AHL Calder Cup Division Semifinals Betting Picks April 29-May 1, 2025
The first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs has concluded and the matchups are set for these AHL Calder Cup Division Semifinals Betting Picks.
Sixteen teams remain in the postseason and each embarks on their best of five matchup to reach the Division Finals. Last season’s champions, the Hershey Bears, earned a first round bye and will begin their quest for a repeat Wednesday Night.
AHL Calder Cup Division Semifinals Betting Picks April 29-May 1, 2025
Texas Stars over Grand Rapids Griffins (-125 via Hard Rock)
Tuesday, April 29th, 4:00 p.m. Pacific
The Texas Stars finished the regular season three points behind the Milwaukee Admirals for first place in the Central Division. They also ended the year nine points up on third-place Grand Rapids. The Stars posted the best road record in their division (24-12) while earning the most points away from their home arena.
Texas has been an offensive force this season, accumulating the second most goals during the regular season. They are the only team in the league with three players inside of the top 20 in points scored.
The quest for the #CalderCup begins now 💫 pic.twitter.com/9abgBjIbU0
— x – Texas Stars (@TexasStars) April 21, 2025
Grand Rapids ended their regular season 17-15 at home. They are 4-5-0-1 at the Van Andel Arena in their last ten games.
The Stars have beaten the Griffins in five of their eight head-to-head matchups this season. This includes their last meeting at Grand Rapids two weeks ago.
Over 5.5 Goals (+105 via Hard Rock)
Texas averaged 3.3 goals over the course of the regular season. They have combined with their opponent to go over this total in 42 of their 72 games this year. Four of their last eight matchups with Grand Rapids have ended with at least six goals scored.
The Griffins averaged 2.8 goals per game during the regular season. In that time frame, they have gone over this mark with their opponents 35 times.
Laval Rocket -1.5 Over Cleveland Monsters (+200 via Hard Rock)
TBD
Laval is set to make their first appearance in the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs having earned a first round bye in the North Division. The Rocket ended the regular season with the most wins in the league (48) as well as the most points (101). They closed out the year on a two game winning streak and were 6-3-0-1 in their last ten contests. They will head to Cleveland with fresh legs and solid momentum.
LE TIR 🚀 HOF BOMB 🚨 https://t.co/hSFT5sbhN5 pic.twitter.com/5klW7rzykM
— xyz – Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) April 20, 2025
The Cleveland Monsters were four points away from missing the playoffs all together, barely edging out the Belleville Senator 81-79 to earn their spot in the postseason. However, they were able to dispatch the Toronto Marlies, sweeping them 2-0 in the first round. The Monsters may be somewhat fatigued heading into Wednesday’s matchup. Both of their games against Toronto went into overtime. The last of which took two overtime periods to decide.
These teams are an even 2-2 against the other in their four meetings this season. Both games in which Laval has won, they have covered this spread.
Coachella Valley Firebirds Over Abbotsford Canucks (-125 via ESPN BET)
Thursday, May 1st, 7:00 p.m. Pacific
The Firebirds closed out the regular season in fourth place in the Pacific Division ending the year with 84 points. They had a rocky road to the playoffs finishing 0-1-2-0 over their last three games and 4-3-3-0 in their last ten. They earned their place in the Divisional Semifinals by taking two in a row from the Calgary Wranglers in the first round. The last of which was a shutout win in which standout rookie goaltender Nikke Kokko stopped all 23 shots against him.
LET'S GO HAYDS!!! pic.twitter.com/9d9D2HDaR1
— Coachella Valley Firebirds (@Firebirds) April 27, 2025
Abbotsford was just three points shy of taking the top spot in the Pacific Division however, it still earned a first round bye. The Canucks ended their regular season tied for the second-most wins in the league and had the third-most goals scored. They will charge into the playoff having won their last three games to close out the year. However, they will start this round facing a Coachella team that has beaten them in three of their last four meetings.
