The Cheat Sheet: April 15th, 2011

Gather around hockey fans and devoted gamblers, the playoffs are here, and there’s money to be made. While most fans this time of year are looking at the games through “fan goggles”, and betting on their favorite teams, we’ll try to see things from a balanced perspective, and find value where there’s misconception. Today on the docket: 4 games, sorted into Gold picks, Silver Picks, Bronze Picks, and black lumps of coal.

Let’s see how today’s numbers break down, using the trusty database-recall system.

—

—

Friday’s Sheet:

—

– The story of the playoffs so far has been goaltending–8 games down, 4 shutouts, average GAA under 2.00.

– Today’s betting lines are all slightly shaded towards series splits, as Pittsburgh, Washington, and Nashville, all open at slightly shorter prices despite winning their respective game 1’s. I’m actually more inclined to bet these series to go 2-0 with the slightly better prices.

—

Agree with the Gold pick? Disagree with it? See a betting line on the board that seems wrong? You know what to do (fill up the comment section).

—