A clear difference exists between the NHL Playoffs compared to any other sport. No other professional post season can top the Stanley Cup Playoffs for surprises and thrills. Consider that the top two regular season teams went down in epic NHL betting online first round upset losses. In fact, the Columbus Blue Jackets pulled off one of the great upsets in playoff history. CBJ brought out the broom in an epic four game sweep of the Presidents Trophy champion Tampa Bay Lightning. Now the question is if they can keep momentum going against the Boston Bruins.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Boston Bruins Eastern Conference Semifinal
Date and Time: Thursday, April 25th, 2019
Location: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio and TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
NHL Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Jackets | +1½ (-220) | 5½ (-110) | +120 |  |
| Bruins | -1½ (+180) | 5½ (-110) | -140 | |
| ||||
Blue Jackets vs. Bruins TV Coverage: NBCSN and NBC
Series Format
Boston will have home ice advantage in this series with games one, two, five and seven at TD Garden. Meanwhile Columbus will host games three, four and six. The first team in this series to win four games moves on to the Eastern Conference Final.
First Round Results
Boston is coming off a grueling NHL betting online seven game series win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Home ice proved to be the difference in game seven with the Bruins prevailing 5-1. By contrast Columbus enters this series having had nine days off to rest and prepare. Tampa Bay was considered a lock to win the Stanley Cup. Thus, the Blue Jackets stunning four game sweep is indicative of their own capability as a bona fide contender.
Boston vs. the Line
Late on Boston has been a top online betting value at home with 15 payouts in their last 19 home games. Six of their last nine at home have gone under the total. Additionally, Boston has won seven of their last 10 on the road. Seven of their last nine on enemy ice have cleared the total.
Columbus vs. the Line
Along the same lines Columbus has paid in seven of their last eight home games. Three of their last four at Nationwide Arena went over the total. Further CBJ has got the cash in seven of their last eight on the road. Under the total has hit in 12 of their last 15 away tilts.
Head to Head
Now this head to head sportsbook has been even between these two teams recently. Boston and Columbus have each won four of the last eight games between them. Nine of the last ten between CBJ and Boston have gone over the total. Home ice has been an advantage when these clubs hook up. Boston has won seven of their last ten games over Columbus at TD Garden. Five of the last six in this matchup at Beantown went over the total. Contrarily Columbus has won three of their last four at Nationwide Arena against the Bruins.
Matchup to Watch
In this situation Boston’s scoring depth and playoff experience is the NHL betting online difference. And Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask is in top playoff form.
Blue Jackets vs. Bruins NHL Betting Online Picks
In sum Boston should prevail in hard fought series.
Blue Jackets vs. Bruins NHL Betting Online Series Pick: Boston Bruins
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