NHL Predictions – Expert Picks on Tuesday, April 22:
Here are Tuesday’s NHL predictions.
New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes (-260, 5.5)
Game Two – Carolina Hurricanes lead series 1-0
6 p.m. ET
The hits keep coming for the New Jersey Devils, and unfortunately, they have been on the wrong end of the hits. Already without defenseman Jonas Segenthaler, New Jersey could be without Brendan Dillon, who left Game One after playing just 8:53. Luke Hughes, who briefly left Game One only to return later in the game, is likely playing at less than 100 percent.
The Devils gave up 45 shots in Game One. Although many were not of the high danger variety, it does open the door to target Devils goalie Jacob Markstrom’s save prop. The Devils looked overmatched for much of the contest as they were outshot 38-13 after two periods and were fortunate to be trailing only 3-1.
With the loss in Game One, the Devils have now lost five of their past six games going back to the end of the regular season, and four of the five losses were by two or more goals. Carolina’s Jesperi Kotkaniemi cashed his assist prop (+330) in game one and now has six points in six playoff games against the Devils.
Game 2 Predictions:
Jesperi Kotkaniemi Over ½ assist +300 – .25 unit
Carolina Hurricanes 1st Period -1/2 goal +130 – .25 units
Carolina Hurricanes in Regulation (-150) – .25 units
Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 goals +112 – .25 units
Jacob Markstrom Over 29.5 saves +230 – .25 units
Jacob Markstrom Over 34.5 saves +850 – .10 units
Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs (-192, 5.5)
Game Two – Toronto Maple Leafs lead series 1-0
7:30 p.m. ET
The Ottawa Senators let their emotions get the best of them in Game One. The Maple Leafs pounced on the Senators, going three for six on the power play as they pounded Ottawa, 6-2. Toronto broke the game wide open with a pair of power play goals in the second period, including one of the goals when Ottawa had two players in the penalty box. Senators captain, Brady Tkachuk, said after the game that his team needed to be more disciplined. Coach Travis Green shared his displeasure with the officiating. Either way, Ottawa is going to need to keep their emotions in check in game two or they will find themselves in a 2-0 series deficit.
Hockey players have short-term memories, especially when it comes to the playoffs. I still believe this series goes on for six games, but I am not ready to wager on the Senators to win. I do believe we will see at least six goals, so I will be on the Over 5.5 goals for the full game. Toronto’s Auston Matthews was not one of the six goal scorers in game one, but still is averaging a goal a game (12 goals/12 games) against Senator goalie, Linus Ullmark.
I targeted Matthew Knies to score at least three goals in the series, and he found the back of the net in Game One. I will target him again in Game Two. Shot blocks have become my new favorite prop. The Leafs have a couple of blueliners who have no problem sacrificing their body to win a playoff game. Jake McCabe had four blocks in Game One and Simon Benoit had 3. I like both to cash their shot block prop tonight. On the Ottawa side, I will look at Brady Tkachuk and his shots on goal prop. Tkachuk had five shots on goal in Game One and 12 in total that were directed at the net. Both were team highs.
Game Two Predictions:
Jack McCabe Over 2.5 blocks +155 – .25 units
Simon Benoit Over 2.5 blocks +260 -.25 units
Brady Tkachuk Over 4.5 SOG +200 – .25 units
Claude Giroux Over ½ point +160 – .25 units
David Perron anytime goal +500 – .25 units
Minnesota Wild at Vegas Golden Knights (-245, 5.5)
Game Two – Golden Knights lead series 1-0
11 p.m. ET
The Golden Knights won game one on Sunday night with a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. But the story in this game was the final goal of the game that needed replay to confirm the puck crossed the line with .01 seconds left in the game. The goal counting was horrible “beat” for those who had the Under 5.5, the Wild +1.5 goals, and the Vegas team total under 3.5. Once again, I’ll stay away from sides and totals and focus on player props. The Golden Knights’ Brayden McNabb ranked 14th in the league for blocked shots in the regular season and continued his prowess to get in front of galvanized rubber at high speeds in Game One with six blocks. I will come back with the McNabb shot block at Over 2.5 and his alternate line at Over 3.5. Pavel Dorofeyev and Tomas Hertl led the Golden Knights with 35 and 32 goals, respectively, and both scored in the series-opening game. No reason the two can’t come back in game two and each light the lamp. Kirill Kapizov was having an MVP-type season before he suffered an injury in January and had a pair of assists in game one. Matt Boldy was the beneficiary of Kaprizov’s brilliance, scoring both Minnesota goals.
Game Two Predictions:
Brayden McNabb Over 2.5 blocked shots +145 – .25 units
Brayden McNabb Over 3.5 blocked shots +375 – .10 units
Pavel Dorofeyev anytime goal +220 – .25 units
Tomas Hertl anytime goal +250 – .25 units
Jacob Middleton Over 2.5 blocked shots +135 – .25 units
Kirill Kaprizov Over 1.5 points +215 – .25 units
