NHL Predictions – Expert Picks on Saturday, May 10
Here are tonight’s NHL predictions:
Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes (-225, 5.5)
Game Three: Series tied 1-1
6 p.m. ET
The Carolina Hurricanes accomplished what teams who start a seven-game playoff series on the road want to do, and that is to earn at least a split of the first two games. Now the series shifts back to Carolina, where the Hurricanes are a perfect 3-0 in the playoffs. Their 31 home wins during the regular season were tied with the Los Angeles Kings for the most in the NHL, including winning both meetings against the Caps at the Lenovo Center.
Home teams overall this year in the playoffs have been dominant, going 37-19, compared to the past two seasons, where the home teams were 42-46 and 41-47. Credit ESPN.com for this little nugget. The Hurricanes have not held an in-game lead since Game Four of the first round against the Devils. They won the series in Game Five in a double-overtime game, then won Game One of this series 2-1 in OT after trailing 1-0. Since that lead in Game Four of the first round, they trailed for 89:28 and been tied for 117:55. The Hurricanes have been outscored 12-11 in the playoffs when both teams are playing at 5 on 5. For me, it’s Capitals or pass when it comes to playing either side.
I do like Carolina to score the first goal of the game. Teams coming off a loss in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year have scored the first goal in 29 of the 44 games. I don’t like the (-160) price on Carolina to score the first goal, so I am going to parlay them to score the first goal of the game with an alternate full game total of 6.5 to get a “plus money” on the wager.
Sticking with the prop plays for this game. The Capitals’ training staff has been loading up on ice bags for players’ post-game recovery. Through two games, Washington has blocked 65 shots, including eight (five in Game Two, three in Game One) by defenseman Jakob Chychrun. He leads all Caps players with 23 blocked shots in the playoffs. I also like the empty-net goal prop and wagering on both teams to score into the yawning cage. You get a far better price playing the teams individually than you do for the game just to have an empty-net goal.
Game Three Predictions:
Canes to score 1st goal/Under 6.5 parlay (+139) – 1 unit
Jakob Chychrun Over 2.5 blocked shots (+145) – .50 units
Capitals to score an empty-net goal (+575) – .10 units
Hurricanes to score an empty-net goal (+200) -.10 units
Tom Wilson anytime goal (+300) – .10 units
Tom Wilson Over ½ assist (+176) – .10 units
Aliaksei Protas anytime goal (+420) – .10 units
Aliaksei Protas Over ½ assist (+265) – .10 units
Logan Stankoven anytime goal (+310) – .10 units
Vegas Golden Knights at Edmonton Oilers (-120, 6.5)
Game Three: Oilers lead series 2-0
9 p.m. ET
Breaking news from Mark Spector who covers the Edmonton Oilers for Sportsnet. Spector reports that Stuart Skinner is in the “starter’s net” at the team’s morning skate. Skinner has not played since being replaced by Calvin Pickard in the third period of Game Two against the Los Angeles Kings. Pickard appeared to get hurt in game two against Vegas when Thomas Hertl was pushed into Pickard and landed on his left leg. He is listed as day-to-day.
The Golden Knights have dug themselves into a major hole, losing the first two games of this series at home and now must win four of the next five games to eliminate the Oilers. Edmonton has now won six straight. In all six wins, they have surrendered the first goal. The six come-from-behind victories are a Stanley Cup Playoff record. With the Golden Knights coming off a loss in Game Two, I will be on them to score the first goal of the game, and I do like the first period Over 1.5. I also like Edmonton to score a second period goal and will parlay that with the Knights to score in the first period.
Game Three Predictions:
1st Period Over 1.5/Over 5.5 (-112) – 1 unit
Vegas to score first goal of the game (-110) – 1 unit
Vegas/Edmonton Over 6.5 (-125) – 1 unit
Vegas to score first goal, first period (+120) – .50 units
Vegas to score an empty net goal (+380) – .20 units
Edmonton Oilers -1.5 goals- .20 units
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins anytime goal (+280) – .10 units
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Over ½ assist (+145) – .10 units
Jack Eichel Over 1.5 points (+190) – .10 units
Jack Eichel 1st period goal (+650) – .10 units
Mark Stone Over ½ assist (+128) – .10 units
Mark Stone anytime goal (+220) – .10 units
Connor Brown anytime goal (+525) – .10 units
Corey Perry anytime goal (+290) – .10 units
