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 – 12.30PM ET
We kick things off in the NHL with a nice afternoon game that will see the Carolina Hurricanes face off against the Boston Bruins. The Hurricanes won the first two games of this series, by a combined score of 10-3. But in Game 3, it was the Bruins that got their first win in this series, beating the Hurricanes 4-2.
Marko Nadin
The Boston Bruins managed to bounce back in Game 3 with a 4-2 win after being dominated in the first two games played in Carolina. The Hurricanes took the lead again in Game 3 which looked like it would be another comfortable win for the Eastern Conference second seed but the Bruins went on to score four unanswered goals to cut the series deficit to 1-2. Now Boston has a chance to tie things and return to Carolina with much more confidence than what they had at the beginning of the series.
The Carolina Hurricanes are still the favorite in the series. They are the best defensive team in the league allowing 2.5 goals per game and they will definitely learn their lesson from Game 3 and have a better performance on Sunday. The Game 3 loss was the first one in the last 9 games for the Hurricanes and there are slim chances they will lose two in a row. The Hurricanes have won 4 of the last 5 road games and 36 of the last 52 games played after one day of rest.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Carolina Hurricanes (+105)
Tony Battalio
The Carolina Hurricanes come into this game with a 2-1 lead over the Boston Bruins. The Metropolitan Division champions will look to take a 3-1 lead over Boston heading back to Carolina for Game 5. Carolina has been one of the best teams in the entire National Hockey League all season long and they have been flexing their muscles throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs thus far. They currently hold a goal differential of +6 as the total goals in this series so far equal out to 12 for the Hurricanes and 6 for the Bruins.
The Boston Bruins are coming into this one after grabbing their first win of the series at home in Game 3. Now they will be looking to grab some more momentum in Game 4 and take the series back to Carolina tied at two games a piece. Boston had a decent and constant regular season as they got in as a Wild Card team out of the Atlantic Division. If they remain healthy and can manage to put the puck in the net, then they have a shot to be in the Stanley Cup picture. As for the result of this one however, I’m going with the Carolina Hurricanes to get the win.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Carolina Hurricanes (+105)
Jeffery Thomas
The Boston Bruins got a huge surge from their home crowd in Game 3 and it helped them cruise to their first victory over the Carolina Hurricanes this season. Jeremy Swayman had 25 saves and joined franchise history in the win, becoming the third Boston Bruins goalie to win his first ever home playoff start. The goalie change brought a much needed jolt to the entire defense, which blocked 29 shots and went a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill.
Now the Canes are facing their first bit of adversity in these playoffs and will try to win in Boston for just the fourth time in their last 14 trips. I think this series will be dominated by the home teams, as both have such hostile environments. The Bruins have all the confidence and momentum now after getting that first win and I think they’ll carry that right over into Game 4.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Boston Bruins (-126)
Minnesota Wild @ St. Louis Blues – 4.30PM ET
It’s Game 4 of the series between the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues. After the Blues took Game 1, 4-0, it has been all Wild, as they won the next two games, by a combined score of 11-3. The Blues really need to get a win here at home, to ensure the series is leveled up a 2-2 before the series moves back to Minnesota.
Marko Nadin
The Minnesota Wild came into the series against the St. Louis Blues as the second seed in the Western Conference but were not considered favorites simply because the Blues were much better in head-to-head series. The opening game of the series was all Blues but then the Wild bounced back with two consecutive wins of 4 goals differential. Minnesota had an impressive performance in Game 2, winning by 5-1 and now the pressure is on the Blues. Kiril Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson both had a goal and assists for the Wild.
Minnesota has won 7 of the last 8 games after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game, 47 of the last 60 games when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game and the last 4 Sunday games. The St. Louis Blues have won 21 of the last 27 games when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game, 8 of the last 11 games following a loss of 3 or more goals and 6 of the last 8 at home.
Marko’s NHL Pick: St. Louis Blues (-108)
Tony Battalio
After game one it looked like the St. Louis Blues would have no problem in this series but in Games 2 and 3 it has been the complete opposite as the Minnesota Wild have taken a commanding 2-1 lead. The games haven’t been close either as the Minnesota Wild have been scoring at will it seems as they have out scored the Blues 11-3. With the series heading back to Minnesota after this fourth game it is important that the Blues can tie up the series before Game 5, otherwise they will be pinned against the wall and on the brink of elimination.
The Minnesota Wild were one of the most consistent teams throughout the 2021-22 National Hockey League regular season. They finished the regular season with a record of 53-22-7 and in the top three of the Central Division. They will be looking to take a 3-1 lead as this series heads home to Minnesota for Game 5. As for the result of this one, that is exactly what I expect as all the momentum is shifted towards the Wild at the moment.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Minnesota Wild (-111)
Jeffery Thomas
The Minnesota Wild come into Game 4 on the road with a 2-1 series lead after being down 0-1, and have hopes of putting this series even more out of reach on Sunday. The last two games for the Wild have been dominant, winning by a combined score of 11-3. Now with St. Louis missing three of their top six defenseman, it’s a great opportunity for the road Wild to come in and put up yet another huge offensive output. The Blues also face a decision at goalie, as they continued with Ville Husso after his shutout victory in Game 1, but now some doubt may be creeping in after 11 goals were scored in the last two games.
With Stanley Cup Winner Jordan Binnington as the backup, it would make sense for the Blues to at least think about making the change in net. The Game 3 win on the road for the Wild was their first in St. Louis since head coach Craig Berube took over in 2018 (0-4-3). Now that they have jumped that hurdle and have their offense clicking on all cylinders, Game 4 should be another great one for them to terrorize this inured back line of St. Louis.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Minnesota Wild (-111)
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Tampa Bay Lightning – 7.00PM ET
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning will go toe-to-toe for Game 4 of their first round series. It is the Maple Leafs that currently have the 2-1 advantage, as they won Game 1 and 3. The Lightning won Game 2, and will be looking for another win here to level the series before it switches back to Toronto.
Marko Nadin
The Tampa Bay Lightning stole one game on the road at Toronto but lost Game 3 by 1-5 and now will have to win tonight in order to avoid going back to Canada with a 1-3 deficit. The Lightning are hoping to become the first team in almost 30 years to win three consecutive Stanley Cups and a lot will depend on their performance tonight. They dominated Game 2 scoring twice in the opening ten minutes and then controlling the game by the very end.
Tampa Bay has won 4 of the last 5 games when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game, 20 of the last 26 games following a home loss of 3 or more goals and 41 of the last 59 games when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Toronto has won 41 of the last 58 games after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game, 11 of the last 16 games when their opponent allowed 5 goals or more in their previous game and 60 of the last 98 games after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning (-122)
Tony Battalio
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning are playing perhaps the most important series in the first round as the headlines are all about Tampa Bay’s quest for their third straight Stanley Cup championship. Right now it is the Maple Leafs who have the two time defending Stanley Cup champions against the ropes as they currently hold a 2-1 lead. They will be looking to make it 3-1 and set up an opportunity to get the win at home in Game 5.
The Tampa Bay Lightning will be looking to bounce back in Gam3 4 before they head back up the great white north for Game 5 of the series. The competition is tougher than it has been in the past two years, and the wear and tear of long playoff runs may finally be catching up to them. They can’t afford to go down 1-3, especially with the series heading back to Toronto. As for the result of this one however, that is exactly what I expect as I have the Toronto Maple Leafs getting the win.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs (+102)
Jeffery Thomas
The Toronto Maple Leafs are halfway home to winning their first playoff series since 2004 after beating the Lightning 5-2 on Friday night to take a 2-1 series lead. The fast start was the key to victory in Game 3, as the Leafs jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first ten minutes of the game and were up 3-0 early in the second period. By the beginning of the third period, Tampa Bay had cut the lead to one but Jack Campbell just would not allow that equalizer. Campbell made 32 saves in the game, earning first star of Game 3 and now with the series winding down, Toronto will hope their main star will get in on the action.
Auston Mathews has not scored since Game 1 and despite the series lead I just do not see a way they can wiggle out of this series without getting production from their main guy. The Lightning have been incredible the last three postseasons following a loss, going 16-0 including their 5-3 win in Game 2 of this series. They had plenty of high danger scoring opportunities in Game 3 but just ran into a red-hot Jack Campbell and now I think they’ll cash in on those opportunities in this must-win situation. Give me the defending champs to once again show their resiliency in a tough spot and even this series up at 2 a piece.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning (-122)
Edmonton Oilers @ Los Angeles Kings – 10.00PM ET
The final game of the day will see the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings clash in their Round 1 series. It is the Oilers who currently hold the 2-1 lead in the series, after winning Game 2 and 3. The Kings have been thrashed in the second and third game of the series, being outscored 2-14 in just two games.
Marko Nadin
The Edmonton Oilers took a 2-1 series lead after an amazing performance in Game 3 winning 8-2 in Los Angeles. All of their lineup played great and the Oilers went on to score five unanswered goals in the first period of the game and the winner of the game was decided by that point. Edmonton has won 7 of the last 9 games against the Kings and the home team simply needs to win this one in order to keep their chances for advancing into the second round.
Los Angeles has won 8 of the last 10 games following a home loss of 3 or more goals, 17 of the last 25 games after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game but has lost 8 of the last 9 Conference Quarterfinals games. Edmonton has won the last 7 games when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game, 11 of the last 13 games when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game and 26 of the last 35 games after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Edmonton Oilers (-152)
Tony Battalio
The Edmonton Oilers are in a great position to win the Stanley Cup this season in my opinion. They currently have a 2-1 lead over the Los Angeles Kings after winning Game 2 and 3. As long as Connor McDavid and his supporting cast can remain healthy, then this team is a serious Stanley Cup contender. They have outscored the Kings in the last two games by a combined 14-2. They will be looking to grab a 3-1 lead as they would like to head back to Edmonton with a chance to wrap up the series.
The Los Angeles Kings are coming into this game needing a win in Game 4 of this series as they will look to head back to Canada with the series tied at two games a piece. They have been a dark horse team for me all season long as they snuck their way into the playoffs at the end of the season. As for the result of this one however, I think the Cinderella run is getting ready to end as I’m going with the Edmonton Oilers to pick up the victory over the Los Angeles Kings.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Edmonton Oilers (-152)
Jeffery Thomas
The Edmonton Oilers now have their eyes extending this series out to a 3-1 lead after getting a huge 8-2 win on Friday in Game 3. That marks two straight 6-goal wins for the Oilers who are just loving this matchup against the Kings. Not only is the offense clicking but 45-year old veteran goalie Mike Smith is also playing out of his mind. He turned away 44 shots in Game 3 and had 30 saves in the shutout win in Game 2. The Kings have no answer for the electric duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and the penalty kill has been gashed, giving up five goals in the series.
The Oilers have now won five of their last six against the Kings and seeing how lopsided these games have been, I don’t see a way things turn around. Edmonton is 8-2 in their last 10 games as a road favorite, while the Kings are just 1-5 in their last six playoff games as an underdog. The trends will continue to stay true on Sunday as the Oilers once again dominate and put the series even more out of reach.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Edmonton Oilers (-152)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of writing, courtesy of FanDuel.
