BROKEN OPEN (4.28.26): Stanley Cup first round series reviews, and why things might be breaking well for an Eastern contender — and how to bet it

In this week’s episode of THE WINDOW: Sports betting podcast, Matt Russell (@mrussauthentic) goes series-by-series in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, autopsying the Hurricanes and Avalanche sweeps of the Senators and Kings, respectively. Then Matt discusses the nature of playoff hockey hinging on overtime and the “soft” goal, as Flyers-Penguins is still going with the help of one weird goal in each of Game 4 and 5, while the Golden Knights keep scoring on themselves, in a series tied at 2, despite lopsided even-strength metrics. Has Tampa Bay found another notch to turn it up to after the first three games with Montreal? The Bruins aren’t getting what they need from Jeremy Swayman, and he’s definitely not getting what he needs from them. What’s going on with the moneylines in Stars-Wild as oddsmakers seem to be changing the “rules” when it comes to home-ice advantage?The Oilers are in danger against the Ducks, but even if they’re able to dig out of that hole, Matt breaks down why it’s not Edmonton’s year for the Stanley Cup.Maybe you missed it?Senators-Hurricanes series previewWild-Stars series previewFlyers-Penguins series previewCanadiens-Lightning series previewKings-Avalanche series previewBruins-Sabres series previewMammoth-Golden Knights series previewDucks-Oilers series previewNHL Betting: The 4% ClubNHL Betting: The goaltenders that matterNHL Betting: Creating a rating for team’s skatersTHE WINDOW’s NHL market trackerIn the Conn Smythe betting report, there’s one major add to make, a mid-long shot, and a mega-long shot, as the landscaped in the Eastern Conference is finally starting to setup nicely for a long-time contender that hadn’t yet broken through, because of how things went in the short sample-size of the first round.It’s time to head to THE WINDOW, let’s go!