NHL Predictions – Expert Picks on Thursday, April 24:
Here are Thursday’s NHL predictions.
Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning (-125, 5.5)
Game Two
6:30 p.m. ET
The Florida Panthers showed why they are the defending Stanley Cup Champions as they torched their in-state rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game One, 6-2. It was not the best of nights for Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, who gave up six goals on 17 shots. Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk scored twice (both on the power play) and added an assist despite playing just 11:43.
Tampa’s Anthony Cirelli played just over six minutes in Game One and was forced to leave the game early in the second period due to injury. Cirelli is listed as a game-time decision, and if he can’t go tonight, it will leave the Bolts with two holes to fill. Cirelli is the Lightning’s top penalty killing forward and their second line center. If he can’t go, look for Nick Paul to be elevated into his spot in the lineup.
There is no question that the Lightning got “punched in the mouth” in the opening game of the series. I expect them to answer back tonight and quickly. I do like Tampa to score the first goal of the game and do so in the opening 20 minutes. This prop play is available at “plus money.” Tampa’s Brayden Point scored in Game One and now has seven goals in 12 playoff games against the Panthers. Jake Guentzel also found the back of the net in game one and now has six goals in six playoff games against Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky.
On the Florida side for props, I will grab Brad Marchand to pick up at least one point tonight. This is Marchand’s time of the year. He picked up an assist in Game One, and he is available at plus money again tonight. Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart both found the back of the net in Game One. I will target both players to score again tonight. Reinhart has five goals in 10 games against Andrei Vasilevskiy. Bennett, who plays second-line center and on the second power play unit, is available at (+340) to score a goal tonight. That is outstanding value. Lastly, a pizza money wager on the Tkachuk brothers to each score a goal tonight.
Game Two Predictions:
Tampa Bay Lightning to score 1st and 1st period (+125) – .50 units
Brayden Point anytime goal (+155) – .20 units
Jake Guentzel anytime goal (+175) – .20 units
Brad Marchand over ½ point (+124) – .20 units
Sam Reinhart anytime goal (+195) – .20 units
Sam Bennett anytime goal (+340) – .20 units
Matthew Tkachuk anytime goal (+220) – .20 units
Matthew and Brady Tkachuk anytime goal parlay (+780) – .10 units
Toronto Maple Leafs at Ottawa Senators (-125, 5.5)
Game Three
7 p.m. ET
The Ottawa Senators have gone from underdog to favorite as the scene shifts to Canada’s capital. It should be a raucous crowd tonight in Ottawa as they host their first playoff game in eight years. I understand the line move as the prevailing thought is that this is a “must win” for the Senators, who trail the series 2-0, but “must win” doesn’t mean that Ottawa will win tonight. I am not interested in laying a price with the home team.
For me, tonight is all about prop plays. The Leafs’ power play has been deadly in the first two games, scoring on four of their seven opportunities. The four goals were scored in a 38-second span of game time. John Tavares and Mitch Marner each have three power play points, while Auston Matthews and William Nylander each have a pair. Matthews is still in search of his first goal in the series. He scored 12 goals in 13 regular-season games against Senators goalie Linus Ullmark and scored in the one game he faced Ullmark when he was the Boston Bruins goalie.
Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk has had five shots on goal in each of the first two games. I will once again be on his shots on goal prop to go Over the total (4.5). Claude Giroux has 82 points in 97 career playoff games and averages over a point a game against the Maple Leafs in his career. I do like the Senators to score first tonight.
Game Three Predictions:
Mitch Marner Over ½ Power Play Point (+185) – .20 units
John Tavares Over ½ Power Play Point (+210) – .20 units
Auston Matthews anytime goal (+155) – .20 units
Thomas Chabot Over ½ assist (+190) – .20 units
Claude Giroux Over ½ point (+128) – .20 units
David Perron anytime goal (+500) – .20 units
Matthew Knies anytime goal (+290) – .20 units
Brady Tkachuk anytime goal (+170) – .20 units
Brady Tkachuk Over 4.5 SOG (+165) – .20 units
Ottawa Senators to score 1st goal of 1st period (+120) – .20 units
