- 5/24/2025
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00:00The conference finals begin tonight in the Stanley Cup postseason between the Carolina Hurricanes and our reigning Stanley Cup champs in the Florida Panthers.
00:09Tonight in Raleigh, it's game number one of the Eastern Conference Finals to set the stage for that.
00:15And of course, what we will see out west between Edmonton and Dallas.
00:19Joe Maddon joins us here on this Tuesday morning for some puck talk on the early line.
00:25Joe, as always, we appreciate your time. Thanks for being here.
00:28Yeah, absolutely. Thank you for having me. We've got great matchups here in the conference finals, and I can hardly wait to see how these do play out.
00:37I think we've got a lot of different ways we can jump into these series, get some future bets in and then jump into tonight's game, which should be a good one.
00:45We will get into game number one. We'll get into the start of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Canes and the Panthers in just a moment.
00:52But of course, Joe, the reigning Stanley Cup champs in Florida back in the Eastern Conference Finals for a third consecutive season, courtesy of a 6-1 blowout victory in game number seven on Sunday on the road in Toronto against the Maple Leafs.
01:10Nine consecutive years for the Leafs into the postseason, never in appearance in the conference finals, more than 20 years, 2002 to be exact, since Toronto's last, since Toronto last got back to the conference finals.
01:25It feels like something is off in the postseason, Joe, for the Leafs each and every year.
01:30Can you put your finger on it?
01:32You know, you've got to look at the core four. The core four just isn't working together.
01:37They're not getting things done. And while Austin Matthews is fantastic, during the regular season, something happens to him here in the playoffs.
01:44Nylander also didn't step up as much as we've seen him in prior years in the playoffs as well.
01:49And you look at the aggressiveness as well that the Florida Panthers came out with, and Toronto wasn't able to match it.
01:54They had 21 shots before Toronto even got their first shot in the first period.
01:59And then you did see, as well, Florida in that second period, open it up the same way, just completely denying Toronto's ability to get those shots on goal.
02:08They came out and just had their number from the start to the finish of that game.
02:12Now, that's something the Florida Panthers do. They wear down teams.
02:15And they truly believed in themselves coming into Game 7, even though they were out there on the road, that they were going to be able to get the win.
02:23So you've got to feel a little bit for Toronto, but they have to break up that core four.
02:27You've got Nylander, Mitch Marner, who is an unrestricted free agent.
02:32You've got Austin Matthews and John Travares. Something has to change.
02:36No, something certainly does, too, because even when you win the first two games of the series, you have a pivotal game number five.
02:41You don't show up. Then you show hard on the road in Game 6.
02:44Then you don't show up again in Game 7.
02:45That's like the worst-case scenario because it wasn't like, oh, two-to-one finals, overtime, we lost.
02:50We were so close. That core has had so many chances in so many years to get the job done.
02:55And getting the job done, being like, hey, why don't you just make a conference finals or even make it to the Stanley Cup,
02:59let alone winning the Stanley Cup, and it hasn't worked out.
03:02But here we are in the Eastern Conference Finals, Joe, the Hurricanes and the Panthers.
03:05If you look at the series prices, we are expecting a great series.
03:09It's the Panthers at minus 130 and the Hurricanes at plus 108.
03:12When you hear those numbers, Joe, what comes to mind?
03:15You know, it's got to be the Florida Panthers for me.
03:18You look two years ago, they were able to sweep here in the Eastern Conference Finals,
03:22the Carolina Hurricanes winning it in four.
03:25And I do think they have every ability to do so in this one.
03:28Now, I'm not calling for the sweep. I am calling them for the win in six.
03:32You're going to have to lay the juice with the Florida Panthers,
03:35but you could also look at that bet in six as well out there
03:38because this team is just playing at such a different level.
03:42And you look at Carolina and you look at Carolina's path to get here.
03:46They took on a beat-up New Jersey Devils team that was so weak on the blue line.
03:50They still had some inconsistencies out there.
03:52It wasn't an easy win over the New Jersey Devils.
03:54Now, they did have their way with the Washington Capitals,
03:57especially on that defensive side of things, locking things down on the Capitals.
04:02But I do expect here, this is a different team here for the Florida Panthers
04:06than they faced in those first two rounds.
04:08And I think Florida, with their elite offense, but as well as their defense,
04:12is going to have the way with this series.
04:14Now, I really like the total goals in this series under 34.5.
04:19I think both of these kills out here are so nice and strong for these teams.
04:24You look at those numbers, 1.8 goals only allowed by the Carolina Hurricanes thus far
04:29in the playoffs.
04:30And while Florida might score a couple more, Florida's defense is so nice and sound.
04:34And I do think this is a lower-scoring game in the conference finals.
04:38The Canes, certainly dominant and impressive, Joe.
04:41They're opening two series against the Devils and the Cavs, as you alluded to,
04:45but a different beast in the reigning Stanley Cup champs in the Panthers,
04:48who have been at least to the Eastern Conference finals in three consecutive seasons.
04:54They've been in the Cup final for two of the previous two years as well.
04:58Game number one tonight in Raleigh.
05:00It is interesting to see Florida as the series' outright favorite
05:04and yet not have home ice advantage.
05:07That is Carolina tonight.
05:08And when you look at the money line price for game number one,
05:11it's short as well, minus 125 on that money line with a total of five and a half,
05:18and the under has the pretty hefty juice.
05:21Joe, what do you expect in the opening game of the Eastern Conference finals
05:24on this Tuesday?
05:26Well, we know how dominant the Carolina Hurricanes were at home all season.
05:30Their inconsistencies did come out there on the road.
05:33This team has been rested for a while, and they've been preparing to take on
05:36either Florida or Toronto, and I think they would have had Florida circled,
05:40expecting to take them on here.
05:41So they do have that advantage of more time to be able to prepare for this matchup.
05:46The Florida Panthers are off just playing two nights ago versus the Toronto Maple Leafs,
05:52and I do think this could be a letdown spot for them.
05:54Now, I don't love what we're going to have to pay here for the Carolina Hurricanes on the money line
05:59at minus 125.
06:00I do think live betting this one could be a great opportunity.
06:03I would look at this first period to be that lower scoring.
06:07Under one and a half goals in the first period, as well as the full game,
06:09staying under that five and a half.
06:11It's coming in at minus 130.
06:13But I do expect Carolina to be able to get the win in this game.
06:17I'll be looking for a better number than minus 125 when the game kicks off.
06:21It is really interesting as well, Joe, because as you alluded to,
06:25and what we're seeing in both of our conference final spots tonight,
06:29the team that was victorious in Game 7, just a 48-hour turnaround with one full day of rest.
06:35The Thunder remained at home to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on the ice.
06:40Florida had to go from Toronto, now back down to North Carolina to take on the Canes
06:44in the opening game of the Eastern Conference Finals on this Tuesday.
06:48We'll talk the Western Conference Finals that begin tomorrow night on a Wednesday in Big D in Dallas.
06:56The Stars favored in game number one, but the Oilers, a slight outright favorite in the series.
07:03Is this the year for Connor McDavid and Edmonton?
07:07Maybe, just maybe, bringing a cup back to Canada,
07:11the lone remaining Canadian team here in the Conference Finals round of the Stanley Cup postseason.
07:16Joe Maddon's not going anywhere. We're back on the early line next.
07:20The Conference Finals of the Stanley Cup postseason begin on this Tuesday in North Carolina
07:26between the Hurricanes and the Panthers.
07:29It's game number one of the Eastern Conference Finals.
07:31Our reigning Stanley Cup champs looking to get back to the Stanley Cup Final once again in the Panthers.
07:37Two years ago when they reached the Cup Final but came up short,
07:41they did sweep Carolina in the Eastern Conference Finals.
07:44Joe, tomorrow night begins the Western Conference Finals in Dallas.
07:49The Stars, a home ice favorite in game number one,
07:52but the Edmonton Oilers, a series outright favorite in the Western Conference Finals
07:58to get back to the Cup Final, of course, once again.
08:02An incredibly razor-thin edge makes the Oilers an ever-so-slight series favorite
08:08in the Western Conference Finals.
08:10Joe Maddon, who do you give the edge?
08:12What is your prediction for the Western Conference Finals between Edmonton and Dallas?
08:17It absolutely pains me to say this, you guys,
08:19but I do think the Edmonton Oilers will be able to take this series.
08:23They're coming in right around that minus 118 to minus 120
08:26for them to take this series,
08:28but I'm also going to take them coming in here in six.
08:31You're taking them in six at plus 195.
08:33You look at this team, and while we have depth all up and down the Dallas Stars,
08:38we've got those big names over there as well on all of these lines.
08:43Edmonton is just playing at a different level.
08:45You look at them, what they were able to do versus Vegas.
08:48Now, Skinner was able to get back-to-back shutouts in that matchup,
08:52and you also look at the fact the power play just wasn't converting there
08:56for the Edmonton Oilers.
08:57As soon as his power play starts clicking,
08:59and I do think it has to start clicking here,
09:01versus the Dallas Stars, I think it will be the difference maker.
09:05So your big story is going to be Leon Dryside, O'Connor McDavid,
09:08against Mikko Rantanen.
09:10While there's other playmakers,
09:11Mikko Rantanen has been an absolute star out here for the Dallas Stars,
09:15being able to rack up those points,
09:17leading the postseason here in points.
09:20Edmonton will need to slow him down.
09:22Now, Edmonton always gets criticized,
09:23and I've been one to criticize their defense,
09:25but their defense in these playoffs has really been able to show up.
09:29Skinner's proven himself in between the pipes,
09:31as well.
09:32This team is absolutely dangerous to go all the way
09:35and hoist the cup this season.
09:38By the way, taking a look here, Joe,
09:40at the Stanley Cup Finals here.
09:42The thing we love about the NHL, to be honest,
09:44is the fact that everybody has a chance.
09:46Look at the odds at the FanDuel Sportsbook to win the cup.
09:48Plus 240, plus 240, plus 280, and a 3-1 price.
09:53So when we talk about a true coin flip,
09:55it really looks like it is.
09:56Is there a team right now heading into the final four,
09:59if you will, that you would say gets the nod or the advantage?
10:03You know, I really do think between Florida and Edmonton,
10:06we're going to see a rematch of last year,
10:08but I do think we're going to have different results this year.
10:11Edmonton has had that chip on their shoulder all year in the season
10:16with Florida being able to get the win in Game 7 last year.
10:20And I do think Edmonton right now is where you want to put your money.
10:23It's a really good look, Joe.
10:26And it would be that Stanley Cup final rematch.
10:29And could the Oilers be the team to bring Lord Stanley's Cup
10:32back to the Great White North for the first time in more than three decades?
10:36Joe, we won't go there just yet.
10:38We'll save you the nightmares at this moment.
10:40But as we look at the Conn Smythe Award odds,
10:43that would be the postseason MVP.
10:45You mentioned Mikko Rantanen,
10:47who was on an absolute tear in the opening two rounds.
10:49Two consecutive games with a hat trick for the Dallas Stars.
10:54And as we know in the Conn Smythe,
10:55it's the entirety of the postseason.
10:58But of course, you got to get to the Cup final.
11:00And more than likely, your team has to win the Stanley Cup final,
11:03except Connor McDavid kind of proved that wrong a season ago.
11:07He is the favorite now.
11:09Joe, if he were to win the Conn Smythe,
11:11would it finally be his time to lead Edmonton
11:14to a Stanley Cup final victory?
11:16Yeah, absolutely.
11:17Looking at Connor McDavid coming in here right around that plus 380 mark,
11:20I do think, is the way you want to go.
11:22Firstly, I think Edmonton will get all the way to the Cup
11:25and be able to hoist it.
11:26And we know last season that he did get the Conn Smythe,
11:30even though he didn't come out on the ice to accept that trophy.
11:33And I look at Mikko Rantanen,
11:35and I look at what he's been able to do.
11:36And while he holds value sitting there at plus 460,
11:39I just don't see the Dallas Stars being able to get to the Stanley Cup,
11:43even though he's been absolutely fantastic.
11:45You look at his back-to-back hat tricks coming in just three periods
11:49for those back-to-back hat tricks over two games.
11:51I just think Connor McDavid in this next round
11:54is going to be playing at a different level.
11:56You look at his points over on Sandel,
11:58you've got to take that all the way up to 10-plus points
12:00before you're getting any value in this series.
12:03I do think looking at him for four-plus goals
12:06definitely makes sense in the series as well at plus 120.
12:09But I do think he has every ability to win the Conn Smythe.
12:14A Wednesday night in Dallas.
12:15Again, the Stars a home ice favorite for game number one.
12:19But Edmonton and Connor McDavid,
12:21an ever-so-slight favorite to win the West once again.
12:24Game one of the Eastern Conference Finals tonight in Carolina
12:27between the Hurricanes and the Panthers.
12:29Joe Maddon, as always, we appreciate the time.
12:32A wonderful breakdown here on this Tuesday on TEL.
12:36Our third and final hour starts now.
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