Top NHL Picks and Predictions Today (Expect Goals In Dallas, Upset In Pittsburgh)

We are still in the first round of the NHL playoffs, which means we are treated to four games a day. With several series on their pivotal Game 3s, let’s see who our team likes today. 

Flames vs. Stars Prediction and Pick

I am not convinced that this entire series will be filled with low-scoring games. These two teams combined to score 20 goals in three games during the regular season. Two of those games went to Calgary 4-3 while the Stars took the last game of the season 4-2 a few weeks back. 

This lack of goals is something I do not expect to continue as both the Flames and Stars have competent offenses. The Flames average more than 3.5 goals per game during the regular season for example. Now, Calgary also allows the third least goals in the league. Their offense needs to step up in a big way in Game 3. 

I think the biggest surprise in this series so far has been Jake Oettinger of the Stars. He has locked down the net for the better part of two games and only surrendered two goals against 55 shots. He has a save rate of .982 in the last two games with one shutout. 

Because of this, the total for Game 3 is a bit low at 5.5. I think this is a big opportunity to bet on one of the highest-scoring teams in the league. 

Pick: OVER 5.5

Rangers vs. Penguins Prediction and Pick

Penguins fans, and bettors like myself, thought that Louis Domingue could keep the momentum going after making an emergency appearance in Game 1. Louis Domingue stood on his head, albeit briefly, and stopped all 17 shots the Penguins sent at him. It gave Pitt the time to get the puck to Evgeni Malkin with 5:58 to go in the sixth period for the win. 

However, on Friday, the third-string goalie for Pittsburgh got beat up as one would expect from the third-best goalie on the team. The Rangers put 40 shots on goal and scored five times. What makes this more impressive is that the five different Rangers scored on Louis Domingue and left him with a rating of -1.2 Goals Saved Above Expected. 

To make things worse, DeSmith is not the only significant injury the Pens are dealing with. Richard Rakell, Jason Zucker, and Brian Dumoulin are all listed as day-to-day.

As tempting as it is to take the Pens at home to pull off a zig-zag win, Louis Domingue did not look sharp at all on Thursday night. He is 30 years old, but Game 2 was his first start in the playoffs and added to his 18 total minutes to playoff action in relief.  The Penguins are a better overall team, but without a strong goalie, I think the Rangers are able to chip them down again. 

Pick: Rangers -120 ML

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE