The NHL Playoffs continue to deliver drama with double overtime games and huge upsets. There’s four games on the slate today, so lets take a look at some of those matchups.
Pittsburgh Penguins (-110) @ New York Islanders (-110)
The Islanders look to take the lead in Game 3 of this series on home ice. Game 2 was a defensive battle unlike Game 1, where there was 7 goals combined scored. Pittsburgh has been the better team but, their goaltending in Game 1 cost them a 2-0 series lead. Instead, we head into tonight’s game all tied up at 1-1.
The Islanders are sticking with their Game 2 starter, Semyon Varlamov who allowed 2 goals on 45 shot attempts. Pittsburgh will likely start Tristan Jarry, as he has started the previous two games for them but, has yet to be confirmed.
Pittsburgh is expected to get Malkin back for Game 3, as earlier reports have indicated. This should be a huge boost to Pittsburgh offense, specifically the Powerplay. The New York Islanders however, have been great at home all season with a 21-4-3 record. Since losing their captain Anders Lee the Islanders have struggled to find the back of the net. Their first three lines in this series do not have a great xGF. Besides that weak first goal in Game 2, Varlamov was solid, having a +2.7 goals saved above expectation. Tristan Jarry, opposite of him, also played well and rebounded from his Game 1 woes. The total for this series has been low in the first two games (5.0, 5.5) and is set at 5.5 again for tonight’s game. Even with the total being that low, I believe this game stays under.
Pick: Under 5.5 (-125) (Risk 1.25 Units)
Montreal Canadians (+170) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (-200)
The Leafs take on Montreal after winning the first ever North Division. The Canadians grabbed the last spot in the playoffs, beating out the Flames by 4 points. In the previous seasons the Leafs have been plagued by playoff woes. They look for redemption against a Canadians team that is going with a veteran lineup, scratching two of their best young players in Caufield and Kotkaniemi in Game 1.
The Habs are expected to start Carey Price, who they get back from injuries, in addition to Gallagher. Opposite of Price, Toronto has confirmed that Jack Campbell will start in net.
The Canadians are only given a 26.3% chance of winning this series according to the series odds. However, the Canadians can beat the Maple Leafs in this series if Price plays well and they stay disciplined. The public and media would dispute that statement, as they believe the Habs don’t stand a chance in this series. Toronto is offered at -200 tonight which is about twenty cents lower than the previous two games. In those games Toronto won 3-2 and 5-2. Even though the Habs can win this series, I like Toronto here in Game 1 given the Habs recent struggles.
Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs in Regulation -1.0, -105 (Risk 1.05 Unit)
Year to Date Record: 7-8 (-1.65 Units)
Playoff Record: 4-4 (+1.05 Units)
