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.
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Look below to find our free NHL picks for the four Round 1 games on today’s schedule!
Carolina Hurricanes @ Boston Bruins – 7.00PM ET
The series between the Carolina Hurricanes and Boston Bruins moves into the third game in Boston. The Hurricanes have a commanding 2-0 lead in the series after winning the first game 5-1, and it was a similar result in the second game, 5-2. The Bruins really need to win here, otherwise they could very well be swept in the series.
Marko Nadin
The Boston Bruins are finally home to try to get back in the series against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Bruins didn’t have their best performance in the opening two games of the series losing both games in Raleigh. The Bruins were pretty good at home in the regular season with a 22-14-2 record but that will mean nothing if they don’t pick up their offensive game and raise their efficiency in the power play situations. Boston has won 9 of the last 12 games after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game.
The Carolina Hurricanes did their job in the opening two games of the series not just by winning but by lifting their confidence to the highest possible level. The Hurricanes had no success in recent years when they met the Bruins in the playoffs but this time things will probably be way different. The Hurricanes scored 5 goals in each of the first two games and allowed a total of 3 proving once again why they are the best defensive team in the league. The ‘Canes travel to TD Garden with no state of emergency, but they will definitely try to finish the series with two road wins.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Carolina Hurricanes (+104)
Tony Battalio
The Carolina Hurricanes are on the doorstep of taking a 3-0 lead over the Boston Bruins. They have dominated the first two games of the series as they have won by a combined score of 10-3. They have looked unbeatable through the first two games as they scored five goals in each game. They finished the regular season as the number two seed in the East and as the Metropolitan Division champions. Carolina is the main favorite in the East at the moment.
The Boston Bruins had a decent regular season but they have been unable to score in the playoffs so far. It is likely going to be what leads to them having an early first round exit. They have been out scored by seven goals in the first two games combined and they have to find a way to stop the bleeding in this third game or they will risk going down 0-3. As for the result of this game, I’m going with the Carolina Hurricanes to get the win.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Carolina Hurricanes (+104)
Jeffery Thomas
The Carolina Hurricanes come into Game 3 with a 2-0 lead in the series and will be looking to deliver that crushing blow to really put the series out of hand. It’s a good bet to think they will do it as they have won all 5 meetings with Boston this year and in convincing fashion by a combined score of 26-4. Wednesday it was a 5-2 win for the Canes on the back of two power play goals.
Carolina just never lets up, and their speed and physicality just causes so many problems for the Bruins. I’m expecting Carolina to go up 3-0 in this game on Friday and eventually close out the series like most teams who go up 2-0 do historically. Boston is a really good team and has been all season, but as I keep saying I just can’t ever pick them in this matchup.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Carolina Hurricanes (+104)
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Tampa Bay Lightning – 7.30PM ET
This Round 1 series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning is all leveled up at 1-1. The Maple Leafs shutout the Lightning in Game 1, 5-0, but the Lightning couldn’t be kept down for long, winning Game 2, 5-3.
Marko Nadin
We saw two totally different games in the series between the Maple Leafs and the Lightning so far. Toronto started strong with a 5-0 victory making a statement that they are here for a longer playoff run. The NHL leading scorer, Auston Matthews scored twice in the season opener but failed to do so in Game 2 which was one of the reasons for the Maple Leafs loss. This is the sixth consecutive playoffs for the Maple Leafs but they failed to win a series in each of the previous five. In order to make a step further this season, they will need to win one of the next two games when they visit Tampa Bay.
The Tampa Bay Lightning started their run towards a third consecutive championship with a tough loss but they proved what they are made of with a 5–3 road win in the second game of the series. The series is now moving south and the Lightning will have a chance to take control of it. Tampa Bay has won 57 of the last 81 home games, 36 of the last 57 games when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game and 27 of the last 38 playoff games as favorites.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning (-122)
Tony Battalio
Toronto got a huge win in Game 1 over the two time defending Stanley Cup champions. Then in Game 2 they had a rough night. Now they will be looking to bounce back in Game 3 of this series as they look to knock out their division rivals in the first round. They had a strong regular season and as long as Auston Mathews can remain healthy throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they are a serious dark horse team to win the trophy.
The two time defending Stanley Cup champions bounced back in a big way in Game 2 of the series as they will now be looking to take a 2-1 lead at home. They have had to get home at the right time over the last two seasons to win it all, but this time around the competition is so much more difficult. As for the result of this one, I am going with the Toronto Maple Leafs to pick up the victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 3.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs (+102)
Jeffery Thomas
The two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning got a huge win on the road in Game 2 to steal home-ice advantage from the Toronto Maple Leafs and even the series up at 1-1. The 5-3 victory now puts the Bolts in a great spot to move on and continue their path to defending their crown with three of the next five games being in their arena. A big reason for the change in results from Games 1 to 2 was Tampa’s improvement on the power play.
After going 0-for-5 with the man advantage in Game 1 they turned around and converted 3 of 7 in Game 2 and went perfect on the penalty kill, killing all four opportunities. This game will be interesting because Tampa hasn’t won consecutive games against the Maple Leafs since 2019 and the current trend is that in the last six meetings between these two clubs, they have alternated victories. That has me leaning towards Toronto to get this win and take back the lead in the series, putting all the pressure on Tampa Bay to respond again in Game 4.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs (+102)
Minnesota Wild @ St. Louis Blues – 9.30PM ET
This series moves to St. Louis for Game 3, and we will see the Blues go up against the Minnesota Wild. The first two games of the series have brought completely different results, the first game was won by the Blues in a shutout, 4-0, and the next game was won by the Wild, 6-2.
Marko Nadin
The St. Louis Blues were the third seed in the Western Conference but got the second seed in the opening round of the Playoffs. Things do not look so bad for them as they have won 8 of the last 10 games against Minnesota including the 4-0 series opener win. The Blues started strong keeping a clean sheet against a team that was fifth in the league in efficiency. The second game didn’t go so well for the Blues, but they are now going back home with one win in their pocket. The Blues have won 9 of the last 11 games as favorites and 21 of the last 26 games after their opponent has allowed no more than 2 goals in the previous game.
The Minnesota Wild have finished second in the conference which is huge success for them but that can be gone in the opening round of the playoffs as they are going against a team that has been dominating them lately. After a tough loss in the season opener, the Wild bounced back with a 6-2 win and are going to St. Louis hoping to regain the home court advantage. They have won 6 of the last 7 games after scoring at least five goals in the previous game.
Marko’s NHL Pick: St. Louis Blues (-118)
Tony Battalio
The Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues are already having one of the best first round series. It is tied 1-1 coming into Game 3 in St. Louis. They have been one of the most consistent teams throughout the season. It is paying off during the course of the playoffs. They finished the regular season with a record of 53-22-7 as they were in the top three of the Central Division.
The St. Louis Blues are coming into this one looking to win their first game of the playoffs at home. They finished the regular season with a record of 49-22-11. They have also been one of the most consistent teams in the National Hockey League throughout the 2021-22 regular season. I think them and Minnesota will have the best first round series. As for the result of Game 3, I am taking the St. Louis Blues to get the win in their first home game of the playoffs.
Tony’s NHL Pick: St. Louis Blues (-118)
Jeffery Thomas
The Minnesota Wild responded to losing Game 1 0-4 by dominating Game 2 and winning by that same four-goal margin, 6-2. The Wild were able to convert two of their three power play opportunities and time after time converted St. Louis’ turnovers into high leverage offensive chances. The Wild also had a great penalty kill in Game 2, killing off four of the Blues’ five man advantages and just playing some inspired hockey.
I’m expecting that same effort to translate over into Game 3, as Minnesota really has to take advantage of the shorthanded Blues who have lost even more guys. Ville Husso however, will have other plans and as long as he is in net for St. Louis in a home game, the Blues have a great chance in that contest. The Wild haven’t won any of their last 7 trips to St. Louis and the Blues are 8-2 in their last 10 games following a loss of three or more goals. Husso is 15-3-2 in his home starts this season and I’m riding all these trends and backing the Blues who have to protect home-ice on Friday.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: St. Louis Blues (-118)
Edmonton Oilers @ Los Angeles Kings – 10.00PM ET
The fourth and final game on Friday night’s slate will see Game 3 of the series between the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings. After a tight tussle in Game 1, where the Kings won 4-3, it was more one sided in the second game, which saw the Oilers shutout the Kings, 6-0.
Marko Nadin
The Edmonton Oilers finished fifth in the Western Conference but despite that, they are a real title contender with one of the best rosters in the league. The Oilers didn’t start well, losing the series opener against the Kings with a costly mistake by their goaltender late in the final period. The Oilers proved their winning character in the second game winning by 6-0 and they are now going to Los Angeles with a mission to get back what they lost in Game 1. Edmonton has won the last 5 games when their opponent has allowed at least 5 goals in the previous game and 7 of the last 9 games as road favorites.
The Los Angeles Kings barely made it to the playoffs but had a strong start with a 4-3 win on the road in Edmonton. They were quickly thrown back to reality with a 0-6 loss in Game 2 but however, they achieved what they wanted in the two road games to start the series. The Kings now have a chance to win in their arena where they are 21-16-4 this season. The Kings have won 4 of the last 5 games allowing 5 or more goals in the previous one but have lost 19 of the last 26 as home underdogs.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Edmonton Oilers (-150)
Tony Battalio
The Edmonton Oilers are coming into this game after snagging a win in Game 2 of this series to even it up. They will be looking to grab a 2-1 lead in Los Angeles here in Game 3. As long as McDavid and the rest of the core can remain healthy, the Edmonton Oilers are a serious contender to win the Stanley Cup. Edmonton finished the regular season with a record of 49-27-6 and in second place of the Pacific Division.
The Los Angeles Kings are coming into this game looking to grab a win in this one in the first game of the postseason at home. Los Angeles finished the regular season with a record of 44-27-11 and as the third place team in the Pacific Division. They had a strong Game 1 and looked bad in Game 2, as they will be looking to bounce back in Game 3. As for the result of this game, I am taking the Edmonton Oilers to get the win.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Edmonton Oilers (-150)
Jeffery Thomas
The Edmonton Oilers responded to letting Game 2 slip away by just dominating on Wednesday and winning the game 6-0. The Oilers have looked the better team in both games and now with the series shifting to Los Angeles, the Kings will need to do something to slow down the Oilers attack and even out the special teams aspect of the game, which the Oilers have dominated.
The power play for Edmonton is 4 of 8 (50%) through the first two games and their penalty kill is a perfect 8 for 8. One of those penalty kills also resulted in a shorthanded goal for the Oilers. All of the momentum is with Edmonton who has won all of their past three trips to Los Angeles dating back to 2019. The Kings surprisingly have also lost their last five home playoff games overall, so I’m going to have to back the team that has looked so much better so far.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Edmonton Oilers (-150)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of writing, courtesy of FanDuel.
