NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Here are tonight’s NHL predictions and best bets.
Montreal Canadiens (+110) at Buffalo Sabres (-130)
Total 5.5 (Over, -125)
Game 1
7 p.m. ET
The Sabres and Canadiens met four times in the regular season, with each team winning twice, each team scoring 13 goals in the four games, and both teams winning a game on the road. The Canadiens come into this series fresh off a game seven win over the Lightning in Tampa and start their second round series on the road in Buffalo. The last six teams that won a game seven on the road in the previous series and start the next series on the road are a perfect 6-0 in game one. I have no desire to buck this trend and will take a shot with the Canadiens at plus money.
On to the player props. Buffalo’s Peyton Krebs has points in five of the Sabres’ six playoff games. I will split one unit on Krebs to score a goal and to grab an assist as opposed to playing Krebs for a point. Jason Zucker has 10 goals in 25 games against the Canadiens along with two goals in four career playoff games versus the Habs. Montreal’s Cole Caufield has 10 goals and 16 points in 18 career games against the Sabres.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Montreal Canadiens Money Line (+110) – 1 unit
Jason Zucker anytime goal (+320) – .10 units
Cole Caufield anytime goal (+170) – .25 units
Peyton Krebs anytime goal (+500) – .10 units
Peyton Krebs Over ½ assist (+215) – .25 units
Tage Thompson/Alex Tuch/Cole Caufield/ Nick Suzuki point parlay (+270) – .25
Anaheim Ducks (+135) at Vegas Golden Knights (-160)
Total 6.5 (Under, -125)
Golden Knights lead series 1-0
9:30 p.m. ET
A missed icing call led to Ivan Barbashev’s game-winning goal in game one. Mitch Marner sealed the deal with an empty-netter, giving the Golden Knights a 3-1 victory in game one. Brett Howden opened the scoring for Vegas, scoring his team-leading fifth of the playoffs as he now has goals in four consecutive games. He has scored the first goal of the game in each of the last two games. The game one victory was the first this season for the VGK over Anaheim and the first time this season they held the Ducks to less than four goals. It was the second consecutive game Vegas held its opponent to just one goal.
On to the player props. Anaheim’s Jackson LaCombe picked up his team-leading ninth assist and 10th point of the playoffs in game one. He has earned an assist in all but one playoff game. Center Leo Carlsson had four shots on goal in game one and has recorded four shots on goal or more in every playoff game. Barbashev’s goal ran his points streak to seven, giving him a point in all seven playoff games. Golden Knights goalie Carter Hart had 33 saves in game one and has turned back 26 or more shots in five of his last seven games. Defenseman Shea Theodore has had at least two blocked shots in five consecutive games.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Jackson LaCombe Over ½ assist (+105) – 1 unit
Leo Carlsson 4+ shots on goal (+135) – 1 unit
Ivan Barbashev Over ½ assist (+255) – ½ unit
Ivan Barbashev anytime goal (+265) – ½ unit
Brett Howden anytime goal (+350) – ¼ unit
Brett Howden 1st goal of the game (+1800) – .05 units
Brett Howden 1st Vegas goal of the game (+1000) – .05 units
Theodore Over 1.5 blocks/Leo Carlsson 3+ shots on goal (+112) – 1 unit
Carter Hart Over 25.5 saves – ¼ unit
Barbashev point/Howden point/Marner point/ LaCombe assist (+650) – .15 units
