NHL betting odds lines picks best bets against the spread over-under

Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars odds, picks and best bets

NHL betting analysis around Wednesday’s Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars Game 6 matchup, with NHL odds, picks and best bets.

The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars resume their Western Conference Semifinals best-of-seven series when they battle in Game 6 Wednesday at Rogers Place in Edmonton, starting at 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the Avalanche-Stars NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

Heading into Game 5, the Avalanche had their backs up against the wall as they turned to G Michael Hutchinson in goal facing elimination. Head coach Jared Bednar looked like a genius, as the Avs responded with five first-period goals and they never looked back, as Hutch secured his first-career playoff win.

Avalanche vs. Stars: Projected starting goalies

Michael Hutchinson vs. Anton Khudobin

Hutchinson is expected to make his second consecutive start with both Philipp Grubauer and Pavel Francouz on the mend and unfit to play. Hutchinson turned aside 31 of the 34 shots, which was good. But he also can’t rely upon the Avs staking him to a 5-0 lead after 20 minutes, either. If the Avs do go off offensively, watch out for Andre Burakovsky. He has five goals in his past three when his team faces elimination.

Dallas interim head coach Rick Bowness elected to go with Ben Bishop in net for Game 5, and it was a disaster. Bishop was rocked for four goals in the first 14 minutes, getting the quick hook in favor of Khudobin. While the Stars chipped away a little bit, the hole was much too deep to recover. The good news for Dallas is that they have two more cracks to burst Colorado’s bubble.

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Avalanche vs. Stars: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 6:55 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Dallas 5, Colorado 3

Moneyline (ML)

The STARS (+105) are short dogs. Take advantage. Remember, the Avalanche (-129) are down to their third-string goalie, and while he did look good, he was staked to a 5-0 lead. Hutchinson has just one playoff win to his name, and he won’t leave the bubble with two. This is such a great value, so jump on it.

New to sports betting? A winning $10 bet on the Stars returns a profit of $10.50.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

This one has the potential to be a higher scoring game, so playing the puck line might be a bit maddening at times. Stars (+1.5, -250) is just too expensive. If you like Dallas, bet them straight up. AVOID betting the PL.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 6.5 (+100) is a bit on the high side, but we have seen at least seven total goals in each of the previous five games in this series. Hutchinson won’t be nearly as effective in this one, and another installment of fire-wagon hockey will be played Wednesday. Enjoy the Over.

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Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche odds, picks and best bets

NHL betting analysis around Monday’s Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche Game 5 matchup, with NHL odds, picks and best bets.

The Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche continue their Western Conference Round 2 series when they meet in Game 5 Monday night at 9:45 p.m. ET at Rogers Place in Edmonton. Dallas leads the series 3-1 and looks to advance to the Western Conference Final. We analyze the Stars-Avalanche NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

The Avs are the home team in Monday’s contest; it’s a neutral-site affair in the Western bubble, but Colorado will have the advantage of final line changes.

Stars vs. Avalanche: Projected starting goalies

Anton Khudobin vs. Pavel Francouz

In the regular season, Khudobin posted a 2.22 goals against average and .930 save percentage. He’s fronted by a solid Dallas defense that does credible work in slowing down foes in the neutral zone and mitigating the number of dangerous scoring chances in and around the slot. Khudobin hasn’t been stellar over these first four games against Colorado, but he has been the best netminder in the series.

Francouz is in for G Philipp Grubauer who is out for the rest of the playoffs due to a groin injury. Francouz has struggled, logging a .862 SV% for the series. He was pulled Sunday after allowing the Stars’ fifth goal. He still figures to be between the pipes when Game 5 gets underway, but he’s under fire and looking to prove he can handle the rigors of being a starter.

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Stars vs. Avalanche: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Dallas 4, Colorado 3

Moneyline (ML)

Colorado (-137) continues to tilt the ice in its favor in even-strength puck-possession and quality shot analytics, but goaltending is the great equalizer. On back ends of back-to-backs during the regular season, the Stars (7-3-2, goal differential of 0.67) were the better team. The price on the Stars for this one — DALLAS +120 — is workable.

New to sports betting? A winning $100 bet on the Stars would return a profit of $120.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The juice-filled puck line — DALLAS +1.5 (-228) — is not appealing. The lean is on the Stars, but figure on the Avs (-1.5, +190) having some wounded-animal tenacity in making this a near-even game.

Over/Under (O/U)

Colorado injuries and a tighter Game 3 than what the final score tells make for some regression the other way. Figure the odds of a 3-3 regulation score or an empty-netter tilting this one toward on Over lean. TAKE THE UPSIDE ON OVER 6 (-121).

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Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars odds, picks and best bets

NHL betting analysis around Sunday’s Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars Game 4 matchup, with NHL odds, picks and best bets.

The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars continue their Western Conference Round 2 series when they meet in Game 4 Sunday evening at 6 p.m. ET at Rogers Place in Edmonton. We analyze the Stars-Avalanche NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

The Avalanche battled back with a 6-4 victory in Game 3 after dropping the first two games of the series. The Stars are the home team in Sunday’s contest; it’s a neutral-site affair, but Dallas will have the advantage of final line changes.

Avalanche vs. Stars: Projected starting goalies

Pavel Francouz vs. Anton Khudobin

In the regular season, Khudobin posted a 2.22 GAA and .930 SV%. He plays behind a stout Dallas defense that does credible work in slowing down foes in the neutral zone and mitigating the number of dangerous scoring chances in and around the slot. Khudobin was not at his best in Wednesday’s loss with five goals allowed on 31 shots. Overall in the playoffs, he has been very good on high-danger chances, but he’s also yielded some goals from distance.

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Avalanche vs. Stars: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Colorado 3, Dallas 2

Moneyline (ML)

This series has some muddy analytics, against-the-grain results early, and significant injuries plaguing the once-heavy favorites. It culminates with not much of a lean on any play for this contest.

The line moved toward Dallas at approximately 10:20 a.m. ET and makes for a marginally acceptable price on COLORADO -129.

New to sports betting? A winning $100 bet on the Avalanche would return a profit of $77.72.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The multi-goal side isn’t terribly appealing here, but the price on COLORADO -1.5 (+200) is right. It might take an empty-netter, but the 2-for-1 is north of the risk/reward line, so it’s worthy of a play.

Over/Under (O/U)

The last six Avs’ games and the last four Stars’ games have hit the Over. Colorado injuries and a tighter Game 3 than what the final score tells make for some regression the other way. Six goals is a tough number to beat in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. NO PLAY ON THE OVER 6 (+100)/UNDER 6 (-121).

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Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars odds, picks and best bets

NHL betting analysis around Wednesday’s Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars Game 3 matchup, with NHL odds, picks and best bets.

The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars continue their Western Conference Round 2 series when they meet in Game 3 Wednesday night at 10:30 p.m. ET at Rogers Place in Edmonton. We analyze the Stars-Avalanche NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

The Stars took Game 1 with a 5-3 victory and Game 2 with a 5-2 win. They are the home team in Wednesday’s contest; it’s a neutral-site affair, but Dallas will have last change on faceoffs.

Avalanche vs. Stars: Projected starting goalies

Pavel Francouz vs. Anton Khudobin

Francouz is in for G Philipp Grubauer who is out for the rest of the playoffs due to a groin injury. Francouz is a 30-year-old playing his first full season in the league. During the regular season, he logged a 2.41 goals against average and .923 save percentage in 34 games (30 starts). His series against the Stars thus far has not gone well. He was spotted a two-goal lead before yielding four straight goals in the second period of Monday’s contest. He has been tagged for six goals on 46 shots over 90 minutes.

In the regular season, Khudobin posted a 2.22 GAA and .930 SV%. He plays behind a stout Dallas defense that does credible work in slowing down foes in the neutral zone and mitigating the number of dangerous scoring chances in and around the slot. Khudobin was impressive in shutting down a desperate Avs squad once Dallas had wrestled away the lead in Game 2.

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Avalanche vs. Stars: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 8 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Colorado 3, Dallas 2

Moneyline (ML)

The AVALANCHE (-143) have been snowed under by injuries in this series. Grubauer is out between the pipes. D Erik Johnson (knee) is out, and that’s a productive 21-minute-per-game slot on the blue line. LW Matt Calvert (undisclosed) — a 25-point and plus-13 guy — is questionable. The replacements of those first two injuries have been disappointments so far, and the betting lines now shift to reflect that.

Even so, the postseason and game-by-game analytics are still bullish on the Avs. BACK COLORADO (-143) and return a tidy value on the Avs getting back in this series.

New to sports betting? A winning $10 bet on the Avalanche would return a profit of $6.99.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

If a week ago you’d have bet a prop on one of these teams scoring five goals in each of the first two games, you would have gotten a tremendous price on Dallas.

There isn’t a tremendous lean toward a high score here, but the price — COLORADO -1.5 (+190) — is too attractive to not consider.

Over/Under (O/U)

This is Stanley Cup Playoffs hockey, and the total in a game like this gets very muddy. NO PLAY ON THE OVER 5.5 (-110)/UNDER 5.5 (-110).

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Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche odds, picks and best bets

NHL betting analysis around Monday’s Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche Game 2 matchup, with NHL odds, picks and best bets.

The Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche meet in Game 2 of the best-of-seven Western Conference Semifinals Monday at 9:45 p.m. ET at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB, Canada. We analyze the Stars-Avalanche NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.

The Stars took Game 1 with a 5-3 victory Saturday. The Avs are the home team in Monday’s contest; it’s a neutral-site affair, but Colorado will have last change on faceoffs.

Stars vs. Avalanche: Projected starting goalies

Anton Khudobin vs. Pavel Francouz

In round one, Khudobin stepped in for regular starting G Ben Bishop who was deemed unfit to play. The 34-year-old Russian netminder helped the Stars to a 4-2 series win over the Calgary Flames. He logged a 2.52 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage in the series. In the regular season, Khudobin posted a 2.22 GAA and .930 SV. He plays behind a stout Dallas defense that does credible work in slowing down foes in the neutral zone and mitigating the number of dangerous scoring chances in and around the slot.

Francouz steps in for G Philipp Grubauer (ruled out of Game 2 with an apparent leg injury). Francouz is a 29-year-old playing his first full season in the league. During the regular season, he logged a 2.42 GAA and .923 SV in 34 games (30 starts). He has clocked a .941 SV over 152 postseason minutes; that includes a 27-of-27 performance in a round-robin shutout of the Stars Aug. 5, and an 8-of-10 game Saturday night.

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Stars vs. Avalanche: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Monday at 8:20 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Colorado 3, Dallas 2

Moneyline (ML)

With the goaltending situation, Avalanche bettors are getting a more tenable price in Game 2. The Avs offense (fourth in goals during the regular season and a robust 3.88 goals per game in postseason prior to Saturday) gets a lot of attention, but it’s the defense that had an off night in Game 1. Figure on some regression to the mean and better night for the Avs power play, which was scoreless in just one opportunity on Saturday. The regular season is fading in the rearview mirror, but the Stars had all kinds of trouble in one-day-rest situations (14-17, goal differential of -.67) while the Avalanche thrived (27-10, +.96). BACK COLORADO -162.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Avalanche to win would return a profit of $6.17.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

A try at middling this one is tempting. A game Stars team and a shade on the Under (see below) make for a play on the underdog plus one-and-a-half goals becoming a win-win in a one-goal Avs win. Consider taking DALLAS +1.5 (-193).

Over/Under (O/U)

Figure on things being a bit tighter in Game 2. But the lean isn’t enough to generate a play on the OVER 5.5 (-106)/UNDER 5.5 (-115) pricing.

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New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers odds, picks and best bets

NHL betting analysis around Monday’s New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers Game 1 matchup, with NHL odds, picks and best bets.

The Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders play Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Second-Round series Monday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET as the first of two Stanley Cup Playoffs games on the day. Below, we look at the Islanders-Flyers betting odds and lines and make our NHL picks and best bets.

Islanders vs. Flyers: Projected starting goalies

Semyon Varlamov vs. Carter Hart

Varlamov is 7-2 with a .934 save percentage and 1.67 goals against average this postseason, including the qualification round. He’s coming off a 21-save shutout of the Washington Capitals in Game 5 of the Isles’ opening-round series win. He has not had to face 30 or more shots in any of his nine games.

The 22-year-old Hart is 6-2 with a .943 SV% and 1.71 GAA. He recorded shutouts in back-to-back games against the Montreal Canadiens last round. He faced the rival Islanders just once this season and allowed five goals on 14 shots in a loss.

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Islanders vs. Flyers: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Monday at 7:55 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Flyers 3, Islanders 1

Moneyline (ML)

Take the higher-seeded FLYERS (-115) at what’s likely to be their best moneyline price of the series. The Islanders (-106) won all three meetings with the Flyers in the regular season, but Philadelphia was on the second half of a back-to-back in all three of those games.

Philly scored 40 more goals and allowed just three more goals than New York in one more regular-season game played. The Flyers also finished the regular season ranked ninth in the NHL with a 51.02% Corsi For rating (percentage of total shot attempts including blocked and missed shots) at 5-on-5. The Islanders were 29th by the same measure at 46.45%.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Double down on the FLYERS -1.5 (+240) for an increased profit with a win by two or more goals. These Game 1 lines seem heavily skewed by the results of the regular-season series. Hart appeared in just one of those games and the Flyers enter a head-to-head meeting with nearly 72 hours of rest for the first time this season.

The Flyers won all three of their Eastern Conference round-robin games by two or more goals before failing to do so once in their series against Montreal. Look for their offense to bounce back while not having to go up against former Hart Trophy-winning G Carey Price.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Flyers to win by two or more goals would return a profit of $24.

Over/Under (O/U)

I lean to the UNDER 5 (-110) in a battle of two excellent goaltenders who’ve had multiple days of rest. All three of the regular-season meetings played to the Over on Monday’s projected goal total, but the Isles played to the Under or a push in each of their last three games. The Flyers hit the Under or push in five of their six games against the Canadiens.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 46-37-1

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Arizona Coyotes vs. Colorado Avalanche odds, picks and best bets

NHL betting analysis around Wednesday’s Arizona Coyotes vs. Colorado Avalanche Game 5 matchup, with NHL odds, spreads and betting lines to exploit.

The Arizona Coyotes and Colorado Avalanche continue their Western Conference First-Round series at Rogers Place in Edmonton. The Avs lead the series 3-1 and the puck drop for Game 5 is slated for Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Coyotes-Avalanche NHL betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Coyotes vs. Avalanche : Projected starting goalies

Darcy Kuemper vs. Philipp Grubauer

Kuemper recorded a goals against average of 2.22 on the strength of a .928 save percentage through 29 regular-season starts. Kuemper faced Colorado once during the regular season and stopped all 33 shots in an Arizona shootout victory Nov. 2. He’s been solid in the postseason save for Game 4 when he was lifted after 40 minutes and four Colorado goals, but he still has a .924 SV% through eight games, including the qualification round.

Grubauer registered a 2.63 GAA and .916 SV% during the regular season. The 28-year-old netminder has a .951 SV% in this series. He has had to face only 61 shots over his three victories in the series.

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Coyotes vs. Avalanche: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 8:20 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Colorado 4, Arizona 2

Moneyline (ML)

Colorado’s forward depth came through in Game 4, propelling the Avs (-228) to a 7-1 victory and pushing the Coyotes (+190) to the brink of elimination. Led by three goals apiece for C Nazem Kadri and RW Mikko Rantanen, nine different Colorado forwards have scored in this series.

Three times this series (Games 1, 2 , and 4) the Avs have doubled up the ‘Yotes in shots on goal. That comes on the heels of out-firing the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights by significant margins in two games during the round robin.

The Avalanche are a top-flight team getting it done at both ends of the ice. Early in the regular season when Colorado bolted to five-plus goals, they would invariably fall flat the next time out, but the Avs tightened up their defense and goaltending. They are 7-3 in the next-time-out after their last 10 five-goal games. PEG COLORADO (-238) as a fair price in Game 5.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

In the above-mentioned next-time-outs, all seven wins were by multi-goal margins. BACK COLORADO -1.5 (+125) as perhaps the best play on the board in this one.

Over/Under (O/U)

The number here doesn’t have a lean in principle. THE PRICE ON THE OVER 5.5 (+105) IS SOLID.

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Vegas Golden Knights vs. Chicago Blackhawks odds, picks and best bets

NHL betting analysis around the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Chicago Blackhawks Saturday matchup, with NHL odds, spreads and betting lines to exploit.

The Vegas Golden Knights look to take a 3-0 series lead over the Chicago Blackhawks Saturday. The puck will be dropped at Rogers Place in Edmonton shortly after 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Golden Knights-Blackhawks betting odds and lines and make our NHL picks and best bets.

Golden Knights vs. Blackhawks: Projected starting goalies

Robin Lehner vs. Corey Crawford

Lehner had a lackluster outing in the 4-3 overtime win in Game 2. He allowed three goals on just 25 shots. He has allowed three goals in three of his four starts since the beginning of the qualification round.

Crawford continued his unimpressive play in net with another four goals allowed on 39 shots in Game 2. He has allowed at least four goals in four of six games this postseason and has a .890 save percentage.

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Golden Knights vs. Blackhawks: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:35 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Golden Knights 5, Blackhawks 2

Moneyline (ML)

The GOLDEN KNIGHTS (-200) won the opener 4-1 but were taken to overtime Thursday before winning 4-3. RW Reilly Smith‘s winner came 7:13 into the first extra frame. The Knights have outshot the Blackhawks (+165) 73-45 through two games.

Even though Game 2 was much closer, the Golden Knights have been the much better team thus far while living up to their billing of the Western Conference’s top seed following the round-robin tournament. They also have a big advantage in net with former Blackhawks backup Lehner likely to start again.

Take the GOLDEN KNIGHTS (-200) to win in regulation or overtime.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Vegas to win returns a profit of $5.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Vegas rushed out to a 2-0 first-period lead in Game 2 but coughed it up by the mid-point of the second period. Mark Stone and Dylan Strome exchanged goals in the final three minutes of the second before a scoreless third period in which the Knights outshot the ‘Hawks 16-6.

Take the GOLDEN KNIGHTS -1.5 (+135) to win by 2 or more goals as a relatively safe and much more profitable play.

Over/Under (O/U)

Go to the alternate lines to get the half-goal hook and take the OVER 6.5 (+105). Neither goalie has been sharp in this series and both offenses are averaging well above three goals per game since the beginning of the qualification round.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 36-28

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Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks and best bets

NHL betting analysis around the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday matchup, with NHL odds, spreads and betting lines to exploit.

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets play Game 3 of their First-Round series Saturday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Lightning-Blue Jackets betting odds and lines and make our NHL picks and best bets.

Lightning vs. Blue Jackets: Projected starting goalies

Andrei Vasilevskiy vs. Joonas Korpisalo

Vasilevskiy has been good, but not great, through the first two games of this series. The Vezina Trophy candidate has stopped 80 of the 85 shots he has faced. He now has a .931 save percentage and 1.84 goals against average through five postseason games, including the qualification round.

The 26-year-old Korpisalo has been the star of the first round of these Stanley Cup Playoffs. He has stopped all but four of the 125 shots on goal he has faced through 10-plus periods of hockey.

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Lightning vs. Blue Jackets: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:11 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Lightning 3, Blue Jackets 1

Moneyline (ML)

The teams have split the first two games of the series. The LIGHTNING (-176) won Game 1, 3-2, in quintuple overtime and the Blue Jackets (+150) won Game 2, 3-1.

Tampa Bay has been dominating the shot counts and the analytics battle by registering 62.5% of the total shot attempts through two games. They’ll get Korpisalo to crack sooner than later, even with captain C Steven Stamkos still sidelined by a lower-body injury.

New to sports betting? A $17.60 bet on the Lightning to win would return a profit of $10.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The LIGHTNING -1.5 (+165) can also be taken on the puck line to win by 2 or more goals. It may require a late empty-netter but it’s the much more profitable bet and Korpisalo is the main reason this series is tied. Once the Lightning solve him, the goals could come in a flurry.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 5 (+115) remains the best bet in every game of this series. The first two games have seen a total of just nine goals scored and the Lightning haven’t been involved in a game with more than five goals scored since the start of the Eastern Conference round-robin tournament.

There’s a threat of a push here, but the return is far more profitable than the Under 5.5 (-154).

Esten’s NHL betting record: 36-28

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Montreal Canadiens vs. Philadelphia Flyers odds, picks and best bets

NHL betting analysis around the Montreal Canadiens vs. Philadelphia Flyers Friday matchup, with NHL odds, spreads and betting lines to exploit.

The Philadelphia Flyers shoot for a 2-0 First-Round series lead over the Montreal Canadiens Friday at 3 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Below, we look at the Canadiens-Flyers betting odds and lines and make our NHL picks and best bets.

Canadiens head coach Claude Julien was taken to the hospital Thursday afternoon with non-COVID-19-related chest pains. Though he’s reportedly in good condition, assistant coach Kirk Muller will take over behind the bench for the remainder of the First Round series.

Canadiens vs. Flyers: Projected starting goalies

Carey Price vs. Carter Hart

Price stopped 29 of 31 shots in the Game 1 loss and now has a .945 save percentage and 1.74 goals against average through five playoff games, including the qualification round upset of the Pittsburgh Penguins. One of the two goals he allowed Wednesday came on the power play.

Hart stopped 27 of 28 shots in the series-opening victory. He celebrated his 22nd birthday Thursday and enters Friday’s contest with a .966 SV% and 1.00 GAA through three games since the NHL’s restart.

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Canadiens vs. Flyers: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Flyers 2, Canadiens 1

Moneyline (ML)

The FLYERS (-162) remain relatively big favorites as the top-seeded team in the Eastern Conference following the round-robin tournament. Philly was the better-disciplined team in Game 1 with three minor penalties taken to Montreal’s five. Staying out of the penalty box will remain a key to the series with how well both goalies are playing.

The Canadiens (+135) aren’t offering quite a high enough of a reward for the upset. Price gives them a chance to win every game, but he seems to have found his match in the younger Hart. Stick with the FLYERS (-162).

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Flyers to win would return a profit of $6.20. The same bet on the Canadiens would fetch a return of $13.50.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The chalky, but right play, is to take the CANADIENS +1.5 (-209). There’s always the chance the Flyers (-1.5, +170) will create some separation with a late empty-net goal, but based off what we saw in Game 1, Price won’t be allowing them to build multi-goal leads.

There’s a high probability we see overtime in Toronto Friday. Looking at alternate lines for this game, small wagers can be placed on YES (+290) for whether the game will go into OT, as well as FLYERS TO WIN BY 1 (+525).

Over/Under (O/U)

I like the Under 5.5 (-143) so much I’m going back to those alternate lines and taking UNDER 4.5 (+190). These two goalies are two of the safest bets in the entire Stanley Cup Playoffs right now.

Esten’s NHL betting record: 34-26

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