Top NHL Picks for Today (Best Bets for Day 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs)

After an exciting opening night on Monday, we have a second day of Game 1's to get to on Tuesday.

Last night, I went 2-2 with my picks, but walked away with a profit after cashing on the Kings as +170 underdogs. Let's keep the momentum rolling today.

I'm sad to report that my picks are chalky for tonight, as I'm backing three favorites and an UNDER. Let's dive into them.

All odds listed below are via WynnBET Sportsbook.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers Prediction and Pick

After trashing the Rangers early in the season, my opinion has flipped on them. It's going to be tough to make a case for betting against the best goaltender in the NHL. With a goals against average of 2.07, the Rangers can seemingly lock up a win on any given night by notching three goals.

What I especially like about the Rangers, is that they've become a much better defensive team as the season went on, leaving Shesterkin out to dry fewer times than they did in the opening months. Over their last 10 games, they rank sixth in the NHL in high danger scoring chances allowed.

I like the Rangers to win the series, and I like them to win Game 1 tonight.

Pick: Rangers -130

Washington Capitals vs. Florida Panthers Prediction and Pick

Capitals goaltender, Ilya Samsonov, has had a rough end to his 2021-22 campaign. Over the Capitals last 25 games, they rank 31st in the NHL in team save percentage, stopping only 88.2 percent of shots on goal. That's abysmal.

Now, they have to face the most potent offense in the NHL. The Panthers averaged 4.06 goals per 60 minutes this season, the most in the league by a wide margin. This is a recipe for disaster for the Capitals, who limped into the playoffs to begin with.

Everything is going against Washington in Game 1, and I expect a major blowout in favor of Florida.

Pick: Panthers -1.5 (+110)

Nashville Predators vs. Colorado Avalanche Prediction and Pick

I lost all hope in the Predators chances when they lost Juuse Saros to injury. Their backup goaltenders aren't just bad, they're HORRENDOUS. David Rittich will probably be the goaltender they turn to, and he has an abysmal 3.57 goals against average and .886 save percentage this season. That's not going to get it done against the Avalanche.

The Predators, as a whole, aren't a great team either. They rank 19th in CORSI% and 21st in expected goals. They're the worst team in the NHL Playoffs, and now they're faced with taking on arguably the best team.

I can't forsee anything but an Avalanche blowout happening in Game 1 in Colorado.

Pick: Avalanche -1.5 (-125)

Dallas Stars vs. Calgary Flames Prediction and Pick

The Stars can be a tough team to handicap, because they don't do anything particularly well, but they're also not terribly weak in any area either. One spot that they have struggled with lately is their shooting. Over their last 25 games, they rank 27th in shooting percentage, finding the back of the net on just 8.89 percent of shots.

That's not good news considering they're facing one of the top defensive teams in the NHL in the Flames. Calgary ranks third in high danger scoring chances allowed, and fourth in expected goals against.

Considering we have a good defensive team going up against a struggling offense, the UNDER seems to be the play tonight.

Pick: UNDER 6 (-125)

You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.