, but they simply don’t have the talent to compete with Kentucky.

The big matchup will be inside between Patrick Patterson and Al-Farouq Aminu, both of whom could be lottery picks in the 2010 NBA Draft.

The main difference between Wake Forest and East Tennessee State – in Kentucky’s eyes – should be the fact that there is a much smaller margin of error in this game. Kentucky is the far better team talent-wise once again they have the advantage almost everywhere against Wake Forest, but they can’t afford to be sloppy in any way. If they leave an opening, Wake Forest will be competitive but if Kentucky isn’t half asleep, they are going to run away with this one. Wake Forest is simply overmatched.

March Madness Betting Pick: Kentucky -9

The big dance is only days away and sports fans across the globe are discussing College Basketball Betting. The NCAA tournament is almost here, but basketball fans are also watching the opening round of the NIT. Traditionally thought of as a consolation tournament, the NIT often offers games that equal if not eclipse the excitement level of the big dance. March Madness is here whether you’re watching the NCAA Tournament or the NIT. Here is a preview for the NIT game between the Tulsa Golden Hurricane and the Kent State Golden Flashes.

Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Kent State Golden Flashes

Wednesday March 17, 12:00PM (ET)

Sportsbook Point Spread: NO LINE YET

In a game featuring the number 4 versus number 5 seeds, you can be sure it will be a heated matchup. Kent State finished first overall in MAC standings this season sitting 13-3 in conference play and 24-9 overall. Many believed Kent State was an NCAA tournament team, not a mid level seed in the NIT. Tulsa, who played in the tougher C-USA finished the season 10-6 in conference play and 23-11 overall. Both teams enter this NIT game with something to prove and you can expect an intense game from tip off to finish.

What the Tulsa Golden Hurricane need to do to win

Sportsbook Reviews Odds: NO LINE YET

Force Kent State to double team: Tulsa features three legitimate scoring threats in Ben Uzoh, Jerome Jordan, and Justin Hurtt. All three are averaging a minimum of 14 points per game and can dominate on any given night. If one of these players steps up, Kent State might be forced to double team, which would open up the court for the other two Golden Hurricanes scorers. Behind these three, Tulsa features a deep line-up of contributors, although no one likely has the ability to break a game open.

The key to the Tulsa Golden Hurricane offense is definitely Jerome Jordan. Tulsa can expect Kent State defenders to zero in on Jordan not only because of his 15 points per game, but because Jordan leads all players entering this game with 9 rebounds per game. Tulsa needs to box out the opposition and let Jordan get to the basket.

What the Kent State Golden Flashes need to do to win

March Madness Bracket: NO LINE YET

Rely on solid team play: With a name like the “Golden Flashes,” you would expect more flash from Kent State. Not the case. Kent State has consistently won games all season using a balanced team attack and solid defence. The NIT tournament is no time to change this strategy. Kent State has allowed an average of less than 65 points per game all season. Not only that, but Kent State has performed well on the road this season, which should bode well for their neutral location against Tulsa.

Up front, no player on Kent State averaged more than 14 points per game this season. Bench scoring has been a strength for this team. If Kent State can continue to get balanced scoring from their top 6 players and keep the score low, this will be their game to lose.