The 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are in full swing! With just the 2 games on the agenda today, we have had plenty of time this morning to research the fixtures in depth and bring you the absolute best predictions. Have a read below for all our NHL picks.
Montreal Canadiens @ Winnipeg Jets (Round 2 – Game 2) – 7.30 PM EDT
After wrapping up a gruelling 7 game series against the Maple Leafs, which saw them come back from a 3-1 series deficit to win 4-3, nobody expected much from the Canadiens in game 1 against the well rested Jets.
However, the Habs surprised us all, not only winning the game, but putting on one of their best performances of the postseason, beating the Winnipeg side 5-3 away from home.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi picked up his team leading 4th goal of the playoffs, while Eric Staal impressed again with a goal and an assist. At the other end of the ice Carey Price put up another solid stint in net, making a number of crucial saves to keep the Habs ahead, finishing the match with 27 saves.
🔘⚪⚪⚪#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/XqdC0Kz3Xv
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) June 3, 2021
The Habs were holding a 4-2 lead until late in the third, when Kyle Connor buried an opportunity to reduce the deficit to a goal.
The Jets pushed for the equalising goal, allowing Jake Evans to hit them on the breakaway and score an empty netter, after putting the game to bed Mark Scheifele arrived late with a disgusting hit which launched Evans’ head into the ice, resulting in him being stretchered off.
For the reckless hit Scheifele was handed a 4 game suspension, which could see his postseason over. Scheifele finished the regular season with 63 points, and was tied for first in the postseason with 5.
After beating a well rested Jets’ outfit in the fashion they did in game 1, we are liking the look of the Canadiens at +100 to win again today now that the home side are without the services of their best player.
NHL Pick – Montreal Canadiens (+100)
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Colorado Avalanche @ Vegas Golden Knights (Round 2 – Game 3) – 10.00 PM EDT
The Avalanche continued their flawless postseason record with a tight 3-2 overtime win over the Golden Knights, securing a 2 game lead in their Round 2 series as they prepare to head to Vegas for games’ 3 and 4.
The match played out a lot differently to the 7-1 blowout we saw in game 1, with the Knights proving much more of a problem when both teams are playing with the same amount of time between games.
Most of the action in regulation time played out in the opening term, with Brandon Saad opening the scoring for the Avs with his 5th goal of the postseason before Alec Martinez cancelled it out with a power play goal.
OH baby, another home win and it felt so good!
Just a day in the life of your Colorado Avalanche!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/0CRUJHwx7o
— p – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) June 4, 2021
The Avalanche closed the period out with a power play goal of their own, this time through Tyson Jost, but 10 minutes through the second term the Golden Knights once again levelled things up when Reilly Smith buried an effort assisted by Shea Theodore.
The match went to overtime at 2-2, and in a rare occurrence, none of the Avalanche top scorers were amongst the points, however, it took just 2 minutes for Mikko Rantanen to bury the decisive goal from distance, assisted by Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar.
It was a considerably fortunate win for the Avs, which were heavily outshot by the Knights, and dominated in the faceoff battle, calling for another stellar performance from Phillipp Grubauer, who made a playoff high, 39 saves to help the Avs reach overtime.
NHL Pick – Colorado Avalanche (-126)
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The 2021 NHL postseason is well underway now! If you want to catch up with all the latest information, make sure you visit our NHL hub page.
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
