Merry Pranksters (+200)
UPS (-320)
Over 7.5 (-130)
Under 7.5 (-110)
Notes: UPS was a trendy preseason pick but quickly fell on tough times, particularly defensively when they gave up 21 goals in their first three games, a truly monumental feat that deserves placement in some kind of louvre commemorating historic achievements in awful defense. And yet, they’ve somewhat put it together since then and are being overwhelmingly favored over a team they’re only one spot ahead of in the standings.
It seems that no one really cares about how shitty they were on D and are back to loving their high end talent up front. I can’t really blame them honestly. The Pranksters are no slouches themselves and the combo of Gelman, Simon, Joel, KG and a stout defense will give them a fighting chance. But after what I presume will be a flurry of goals each way, I’m anticipating UPS delivering once again. Brown to win.
White Walkers (+2.5 Goals) (+115)
The GoldMembers (-2.5 Goals) (-160)
Over 7.5 (-120)
Under 7.5 (-120)
Notes: In all my years of running the playoff pool then shamelessly mining it for content, this may be the most lopsided public opinion result I’ve ever seen for any game, let alone a 7/10 matchup that in theory should be fairly competitive.
Voters were clearly more than a little freaked out by white becoming what I believe is the first team in the modern era to not win a single game all season while also remembering that gold, for most of the season, was a top 3 team and only started falling late in the season when Joe had to miss a bunch of games as did Corey. Corey remains out but gold will have a sub for him for the playoffs somewhere and clearly people still believe in them as a team. I think white has a punchers chance to make this a close one, especially with Kittridge in the lineup, but in the end it probably won’t be quite enough. Gold to advance and probably to cover.
Pranksters / UPS (+125)
Ninja Turtles (-175)
Over 7.5 (-120)
Under 7.5 (-120)
Notes: The line has been moving all day ever since word has filtered in that green will be missing their top two scorers in Luke and Leeb. The over has shifted from -145 to -120 while the line has moved a ton as well. I don’t think the public knew about these though because they’re still fully aboard the turtle train.
The Turtles still have a great chance to win, even without Luke and Leeb, and I have them slightly favored, especially if they play the Pranksters who they badly want revenge on after that crazy game in the rain. But it’s an absolute too close to call for tonight. If they can get through this they’ll get Luke back for next week but Zisser, Cherie, Ariel and Caleb are going to have to do yeoman’s work tonight, not to mention Rockoff, Dickson et al. Damn, this team has some solid depth. I’m sticking with the over.
Walkers / GoldMembers (+110)
The Seahorses (-155)
Over 7.5 (-120)
Under 7.5 (120)
Notes: No idea how to make this line as I’m not sure who yellow’s playoff sub will be for Russo nor do I know who their goalie will be. But I also know that even though Kittridge will be in for gold/white, each team has an insane amount of absences so I have to favor a red hot yellow team. The public seems to agree.
It’s been an impressive in-season turnaround for yellow and although I think gold is an all-around stronger team, I have to give the Seahorses a slight edge considering all the gold absences. But I also don’t even know who is playing for yellow so I can only favor them by so much.
UPDATE: Hopper and Cam in for yellow. Skyfighters party.
Pranksters / UPS / Turtles (+140)
My Cup Size Is Stanley (-210)
Over 7.0 (-155)
Under 7.0 (+110)
Notes: Hicks has bet on his team not just making it to this game but beating down black when they get here. Whether black plays UPS or a shorthanded Turtles, they will be slightly favored. If they play the Pranksters, they will be heavily favored. It all averages out to approximately -210 which I think is a fair price.
That said, although the price is fair, I might lean towards the +140 price against a team that’s lost four in a row and seems to be getting their lack of top end speed exposed as of late. It’s tough to pick against a team with this type of top end talent and goaltending but they are somewhat vulnerable right now. I actually think whether they play brown or green, this is the likely game of the night. Get your popcorn ready.
Walkers / GoldMembers / Seahorses (+200)
SexyBack (-320)
Over 6.5 (-120)
Under 6.5 (-120)
Notes: The identity of the road team in this matchup is tough to ascertain; although it will be extremely tough for white to overcome the troubles of this season, it’s technically possible. Yellow and gold are close to a dead heat; I think gold is overall better, but yellow’s five game win streak leading into tonight has to put them on even footing. And the public seems to agree with yellow and gold getting a very similar 5 and 6 votes.
Sadly for them, however, this means that blue picked up the other 33 votes. Even without Brooke or Phelps or possibly myself, I have to favor the sex team to make it back to the final four. Sex for the win, as is our general motto in this league.
BONUS BETS
Team To Advance To Final Four
SexyBack (-320)
My Cup Size Is Stanley (-210)
Ninja Turtles (+250)
The Seahorses (+420)
UPS (+475)
The GoldMembers (+475)
Merry Pranksters (+880)
White Walkers (+1200)
Team To Win Championship
Red Floyd (+155)
Layin’ Pipe (+180)
SexyBack (+180)
My Cup Size Is Stanley (+300)
Ninja Turtles (+750)
The Seahorses (+1000)
UPS (+1000)
The GoldMembers (+1000)
Merry Pranksters (+2300)
White Walkers (+4000)