I say this with all the love in my heart: Good riddance to the Florida Panthers, who made a mockery of my NHL odds picks over the last week.
Still, even with the President’s Trophy winners getting swept out of the Eastern Conference semifinals by the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning, we still went 2-1 with our picks on Monday night thanks to the Colorado Avalanche hitting on both the Moneyline and the over/under.
Now we have just three series left in the second round and two of them are in action Tuesday night with an all-Metropolitan Division clash followed by the Battle of Alberta — which has lived up to all the hype.
It’s important to remember that 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.
New to betting? Read our Beginner’s Guide to Betting with a glossary of terms.
Carolina Hurricanes at New York Rangers, 7 p.m. ET
- Game 4 (CAR leads 2-1)
- Watch on ESPN
- Full series preview
The Rangers are back in this thing after some home cooking seemingly righted their defensive play — and gave just enough of a boost to the offense.
And when I mean just enough, I mean just enough.
The Blueshirts scored just twice on Antti Raanta before a game-clinching empty-netter while Igor Shesterkin remained superb, making 43 saves in Game 3.
They’ll still be needing plenty more from their offense, which has scored just four times now in three games.
For the Hurricanes, the only way they’ll be able to put crooked numbers on Shesterkin is if they continue throwing bodies at the nets as much as they do pucks.
That’s the only way they’ll be able to rattle a goalie that has been as good as the Rangers’ netminder.
If Carolina can score early at MSG Tuesday night, New York’s stagnate offense will be holding its sticks just that much tighter.
Carolina knows how to play with a lead, unlike the Pittsburgh Penguins.
NHL Odds and The Pick:
BetMGM is offering new users a $1,000 risk-free bet for NHL playoff games. To claim this offer, click here.
Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers, 9:30 p.m.
- Game 4 (EDM tied 2-1)
- Watch on ESPN
- Full series preview
At this point, we’re all just witnesses to the overpowering might that is the Edmonton Oilers — and there’s nothing the Calgary Flames have been able to do about it.
Evander Kane scored a natural hat trick in the second period while Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl combined for seven assists in Edmonton’s 4-1 Game 3 win to take the series lead.
While there had been questions about the overall depth of the Oilers and if it was enough to make noise in the playoffs, McDavid, Draisaitl, and Kane have done more than enough to answer them.
McDavid has a staggering 23 points (6G, 17A) in just 10 games played this postseason as he very well could be on his way to becoming just the third player ever to post 40 or more in a single playoff.
Draisaitl has added 19 points (7G, 12 A) while Kane leads all skaters with 10 goals this postseason.
The Flames had one of the top defenses in the NHL this season while goalie Jacob Markstrom was playing at a Vezina Trophy level. But sometimes, there’s no stopping generational talents.
And that’s exactly what we have in McDavid and Draisaitl.
NHL Odds and The Pick:
