Top NHL Picks and Predictions Today (Game 1 for Rangers vs. Hurricanes and Oilers vs. Flames)
We almost hit on both underdogs in the first night of the second round of the NHL Playoffs.
The Lightning handled the Panthers, beating them 4-1 in the first game of the battle of Florida. The Blues then gave the Avalanche all they could handle before eventually losing 3-2 in overtime.
Last night moved my NHL Playoff betting record to 27-25-1 for +1.92 units. Let's have another profitable night tonight as the other two series face-off.
All odds listed below are via WynnBET Sportsbook.
Rangers vs. Hurricanes Prediction and Pick
I'm officially out on the New York Rangers. Despite getting the series win against the Penguins, they were severely outplayed in just about every metric outside of goaltending.
Sure, the Hurricanes don't have their starting goaltender for this series, Frederik Andersen, but Antti Raanta is a more than serviceable backup and he sported a .927 save percentage in their first round series against the Bruins.
The Rangers allowed the Penguins to average 18.23 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes in their opening round. If they play that poorly on defense against the Hurricanes, this series will be over in the blink of an eye.
The Hurricanes averaged the third most high-danger scoring chances throughout the regular season, so I expect their offense to pepper Shesterkin with shots tonight.
Pick: Hurricanes -1.5 (+145)
Oilers vs. Flames Prediction and Pick
The battle of Alberta is set to begin tonight. Both teams needed a Game 7 to advance to this round, but now all hockey fans get the series they were hoping for.
The Flames dominated the Stars the entire series. If it wasn't for the Stars goaltender, Jake Oettinger, that series would have been over quite a bit earlier. Calgary was also one of the best analytical teams in the regular season. They finished third in CORSI%, second in high danger scoring chances allowed, and fifth in save percentage.
The Oilers are a solid team, but their numbers just don't stack up to the Flames. They have one of the best lines in the NHL with Conor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but the Flames have the defense to shut them down. I'll back Calgary tonight.
Pick: Flames -160
You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.