Montreal may be in a 2-0 series hole, but It's hard to rule out any team that has Carey Price in net. (Photo credit: © Bridget Samuels)
Two games into the second round of the NHL playoffs, three of the eight quarter-finalists are already being given up for dead.
The Minnesota Wild, Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens all face steep odds of advancing to the conference finals after losing the first two games of their respective series.
Calgary is the biggest underdog, paying +700 to rally past the Ducks.
The Canadiens are +475 to come back against the Lightning, while the Wild is +400 to dig out of its 2-0 hole against the Blackhawks.
In the only series that is tied 1-1 through 2 games, the Rangers are still -145 favourites over the Capitals even though Washington has home ice in three of the last five games (if necessary).
NHL Second Round Odds
With all apologies to Flames fans, Calgary certainly appeared overmatched in its first two losses to the Ducks and +700 isn’t quite enticing enough for us to consider betting on them to come back, even though they will be home for the next two games and three of the next four (if the series gets that far).
The Canadiens and Wild are intriguing possibilities, however.
Montreal fell apart in Game 2, but let’s not forget that Game 1 could have gone either way (Tampa won in overtime) and the Habs are certainly capable of beating Tampa in four of the next five. Montreal swept the Lightning last year, after all.
We agree with oddsmakers that Minnesota has the best chance at a comeback. The Wild has lost two competitive games and, unlike Montreal, both its losses came on the road. Now the series shifts back to Minnesota, where the Wild is historically very tough in the playoffs, and it’s not difficult to imagine Minny evening the series with a pair of wins on home ice.
Even if you don’t think Minnesota can complete the comeback, you could bet on Minnesota +400 now and then hedge your bet by taking the Blackhawks in the -200 range if the series is tied going into Game 5. That would allow you to guarantee yourself a profit, regardless of what happens the rest of the series.