Tag: NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs odds lines picks predictions best bets

Nashville Predators at Carolina Hurricanes Game 1 odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Monday’s Nashville Predators at Carolina Hurricanes Game 1 odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

The Nashville Predators and Carolina Hurricanes play Game 1 of their Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series Monday. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at PNC Arena. Below, we analyze the Predators-Hurricanes odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.

The Predators picked up a pair of victories to close out the regular season against the Hurricanes, and they’ll try to use that as a springboard into this series despite some rather long odds.

The Hurricanes won the first six regular-season meetings against the Predators, including all four meetings at PNC Arena. Overall, Carolina posted a 20-3-5 record in Raleigh, N.C., in the regular season.

Predators at Hurricanes: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:19 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Predators +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Hurricanes -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Predators +1.5 (-165) | Hurricanes -1.5 (+140)
  • Over/Under: 5.5 (O: +120 | U: -145)

Predators at Hurricanes: Projected starting goalies

Juuse Saros (21-11-1, 2.28 GAA, .927 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Petr Mrazek (6-2-3, 2.06 GAA, .923 SV%, 3 SO)

Saros allowed just one goal on 22 shots in his final regular-season start and win against the Hurricanes May 8. He was 1-2-0 with a 2.73 GAA and .917 SV% in three starts and four appearances vs. Carolina this season.

Mrazek had mixed results in his two starts against the Predators this season. He allowed just one goal on 20 shots in a win in Raleigh April 15, and he was blasted for five goals on 27 shots in a 5-0 loss at Nashville May 10.

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Predators at Hurricanes: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Hurricanes 3, Predators 2

Money line (ML)

The HURRICANES (-190) are slightly above my personal money line limit of -180, but sometimes you have to break your own rules.

Carolina won six of the eight regular-season meetings, including each of the four at PNC Arena. The Hurricanes outscored the Predators 15-5 in the four games in Raleigh, including 12-3 across the past three battles.

The Hurricanes will also be spurred on by at least 10,000 spectators at PNC as North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper relaxed COVID-19 indoor congregation restrictions in the past few days, just in time for the playoffs.

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Against the spread (ATS)

The PREDATORS +1.5 (-165) is worth a roll of the dice, catching a goal and a half on the road. Yes, they have struggled in four trips to Raleigh during the regular season, but they have to be confident following their two-game sweep in Nashville to close out the regular season. They should be able to keep it close in a lower-scoring game.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 5.5 (-145) is an attractive play as Saros and Mrazek should put on a show. The Under was 5-1-2 in the eight regular-season head-to-head meetings, including 3-0-1 in the four games in Raleigh. Look for more of the same in the series opener.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals Game 2 odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Monday’s Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals Game 1 odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

The Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals play Game 2 of their Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series Monday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena. Below, we analyze the Bruins-Capitals odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.

The Bruins were tripped up 3-2 in overtime in the series opener as Capitals C Nic Dowd posted his first-career overtime playoff goal to give Washington a 1-0 series lead.

To make matters worse for Boston, D Jeremy Lauzon suffered a hand injury and is a question mark for Game 2, as are RW Ondrej Kase and D Jakub Zboril due to upper-body ailments.

The Capitals had injury issues of their own, however. G Vitek Vanecek suffered a lower-body issue in the first period and was replaced by the 39-year-old G Craig Anderson. The veteran was sharp in holding off the B’s.

Bruins at Capitals: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:55 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Bruins -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Capitals +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Bruins -1.5 (+195) | Capitals +1.5 (-250)
  • Over/Under: 5.5 (O: +120 | U: -145)

Bruins at Capitals: Projected starting goalies

Tuukka Rask (15-5-2, 2.28 GAA, .913 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Craig Anderson (2-1-0, 2.13 GAA, .915 SV%)

Rask made 29 saves and allowed three goals in the Game 1 loss. RW Tim Wilson, D Brenden Dillon and Dowd notched goals for the Caps, all of the even-strength variety.

Anderson did a decent job, allowing just one goal – a power-play score by LW Nick Ritchie – against 22 shots in relief. Boston went 1-for-4 on the power play in Game 1.

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Bruins at Capitals: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Bruins 4, Capitals 2

Money line (ML)

The BRUINS (-135) are a good bet to bounce back in Game 2, especially with Anderson in between the pipes for the Capitals. There is a reason he had become an afterthought behind Vanecek and Ilya Samsonov, as Anderson just isn’t very good in the twilight of his career.

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Against the spread (ATS)

The BRUINS -1.5 (+195) is an extremely good value, offering a chance to nearly double up.

Boston lost in overtime, as they weren’t ready for Anderson, and he came on in relief and did a great job. It’s not like the Bruins have never seen him before, as he was the backstop for years with the Ottawa Senators. However, they likely did all of their scouting on Vanecek. Anderson isn’t sneaking up on them in this one. Look for the B’s to grab the split.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 5.5 (+120) is plus-money in Game 2, and that’s a value play. Anderson won’t be nearly as effective, and the Caps showed they can get to Rask. Despite the Game 1 Under result, the Over is 3-1-1 across the past five head-to-head meetings in D.C.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers Game 1 odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Sunday’s Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers Game 1 odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers play Game 1 of their Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series Sunday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla. Below, we analyze the Lightning-Panthers odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.

The Lightning are the defending Stanley Cup champs, but they were just third in the Central Division and must open their title defense on the road. For the first time in NHL postseason history, they meet the cross-state rival Panthers.

Tampa Bay will have RW Nikita Kucherov (hip) and C Steven Stamkos (lower body) in the lineup for Game 1.

Florida won the past three head-to-head meetings, outscoring Tampa Bay by a 14-4 margin. The Panthers also won three of four vs. the Lightning in Sunrise this season, outscoring the Bolts 15-9. The lone loss was by a 6-1 score. Otherwise, Florida really dominated on home ice.

Lightning at Panthers: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:34 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Lightning -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Panthers +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Lightning -1.5 (+200) | Panthers +1.5 (-250)
  • Over/Under: 5.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Lightning at Panthers: Projected starting goalies

Andrei Vasilevskiy (31-10-1, 2.21 GAA, .925 SV%, 5 SO) vs. Sergei Bobrovsky (19-8-2, 2.91 GAA, .906 SV%)

Vasilevskiy won 31 games this season, but he dropped his final two starts of the regular season at the Panthers by a combined score of 9-1. He allowed nine goals on 65 shots in the two games.

The 26-year-old Russian backstop went 2-4-0 with a 3.36 GAA and .898 SV% in six appearances against Florida. The GAA was easily the highest against any opponent, and the SV% was also his worst against any team.

Bobrovsky finished up strong with three straight wins to end the regular season, including a 5-1 win over Tampa May 8. He was 3-2-0 with a 3.23 GAA and .879 SV% in five meetings against the Lightning this season.

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Lightning at Panthers: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Lightning 4, Panthers 3

Money line (ML)

The LIGHTNING (-120) are the defending champs. I trust Vasilevskiy and Tampa Bay after their run in the bubble last season more than I trust a Panthers side which hasn’t gone far in the playoffs in decades.

Until Florida earns that trust and proves it has championship mettle, you have to back the tried-and-true side.

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Against the spread (ATS)

The Panthers +1.5 (-250) have given the Lightning -1.5 (+200) fits, and even if they don’t win this one outright, it’s going to be close. Of course, the Panthers did win five of the eight regular-season meetings, and just one of the games was decided by one goal. Playing the underdog to keep it close isn’t a wise move based on recent history.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 5.5 (-110) seems like an unwise play in a game featuring two goaltenders the caliber of Vasilevskiy and Bobrovsky. However, Vasilevskiy allowed north of three goals against the Cats, while Bobrovsky did the same against the Lightning.

The Over was 5-2-1 in the eight regular-season meetings. Offense will reign supreme.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Minnesota Wild at Vegas Golden Knights Game 1 odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Sunday’s Minnesota Wild at Vegas Golden Knights Game 1 odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

The Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights play Game 1 of their Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series Sunday. Puck drop is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET at T-Mobile Arena. Below, we analyze the Wild-Golden Knights odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.

The public has been slamming the Golden Knights, but the Wild did win the regular-season series 5-3, including victories in five of the previous six. Six of the meetings were decided by one goal, including three in either overtime or a shootout, so Minnesota has been a thorn in Vegas’ side.

The Golden Knights split their four home games with the Wild, outscoring Minnesota just 13-10. Two of the meetings could not be decided in regulation, either.

Wild at Golden Knights: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:37 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Wild +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Golden Knights -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Wild +1.5 (-190) | Golden Knights -1.5 (+155)
  • Over/Under: 5.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)

Wild at Golden Knights: Projected starting goalies

Cam Talbot (19-8-5, 2.63 GAA, .915 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Marc-Andre Fleury (26-10-0, 1.98 GAA, .928 SV%, 6 SO)

Talbot went off the rails a bit down the stretch, allowing three or more goals in each of his final six games, winning just two times. He still won 19 games, his most since 2017-18 with the Edmonton Oilers.

Talbot held his own against VGK, going 3-1-2 with a 3.26 GAA and .898 SV% in six starts against Minnesota this season.

Fleury and G Robin Lehner are both likely to see action in this series for Vegas, but Fleury gets first crack after seeing Minnesota much more this season. He was 3-3-0 with a 2.41 GAA and .919 SV% in six starts, while Lehner was 0-1-1 with a 3.87 GAA and .884 SV% in two appearances vs. the Wild.

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Wild at Golden Knights: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Golden Knights 4, Wild 2

Money line (ML)

The GOLDEN KNIGHTS (-160) are moderate favorites, and rightly so. They’re on home ice and they finished up the regular season on a much higher note than the Wild.

Minnesota more than held their own against Vegas in the regular season, but the Knights are the play in Game 1 mainly due to the goaltender matchup. Fleury is money, while Talbot cannot be trusted nearly as much.

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Against the spread (ATS)

The GOLDEN KNIGHTS -1.5 (+155) are worth playing lightly on the puck line despite the fact most of the meetings in the regular season were rather close, and the Wild actually won five of the previous six. I still think the home crowd energy gets Vegas going, as T-Mobile Arena has quickly grown into a hostile environment during playoff time.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 5.5 (-120) is the slight lean in Game 1, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it requires an empty-net goal to get you over the finish line. Minnesota did hit the Over in nine of their final 11 regular-season tilts, while cashing the Over in 16 of the past 21 on the road. Talbot has been very giving lately, so that’s the play.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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New York Islanders at Pittsburgh Penguins Game 1 odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Sunday’s New York Islanders at Pittsburgh Penguins Game 1 odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

The New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins play Game 1 of their Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series Sunday. Puck drop is scheduled for noon ET at PPG Paints Arena. Below, we analyze the Islanders-Penguins odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.

The Islanders enter as the fourth-seed in the East Division, but there is no way the Penguins will be taking them lightly. The Islanders managed just two wins in the eight regular-season meetings vs. the Pens, however, five of the games were decided by just one goal.

The Penguins outscored the Islanders 15-7 in winning all four head-to-head meetings on home ice. The top-seeded Pens rattled off three straight wins to wrap up the regular season, albeit against two non-playoff teams. In their last four games against playoff teams, the Penguins went 3-1. So, they are riding high.

Islanders at Penguins: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:09 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Islanders +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Penguins -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Islanders +1.5 (-250) | Penguins -1.5 (+200)
  • Over/Under: 5 (O: -145 | U: +120)

Islanders at Penguins: Projected starting goalies

Semyon Varlamov (19-11-4, 2.04 GAA, .929 SV%, 7 SO) vs. Tristan Jarry (25-9-3, 2.75 GAA, .909 SV%, 2 SO)

Varlamov closed out the regular season on a losing note, dropping his final three outings. He only allowed a total of seven goals in the three losses but received just five goals of offensive support.

Varly posted a 1-3-2 record, 2.86 GAA and .897 SV% in seven appearances against the Pens this season – none of his league-high tying seven shutouts came against Pittsburgh.

Jarry started the season a bit slow, but he recovered rather nicely and was a big part why the Pens won the division.

“Jar Jar Wins” was particularly hard on the Islanders, going 5-1-0 with a 2.41 GAA and .917 SV% in six appearances against New York this season.

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Islanders at Penguins: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Penguins 2, Islanders 1

Money line (ML)

The PENGUINS (-130) are the lean here, although nothing will come easy in this series. It will be a hotly contested series between rivals regardless, but the fact they have eight regular-season games of animosity already built up will make it very entertaining … and close.

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Against the spread (ATS)

The Islanders +1.5 (-250) would be the play here if the price was a little better, but this is just too expensive for insurance.

It was already mentioned that five of the eight meetings were one-goal games. And yes, when Varlamov and Jarry are each in net, it’s usually a lower-scoring and close matchup, but New York +1.5 (-250) is just too risky at this price.

AVOID and just stick with the money line.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 5 (+120) is the lean in Game 1, and a good value. The Under cashed in three of the past four head-to-head meetings between Varlamov and Jarry. That includes a 2-1 score in the most recent matchup in Pittsburgh March 29.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals Game 1 odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals Game 1 odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

The Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals play Game 1 of their Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series Saturday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena. Below, we analyze the Bruins-Capitals odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.

The Bruins wrapped up the regular season with a 2-1 loss in Washington Tuesday, although they had zero to play for with their seeding already locked in. These teams split the regular-season series with four wins apiece, though two of Boston’s were decided beyond regulation.

The Capitals finished the regular season with a pair of 2-1 wins, and they won four of their past five outings while the Under cashed in each of their last three games.

Bruins at Capitals: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:15 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Bruins -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Capitals +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Bruins -1.5 (+200) | Capitals +1.5 (-250)
  • Over/Under: 5.5 (O: +105 | U: -125)

Bruins at Capitals: Projected starting goalies

Tuukka Rask (15-5-2, 2.28 GAA, .913 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Vitek Vanecek (21-10-4, 2.69 GAA, .908 SV%, 2 SO)

Rask finished the regular season with four victories across his final five starts. He went 1-0-2 with a 2.59 GAA and .905 SV% in three regular-season starts against the Capitals.

Vanecek is 3-1-0 with a 2.26 GAA and .910 SV% in May. The 25-year-old posted a 4-3-0 record with a 2.86 GAA and .905 SV% in seven regular-season starts against the Bruins this season.

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Bruins at Capitals: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Bruins 3, Capitals 2

Money line (ML)

The BRUINS (-130) are a sharp play in Game 1, even though it’s on the road. While the Capitals recently saw LW Alex Ovechkin return from a lower-body injury, they’re still without C Evgeny Kuznetsov and G Ilya Samsonov, and RW T.J. Oshie is also questionable due to a lower-body injury.

This will be the first time these teams have faced each other in the postseason since 2011-12 when Washington won Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal in overtime.

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Against the spread (ATS)

The Capitals +1.5 (-250) will cost you two and a half times your potential return if you want a little insurance on the home team. It’s just not worth it, nor is it a good idea to back the Bruins -1.5 (+200), as tempting as it might be to try and double up.

AVOID, and just stick with the money line.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 5.5 (-125) is the lean in Game 1, as these teams kick off what is likely to be a long series.

The Under cashed in four of the past five games on the road for the B’s, while the Under is 4-0 in the past four at home for the Caps.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Joe Williams on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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