Top NHL Picks for Today (Best Bets for Day 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs)

We went 2-2 again on Tuesday night, but unfortunately we finished down money with the odds of both winners being set at -125. The good news is, we're still profitable in postseason at 4-4 (+0.13 units).

Let's get back on the winning side of things tonight!

All odds listed below are via WynnBET Sportsbook.

Boston Bruins vs. Carolina Hurricanes Prediction and Pick

Despite the final score, the Bruins outshot the Hurricanes by a final tally of 36-25. Antti Raanta stepped up in a big way in place of injured starting goaltender, Frederick Andersen, stopping 35 of 36 shots.

The biggest question heading into Game 2, is can the Bruins dominate them as much in between the blue lines as they did in Game 1? If you look at the advanced analytic called "expected goals", the Bruins had the advantage, 3.35 compared to 3.09.

As a bettor, I don't think we saw anything in Game 1 that should make you bet any differently, especially considering the odds are the exact same for Game 2. The number one concern I had for the Bruins heading into the series was their shooting percentage, and that same issue showed up in the opening game, scoring only once on 36 shots.

I'll continue to ride the Hurricanes until I see something that changes my mind.

Pick: Hurricanes -120

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction

As excited as I am as a Maple Leafs after Game 1, I have to not like recency bias take over when placing a bet. Lightning head coach was correct after the game when he said "I'm not so sure the Maple Leafs had to play particularly well to beat us tonight."

That was as bad of a game as you'll see the Lightning play, and as good of a game as you'll see the Maple Leafs play. I don't expect the rest of the series to look similar, as much as I'd love that as a fan.

What might have been the most impressive feat of the game, was that the Leafs blocked 26 shots by the Lightning. Any stat you look at, you'll see that the Maple Leafs dominated the Lightning. Ironically, the only area Tampa Bay succeed in was hits, out-hitting Toronto by a final tally of 56-36.

Betting on this game comes down to one question: Will we see repeat performances from Game 1, or will we see the Lightning play a much better game?

This might be an emo-hedge on my part, but I think the Lightning will look more like their regular season-selves tonight.

Pick: Lightning +110

St. Louis Blues vs. Minnesota Wild Prediction and Pick

The keys for betting on Game 2 of any playoff series in any sport, is to not overreact to the Game 1 result. If you do, you'll be disappointed more often than not. That's especially the case in a series like this, where the Wild actually outshot the Blues in the opening game.

The Wild also had more high-danger scoring chances. They had 18, compared to the Blues with 13. Even when it comes to expected goals, the Wild had a 3.37 to 3.02 advantage. Game 1 is a perfect example of the puck just not bouncing one team's way.

I'm going to back the analytics and my pre-series prediction, and back Minnesota in Game 2.

Pick: Wild -135

Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers Prediction and Pick

The two offenses exploded in Game 1. Not only did they put up a combined seven goals, but their advanced analytics show that this game was all offense.

The Oilers had an expected goals of 4.33, and the Kings had an expected goals of 4, which means that the final total was actually lower than what the analytics shows it should've been. The two teams were both in the top five in high danger scoring chances amongst all 16 playoff teams in the opening games. The Oilers had 19 per 60 minutes, and the Kings had 15.

If this is any indication of how the entire series is going to be played, expect a plethora of goals. I love that we're able to get the over at plus-money tonight, so that's the way I'm betting.

Pick: OVER 6.5 (+100)

You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.