NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Here are tonight’s NHL predictions and best bets.
Montreal Canadiens (+100) at Buffalo Sabres (-120)
Total 5.5 (Over, -130)
Series tied at 2
7 p.m. ET
The Buffalo Sabres looked dead in the water after losing Games Two and Three of this series, but they bounced back to win Game Four. For those who believe momentum carries over from game to game, I will go with what players and coaches have told me in the past. Momentum carries from shift to shift within each game.
Now, let’s move on to my game five breakdown. The Canadiens have yet to lose consecutive games in this year’s playoffs, and the Sabres have lost three of four at home in this year’s postseason. Tuesday’s game four was the first time in 12 meetings between the two teams that we had less than six combined goals. The first period, Over 1.5, has cashed in all four games of the series. I don’t have a feeling either way on picking a winner for tonight and will pass on picking a winner for the remaining games. I have already cashed one of my series props, as I took both teams to win in six and seven games.
On to player props for tonight. Montreal’s Alex Newhook has goals in each of the last three games (five) and has the first Habs goal in each of those games. His five goals and 17 shots in the series lead the Canadiens in both categories. He has at least four shots on goal in all four games of the series. Cole Caufield has regained his scoring touch with goals in back-to-back games. I will continue to ride the hot hand of the 51-goal scorer in the regular season.
On to the Buffalo side. Josh Doan has points and assists in all four games of the series and in five straight when you go back to round one. If Rasmus Dahlin stays out of the penalty box (four minutes in game five), I see no reason why he doesn’t cash his shots on goal prop (Over 2.5). Dahlin had three shots on goal or more in his previous six games prior to game four on Tuesday. Rookie Konsta Helenius made his playoff debut in game four and had three shots on goal and six directed at the net. I don’t see his shots on goal prop available, but I will be on his goal and assist prop.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Montreal Canadiens/Buffalo Sabres Over 5.5 (-130) – 2 units
Alex Newhook anytime goal (+310) – ½ unit
Alex Newhook first Montreal goal (+950) – ¼ unit
Alex Newhook 3+ shots on goal (+195) – 1 unit
Alex Newhook 4+ shots on goal (+525) – ¼ unit
Alex Newhook most shots on goal for the game (+2200) – ¼ unit
Cole Caufield anytime goal (+170) – ¼ unit
Rasmus Dahlin Over 2.5 shots on goal (-135) – 1 unit
Josh Doan Over ½ assist (+176) – ½ unit
Josh Doan anytime goal (+330) – ¼ unit
Konsta Helenius anytime goal (+700) – .10 units
Konsta Helenius Over ½ assist (+400) – .10 units
Alex Tuch most shots on goal in the game (+800) – ¼ unit
(In-pocket bets prior to the series)
Buffalo Sabres to win series in 6 games (+500) – ¼ unit
Buffalo Sabres to win series in 7 games (+370) – ¼ unit
Montreal Canadiens to win series in 6 games (+400) – ¼ unit
Montreal Canadiens to win series in 7 games (+450) – ¼ unit
Vegas Golden Knights (-115) at Anaheim Ducks (-105)
Total 6 (Over, -120)
Golden Knights lead series 3-2
9:30 p.m. ET
The Vegas Golden Knights are 5-0 in their previous five Game Sixes in the Stanley Cup playoffs. They will face a Ducks team tonight that has yet to lose back-to-back games in this year’s playoffs. Already without Mark Stone (lower body injury), the Knights will also be without defenseman Brayden McNabb, suspended for tonight’s game for his late hit on the Ducks’ Ryan Poehling, who suffered an injury on the play and has been ruled out for tonight’s game as well. I am going to pass on both the side and the total and will continue to ride the player props.
The Ducks’ Beckett Sennecke has goals in each of the last four games, and each time he has opened the scoring for Anaheim. Mason McTavish has had at least two shots on goal in each of the last three games since being a healthy scratch and three shots on goal or more in back-to-back games. On the Golden Knights’ side, Pavel Dorofeyev, the overtime hero in game five, has goals in back-to-back games and four shots on goal in each of those games. Tomas Hertl has gotten back on track with goals in back-to-back games as well.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Beckett Sennecke anytime goal (+260) – ½ unit
Beckett Sennecke Ducks first goal (+900) – ¼ unit
Mason McTavish 2+ shots on goal (-120) – 2 units
Mason McTavish 3+ shots on goal (+265) – 1 unit
Pavel Dorofeyev anytime goal (+190) – ½ unit
Pavel Dorofeyev 3+ shots on goal (-130) – 1 unit
Tomas Hertl anytime goal (+340) – ¼ unit
Brett Howden anytime goal (+300) – ¼ unit
