Take the foolhardy move of taking the over in a low-scoring series between the Flames and Stars out of the equation and Wednesday night’s picks of our NHL odds was pretty good (3-1 overall).
Now, welcome to Game 6 territory of the Stanley Cup Playoffs where desperation has officially entered the conversation everywhere.
Remarkably enough, each of the four series scheduled on this cycle has reached this point, meaning we could see four teams punch their tickets to the next round tonight — or four Game 7’s forced (that would be absolutely bonkers).
Anything can happen these next few nights, which makes it all the more difficult for bettors to get a feel for the landscape.
Remember, you don’t HAVE to bet on each game. We are giving you our best bets for every game, but if our analysis isn’t landing with you or you just don’t feel like a bet stands out, it’s fine to give that game a pass. There will always be more games to bet on.
NHL odds and schedule, May 12
Carolina Hurricanes at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m. ET
- Game 6 (CAR leads 3-2)
- Watch on TNT
There have been two certainties in this series: The Hurricanes score first and the home team always wins.
That didn’t change in Game 5 as the Hurricanes romped to a 5-1 win and a 3-2 series lead — Seth Jarvis netting two goals and Antti Raanta stepping up in a big way in goal.
Carolina’s second-string goalie bounced back with gusto after giving up four goals on 27 shots in Game 4, which was in Boston.
We’ll see if he can play as he does in Carolina on the road, but the Bruins’ backs are against the wall — and they’re going to come thrashing out of the gates.
NHL Odds and The Pick:
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Toronto Maple Leafs at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:30 p.m.
- Game 6 (TOR leads 3-2)
- Watch on TBS
The two-time defending champions are officially on the brink of being eliminated, which is just the second time in their last nine playoff series that they are in this situation (last time: Game 7 Stanley Cup semifinal vs. Islanders).
And what mettle the Maple Leafs have shown just to get to this point.
Down 2-0 in Game 5, the Leafs scored three unanswered before Ryan McDonagh tied it up for the Lightning with 11:43 to go in regulation.
Up stepped Auston Matthews, who buried Mitch Marner’s rebound creation with a shot-pass to put the Leafs on the precipice of a first playoff series victory in 16 years.
NHL Odds and The Pick:
Minnesota Wild at St. Louis Blues, 9:30 p.m.
- Game 6 (STL leads 3-2)
- Watch on TNT
So much for the Wild taking control at home. The Blues pulled off a second consecutive 5-2 victory over Minnesota in Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead and are within one win of upsetting their Central Division rivals.
Jordan Binnington is out-dueling Marc Andre-Fleury, stopping 58 of 62 shots faced after coming in for Ville Husso in Game 4.
Perfect timing for a goalie to get hot, especially one that came out of nowhere to win a Stanley Cup three years ago.
NHL Odds and The Pick:
Edmonton Oilers at Los Angeles Kings, 10 p.m.
- Game 6 (LAK leads 3-2)
- Watch on TBS
Another year, another playoff struggle this has become for the Edmonton Oilers, who are continuing to waste away the brilliance of Connor McDavid.
One more loss means another offseason of uncertainty for a franchise that still has not found the right pieces to put around their superstar.
For a Kings team that was deemed too low-scoring to keep with the Oilers in the NHL odds, they’re proving everyone wrong.
They’ve scored nine goals in their last two games, the latest an Adrian Kempe overtime winner to stun the favorites in Edmonton.
NHL Odds and The Pick:
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