We have loved the action throughout this impressive NHL season and now it’s the time everyone has been waiting for – playoffs time! It is sure to be a cracking playoffs this season with many high quality teams looking to stop the Tampa Bay Lightning from winning the Stanley Cup for a third time in a row. But before we get to the Stanley Cup final, teams must make it through the first round.
Here at SportsTips, we are just as keen on the NHL as you are! We spend each and every day going through the best games and previewing them for you. Our experts offer up their free NHL picks, which means that you not only get enjoyment out of watching some intriguing games, but also make extra cash while doing so!
Look below to find our free NHL picks for the three Round 1 games on today’s schedule!
New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh Penguins – 7.00PM ET
The New York Rangers did what they needed to do in Game 5, which was to win so they weren’t eliminated from the playoffs. They ended up beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3, to take the series to 3-2, in favor of the Penguins. But now the Rangers face a tougher test, as they are still facing elimination, but will have to get the win on the road.
Marko Nadin
The Pittsburgh Penguins have a chance to close the series against the New York Rangers tonight at home. They were the better team in the series which is the reason why they are 3-2 up and they will definitely need to win this one and avoid returning to the Big Apple for a decisive Game 7. New York played their best game of the series in Game 5 winning by 5-3, finally picking up their defense after allowing 7 goals in each of the previous two games. The Penguins will have huge support from the packed arena and with the experienced players they have on the roster, they will get an early lead and win this one pretty easily.
Pittsburgh has won 8 of the last 9 games after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game, 14 of the last 19 home games and 8 of the last 11 games played on Friday. The Rangers have won 64 of the last 91 games as road favorites but have lost 6 of the last 8 games against teams with a winning record and the last 4 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins (+106)
Tony Battalio
The Pittsburgh Penguins were unable to close out this series in Game 5 and now they come into Game 6 with an opportunity to end this first round series at home. They currently hold a 3-2 lead over the New York Rangers as they return home to Pittsburgh for Game 6. They would love to be able to avoid a winner take all in Game 7 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. The Pens have been decent at home this season as they went 23-13-5 in the regular season.
The New York Rangers are looking to make a miraculous comeback in this first round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins. They will need to win this one to force a Game 7 back at home in New York City. They finished with a record of 25-14-2 in 41 games on the road this season. As for the result of this game, I am going with the New York Rangers to pick up the victory in this one.
Tony’s NHL Pick: New York Rangers (-122)
Jeffery Thomas
The Pittsburgh Penguins will have another chance at closing out the New York Rangers in Game 6 and this time it will be at home. That’s the good news, but there is also some bad news as they may be without their captain and franchise legend Sidney Crosby. Crosby left Game 5’s 3-5 loss to the Rangers in the second period after appearing to get an elbow to the head.
He has a scary history with concussions so his status is uncertain and without him, the series could be taking a turn. Crosby leads them in points and his presence will be missed but the Rangers will hope for another good performance from goalie Igor Shesterkin regardless. He bounced back from a couple bad games but the question has always been his road outings.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: New York Rangers (-122)
Florida Panthers @ Washington Capitals – 7.30PM ET
The Florida Panthers are in the box seat at the moment, as they hold the 3-2 series lead against the Washington Capitals. They won the all important Game 5 by a score of 5-3, and now will head to Washington with the hope of winning the series in Game 6, while the Capitals will be pushing hard to force a Game 7.
Marko Nadin
The Florida Panthers hoped that they would be done by now in the opening round of the playoffs but here they are going into Game 6 on the road trying to avoid going back home for the decisive Game 7. The Panthers finished the season with 122 points which is the seventh-best record in NHL history. Their team finally looks ready to attack the Stanley Cup but first they need to go over the experienced Capitals roster. Washington proved that they are a tough opponent so far in the season but they will be done tonight as the Panthers will prove why they are the best scoring team in the league and fill in the Capitals goal to the top.
Florida has won 5 of the last 6 games when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game, 20 of the last 27 road games as favorites and 37 of the last 52 games played after one day off. Washington has won 6 of their last 8 games after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game but has lost 9 of the last 12 Conference Quarterfinals games and 6 of the last 7 games played after one day rest.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Florida Panthers (-184)
Tony Battalio
The Florida Panthers are one game away from advancing to the second round. They got a big win in Game 5 and now they have the opportunity to end this series on the road. They have been the best team in the National Hockey League all season long and they hold home ice advantage all throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs. They are hard to beat on the road and at home, so them being on the road in this one isn’t much of a disadvantage.
The Washington Capitals are coming into this one with their backs against the wall as they will look to stave off elimination and force a Game 7 against the Florida Panthers. Alexander Ovechkin has had a great season but he will need to step up his play if he wants to get his team past the first round this season. As for the result of this game, I am going with the Washington Capitals to force a Game 7.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Washington Capitals (+152)
Jeffery Thomas
The Florida Panthers have rallied from a 1-2 deficit in the series and now lead 3-2 with a chance to close out the Washington Capitals on the road. The Panthers had to rally from a 0-3 hole in Game 5 and did just that, scoring five unanswered goals to take the lead in the series for the first time. Carter Verhaeghe had a historic game, setting the franchise record for points in a playoff game (5) with two goals and three assists. It was just an encore to his two-goal outing in Game 4’s overtime win.
The Panthers are the better team of the two and have shown that by outscoring the Caps by a 15-8 margin at even strength. Where Washington holds the advantage is in special teams as they have scored at least one power play goal in every game and are a perfect 16-for-16 on penalty kills. If the Panthers can stay out of the box and just play this game straight up, it will be a series-clinching win for them and that’s exactly how I see this one playing out.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Florida Panthers (-184)
Calgary Flames @ Dallas Stars – 9.30PM ET
The final game on Friday night’s slate in the NHL will see Game 6 between the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars. The Flames are in the driver’s seat in this series at the moment, as they currently hold a 3-2 lead. But the Stars will certainly be giving all they’ve got in front of their home crowd to try to take this series to seven games.
Marko Nadin
The Dallas Stars have found themselves in deficit once again after losing the last two games. The Stars barely made it to the playoffs but started the series strong winning the opening game on the road in Calgary. Now they are under pressure to stay alive in the series when the Flames visit the American Airlines Center on Friday night. The Flames had a difficult start of the series even though they were major favorites to take care of business early in the series. Calgary proved that they are one of the best defensive teams in the league allowing only 1 goal in each of the last two games against the Stars.
Dallas won the last game at home but that will not be the case this time as the Flames will win this one and advance to the second round of the Playoffs. Calgary has won 16 of the last 21 games when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game, 18 of the last 25 games as a road favorite and 19 of the last 27 games played after one day rest. Dallas has won the last 4 games played on Friday but has lost 7 of the last 10 as home underdog.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Calgary Flames (-170)
Tony Battalio
The Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars are having an all time classic first round series. The Calgary Flames currently lead the series 3-2 heading into Game 6 of this series. They will be looking to close out the series in this one on the road in Dallas. They have been decent on the road this season and are one of the most dangerous teams in the Stanley Cup Playoffs as they are a serious contender to win the title.
The Dallas Stars have their backs against the wall in this one as they are in a must win situation to keep their season alive. They are having a great back and forth series as they will be looking to force a Game 7. They have been decent at home this season as they will look to use the home ice advantage in this one to force a Game 7. As for the result of this one however, I don’t see it happening as I have the Calgary Flames getting the win to wrap the series up.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Calgary Flames (-170)
Jeffery Thomas
The Calgary Flames gave up the first goal in Game 5 but from that point on did all the scoring, netting three unanswered goals to win the game and take a 3-2 series lead. Calgary had just three goals total in the first 3 games combined but may have finally cracked the code on Stars goalie Jake Oettinger.
The Flames have scored a total of seven goals in the last two games, while only allowing two and it appears the Pacific Division champs are ready to close this one out in 6. Dallas was a Wild Card team that had to fight for a spot all the way to the end of the regular season, so not much was expected of them in this playoff run. They put up a respectable fight but I think it all ends Friday on their home, as the Flames are just the far better team.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Calgary Flames (-170)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of writing, courtesy of FanDuel.
