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 two Round 1 games on today’s schedule!
Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers – 7.00PM ET
Things are all leveled up at 3-3 in this series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers, and that means we are heading into the winner take all Game 7. The Rangers will have all the momentum coming into this game, as they won Game 5 and 6, as well as having the home ice advantage in this final game of the series.
Marko Nadin
The New York Rangers did a great job winning Game 6 on the road and staying alive in this series. Now they have a chance with a home win to advance to the second round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. After a rough start of the series and being 1-3 down, the Rangers went on to win twice by 5-3 and now are in the driver’s seat in the series. The Penguins still look like the better team and they will definitely stand a chance in MSG on Sunday. They are the better scoring team and as it usually does, one goal makes all the difference in games like this.
The Rangers have won 11 of the last 14 games played on Sunday, 38 of the last 52 games as favorites and 8 of the last 11 games played after one day of rest. The Penguins have won 8 of the last 10 games after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game, 46 of the last 68 games played on Sunday and have lost 9 of the last 12 games played after one day of rest.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins (+122)
Tony Battalio
The New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins are one of two Game 7’s on Sunday and one of five overall in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Pittsburgh Penguins had all the momentum in this series heading into Game 5 and then they blew a couple leads and now find themselves with their backs against the wall heading into this one. It has been a great season for both of these Metropolitan Division teams as not many people had them pegged as playoff teams.
The Rangers are holding onto all the momentum in this one as the Penguins are now looking to bounce back from blowing a 3-1 lead as the winner will meet the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. This series has the potential to go either way but with the Rangers holding the momentum, I think they will be the ones who end up winning it and advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Tony’s NHL Pick: New York Rangers (-146)
Jeffery Thomas
The New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins are set to face off in a Game 7 on Sunday after two failed attempts by the Penguins to wrap up the series. To make matters worse, Pittsburgh is looking to be without Sidney Crosby in this must-win situation in a hostile environment at Madison Square Garden. Without Crosby, the Pens offense possesses the puck far less and is just generally less dangerous overall. Goalie Louis Domingue is also starting to become a big problem, as he’s now had a save percentage below .900 in four of his five starts.
He didn’t look confident at all in Game 6 and now with Igor Shesterkin of the Rangers starting to look a bit like his old self, Pittsburgh has a significant goalie disadvantage in this one. I still don’t have complete confidence in Igor though, as he’s never been on this stage before and with goalie questions for both sides I see this game being another high-scoring affair. The over has hit in every game so far so let’s keep going back to the well and cash in this one last time.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Over 6.5 (+102)
Dallas Stars @ Calgary Flames – 9.30PM ET
The Dallas Stars did what they needed to do in Game 6 and that was to beat the Calgary Flames in order to force a Game 7, which will take place in Calgary. The Flames won Game 1, 4 and 5, while the Stars were victorious in Game 2, 3 and 6.
Marko Nadin
The Calgary Flames came into this series as huge favorites, but they have to play a decisive Game 7 hoping to advance to the second round of the Western Conference. The Flames were one of the best defensive teams in the regular season and showed that in a couple of games but the Stars managed to score 4 goals in a couple of games and steal one on the road.
Calgary is by far the better team but it has come to a do-or-die game and no one can take Dallas’ chance away. It will be a high pressure game but the Flames will start strong, take control and win at the end. Calgary has won 11 of the last 13 games as home favorites and 9 of the last 13 games after allowing 4 or more goals in the previous games. Dallas has won 7 of the last 11 games following a win but has lost 9 of the last 13 games after allowing no more than two goals in the previous one.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Calgary Flames (-215)
Tony Battalio
The Dallas Stars have been a thorn in the sides of the Calgary Flames as many people expected Calgary to wrap this series up by at least Game 5. However, it has all come down to a winner take all Game 7 between these two Western Conference teams as the winner will meet the winner of the series between the Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers, which has also gone seven games. Regardless of who wins this series and the other series, it will certainly be an interesting second round series.
The Calgary Flames seemingly came out of nowhere to win the Pacific Division and get into the Stanley Cup playoffs. However, that momentum hasn’t quite carried over into the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs yet. They will look to get into the second round and meet the Oilers or Kings as it will be a matchup between fellow Pacific Division teams. As for the result of this one, I am going with the Flames to get the win as I think the home ice advantage will help put them over the top.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Calgary Flames (-215)
Jeffery Thomas
The pressure is on the Calgary Flames to back up their impressive regular season with a postseason series win and Sunday provides them a great opportunity to do just that. The Flames won the Pacific Division title and finished 13 points ahead of the Dallas Stars so the fact this series is going the distance is a testament to the fight of Dallas. Calgary was one of the best overall teams all season, while the Stars are the only playoff team that allowed more goals than they scored during the season. Game 6 went to Dallas at home as they kept their season alive with a 4-2 win.
The Flames have only reached the second round twice in their last eight playoff appearances and this was seen as one of their best opportunities to get a third series win so losing this one will lead to a lot of criticism. However, I don’t think we’ll get to that place as they will take care of business at home and show that they are the better team. Dallas has played a great game plan and are doing well with a less-talented roster but this is where the home-ice advantage and having more talented players pays off for Calgary.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Calgary Flames (-215)
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.
