Friday, April 18, 7:30 PM on NBCS, TSN, FSDT, NESN

TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts

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The Red Wings and Bruins finally get to face off against each other Friday night for their first playoff series in 57 years. Detroit is the new kid on the block after coming over to the Eastern Conference to start the season but they can make their mark immediately with an upset of the President's Trophy winning Bruins. Boston has made the Stanley Cup Finals 2 of the last 3 years and are built for another trip with home ice throughout the playoffs.

If there's one team that won't be intimidated as the second wildcard facing the top seed it's Detroit. The Red Wings took the season series 3-1 from Boston including winning the last three. Two of those wins came in Detroit but they serve as rallying cries nonetheless.

The Bruins enter the playoffs having dropped a few games, largely in part to having the top seed overall wrapped up and getting situated for the postseason. Boston lost 5 of their last 7, destroying bettors after being favored in 6 of them. They look to redeem themselves in front of the wagerers, their fans, and themselves in dispelling Detroit quickly and efficiently.

The most recent matchup between the teams was an April 2nd game in which Boston came into Detroit as -144 favorites. Boston looked to be on their way, scoring the only goal of the 1st period and taking a 2-1 lead early in the 3rd. But Red Wings goals by Tomas Jurco at 11:06 and Gustav Nyquist at 12:48 put the game away to cash out the +133 win. Oddsmakers are giving Boston the huge early edge with a -185 line but the Detroit +170 money offers significant value.

ATS Trends

Detroit is 20-20 straight up on the road this season

Detroit is 19-20-2 against the over/under on the road this season

Boston is 31-10 straight up at home this season

Boston is 9-15-17 against the over/under at home this season

Injuries to Watch

Detroit

04/15/14 GO Jonas Gustavsson Shoulder questionable
04/14/14 LW Henrik Zetterberg Back doubtful Round 1 vs Boston
04/14/14 D Jonathan Ericsson Finger expected to miss Round 1 vs Boston
03/06/14 C Stephen Weiss Hernia out indefinitely
03/04/14 RW Daniel Cleary Knee out indefinitely

Boston

12/28/13 D Dennis Seidenberg Knee out for season
12/07/13 LW Jay Pandolfo None has retired
04/17/14 LW Daniel Paille Head is downgraded to doubtful Friday vs. Detroit
04/17/14 C Patrice Bergeron Undisclosed is upgraded to probable Friday vs. Detroit
04/14/14 C Chris Kelly Back probable Friday vs. Detroit
02/28/14 D Adam McQuaid Quad out indefinitely

Tony's Pick: Take Boston

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