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 four Round 1 games on today’s schedule!
Florida Panthers @ Washington Capitals – 7.00PM ET
It’s Game 4 in the first round series between the Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals. The Panthers are in for a bigger fight then they were probably expecting in the first round, as they are currently 1-2 down. Each of the first three games have been by fairly sizable margins as well, with the Capitals winning the first and third games 4-2 and 6-1, respectively, and the Panthers winning Game 2, 5-1.
Marko Nadin
The Florida Panthers had a historically good regular season but here they are 1-2 down in the opening playoff round against the eighth seed Washington Capitals. After bouncing back in Game 2, the Panthers scored first in Game 3 but then the Capitals went on to score 6 unanswered goals for a dominant win and a series lead. Now the 2018 NHL champions have a chance to get one win away from the second round with a home court win on Monday night. The Panthers were 24-11-6 on the road in the regular season and they will have to win this one in Capital Center.
The Capitals have won 4 of the last 5 home games as underdogs but have lost 7 of the last 10 Conference Quarterfinals games and 4 of the last 5 games when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. The Panthers have won 16 of the last 21 games when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game, 19 of the last 26 games as road favorites and 39 of the last 54 games when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Florida Panthers (-182)
Tony Battalio
The Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals are having a great series thus far. Washington leads the series 2-1 heading back to Washington for Game 4. They have a real chance to get the upset of the entire playoffs if they manage to knock out the top team in the National Hockey League. Florida will have their backs against the wall in this one as they will be desperate for a win. They will be absolutely relieved to get back home in Game 5 if they get the win in Game 4.
The Washington Capitals are putting up a serious threat to the Florida Panthers at the moment. They currently lead this series by 2-1 at the moment. As long as Alexander Ovechkin remains healthy, they are a serious contender to win the Stanley Cup in my opinion. As for the result of the fourth game of this series however, I am going with the Florida Panthers to get the win over the Washington Capitals.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Florida Panthers (-182)
Jeffery Thomas
A lot of people were probably thinking Game 1 was just a fluke win for the Washington Capitals, especially after Florida came back in Game 2 and beat them 5-1. Well the Caps proved all those doubters wrong with their Game 3 performance where they won 6-1 and stole back home-ice advantage. The Panthers are now facing their first must-win game of the series, as going down 1-3 would be almost fatal to their season.
Much like Game 2, I expect the Panthers to answer this adversity with a great performance. It’s very hard to keep this talented and electric offense down for two straight games and trying to outscore them over and over will be a losing proposition long term. Give me the Panthers on the road in Game 4 to tie the series and make it a best of 3.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Florida Panthers (-182)
New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh Penguins – 7.00PM ET
The Pittsburgh Penguins play their second game at home for this series against the New York Rangers. It is also the Penguins who have the lead in this series, 2-1, as they won the first and third game. The Rangers will be hoping for a better performance in this Game 4 in order to level the series.
Marko Nadin
The Pittsburgh Penguins stole Game 1 in New York in triple overtime and took advantage in Game 3 at home to take a 2-1 series win with a 7-4 win. The Penguins had a strong start of the game scoring 4 goals in the first period of the game. The Rangers quickly regrouped, scoring three unanswered goals in the second period to tie the score at 4-4. In the last period it was all Penguins, as the home team went on to score three more goals for a final 7-4 victory. The Rangers were the second-best defensive team in the league allowing 2.5 goals per game but that didn’t make any difference in this game as the Penguins went on a scoring spree.
The Penguins have won 5 of the last 6 home games, 13 of the last 18 home games as underdogs but have lost 6 of the last 7 games when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game. The Rangers have won 8 of the last 10 games following a loss of 3 or more goals, 7 of the last 9 games after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game and 8 of the last 11 road games.
Marko’s NHL Pick: New York Rangers (-108)
Tony Battalio
The New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins are having an amazing first round playoff series at the moment. The Pittsburgh Penguins currently lead the series 2-1 at the moment as they get ready to play Game 4 at home in Pittsburgh. They have been a consistent team all season long and they will be looking to knock out one of the biggest surprise playoff teams of the 2021-22 National Hockey League season.
The New York Rangers have shocked a lot of people this season with their play. Not many people expected them to be in the Stanley Cup playoffs this season and now they have a really good shot of making a run to the Stanley Cup playoffs. They finished the regular season in second place of the Metropolitan Division and having home ice advantage in this series could be beneficial in the end. As for the result of this game, I’m taking the New York Rangers to get the win.
Tony’s NHL Pick: New York Rangers (-108)
Jeffery Thomas
The Pittsburgh Penguins are defying all logic with their performances so far, as they are down to their third-string goalie but still have a 2-1 series lead over the New York Rangers. Vezina Trophy favorite Igor Shesterkin struggled mightily in Game 3, allowing 4 first period goals and was eventually pulled for his struggles. You’d expect him to bounce back in a major way with his team now having their backs against the wall, but it is just his first playoff series and he has not ever had this much pressure on him.
I’m very interested to see how he comes out in Game 4 because one thing’s for sure, the Penguins will not take their foot off the gas when challenging him. The Rangers have been a very good road team recently, going 8-2 straight up in their last 10 away from home. I don’t think we’ll continue to see Igor play as bad as he has and I’m looking for the Rangers to exploit the Pen’s weaknesses on defense in this one to tie up the series. I also like the over a lot in this game too, as both teams are averaging over 4 goals a game in the series.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: New York Rangers (-108)
Colorado Avalanche @ Nashville Predators – 9.30PM ET
The Colorado Avalanche have their first chance to wrap up the series tonight, and if they do it will be a clean sweep. They have beaten the Nashville Predators in all three games so far, by a score of 7-2, 2-1 (overtime) and 7-3, respectively.
Marko Nadin
The Colorado Avalanche proved why they were on top of the Western Conference for most of the regular season. They are having a strong start of the playoffs as they are 3-0 up against the Nashville Predators. The Predators defeated the Avalanche three times during the regular season but stood no chance in this series as the Avalanche dominated most of the time. Game 2 went into overtime but Colorado took care of business in that one as well. The Predators have a chance to stay alive in the series tonight when they host Colorado.
The Avalanche have won 11 of the last 12 Conference Quarterfinals games, 17 of the last 21 games when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game and 35 of the last 51 games after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game. The Predators have won 9 of the last 13 games following a home loss of 3 or more goals but have lost 4 of the last 5 games when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game and 5 of the last 6 games against teams with a winning record of over 60%.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Colorado Avalanche (-255)
Tony Battalio
The Colorado Avalanche are absolutely dominating this series at the moment as they hold a 3-0 lead over the Nashville Predators. They will be looking to close the series out in this one in Game 4 in Nashville. Two of the three games haven’t even been close as Colorado is out scoring Nashville by a total of 10 goals as they’ve scored 16 compared to Nashville’s six. They are the clear favorites in the Western Conference at the moment.
The Nashville Predators have their backs against the wall in this one as they currently trail the series by 0-3. They will have to win this game if they want to keep their series alive. They have looked absolutely lethargic over the course of the first three games of the playoffs and at this point it doesn’t look like they will recover. As for the result of this game, I am going with the Colorado Avalanche to pick up the victory and be the first team to end the first round series.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Colorado Avalanche (-255)
Jeffery Thomas
The Colorado Avalanche are in a spot that no other team is in right now in these playoffs and that is with a 3-0 lead and a chance to sweep out their opponent. They’ve won the first three contests by a combined score of 16-6 and are showing the league that they are the team to beat in these Stanley Cup Playoffs. Avs defenseman Cale Makar is having himself another great postseason, leading all scorers with seven points through three games. His career postseason points per game now sits at an even 1.00, which is good for fourth best all-time amongst defensemen.
There’s not much hope left for the Nashville Predators here but they’re home fans will surely show up ready to will their team to victory and keep their season alive. The Colorado Avalanche have looked so much better than the Preds in this series and I think Monday will be the end of it. They know the goal at hand and they won’t be messing around, and will want to get this one wrapped up as soon as possible to rest up for a deep playoff run. Nashville is a good team and could’ve made a run themselves with a better draw, but running into the Avs was the worst case scenario and they’ll now have to head into the offseason victims of a sweep.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Moneyline (3-way) – Colorado Avalanche (-160)
Calgary Flames @ Dallas Stars – 9.30PM ET
The Round 1 series continues on for the Calgary Flames and Dallas Stars on Monday night in the NHL. It is the Stars who have the lead in the series at the moment, 2-1, after winning the second and third game. The Flames will be looking to get the win on the road so the series is level again before heading back to Calgary.
Marko Nadin
The Calgary Flames had an excellent regular season but now they are in a 1-2 deficit against the Dallas Stars team that barely made it to the playoffs. After two low scoring games in which both teams won one of those, the Stars went on to win 4-2 in Game 3 on home ice. Calgary took a 2-1 lead early in the second period and from that point on the Stars scored three unanswered goals. Despite being the eighth seed in the Western Conference, the Stars had one of the best home records and tonight will have a chance to jump on a 3-1 lead that will get them one step away from advancing in the next round.
Calgary has won 15 of the last 22 games when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game, 17 of the last 25 games played after a one day rest and the last 7 games played on Monday. The Stars have won 5 of the last 6 Conference Quarterfinals games, the last 4 games played after one day rest and 27 of the last 38 home games.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Calgary Flames (-156)
Tony Battalio
The Calgary Flames have been one of the best teams in the National Hockey League throughout the regular season. However, they currently find themselves down 1-2 in this series. They will be looking to bounce back in this one as they look to even the series before they head back home for Game 5. They have fought hard throughout this series and it would be a shame to see such a great team knocked out so easily and early during this postseason.
The Dallas Stars have a 2-1 lead at the moment heading into Game 4 of this series. They have a huge opportunity in this one as they can take a 3-1 lead over the Calgary Flames and potentially end this series in Game 5 in Calgary. As for the result of this one however, I am going with the Calgary Flames to even up the series in Game 4 as they head back home.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Calgary Flames (-156)
Jeffery Thomas
The Calgary Flames find themselves down 1-2 in their series with the Dallas Stars and in a must-win situation on the road on Monday. Calgary had one of the top offenses in the NHL all regular season but have only been able to muster up three goals in the first three games of this series, which is a big reason why they are down. The Stars are playing the perfect game plan for an underdog that is facing a high-powered offense and that is to slow the game down with great defense and goaltending. The plan is going exactly how they’d like so far and Stars’ goalie Jake Oettinger deserves a lot of praise for his play as he has turned away 93 of the 96 shots he has faced.
Since the start of February the Flames have only lost three consecutive games once, so it’s not really a trend I see starting now. I don’t expect them to be held to a one goal a game average throughout this whole series and now with them being down, they’ll be in desperation mode on offense. This is where things finally open up for them and I see them just simply outscoring a Dallas team that can’t hang offensively. Give me Calgary to get a much needed win in Game 4.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Calgary Flames (-156)
If you’re looking for more NHL news, information and predictions, head over to our NHL hub page for all your ice hockey needs!
*Odds and spreads correct at time of writing, courtesy of FanDuel.
