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.
New York Islanders @ Boston Bruins (Round 2 – Game 5) – 6.30 PM EDT
The spicy series between the Islanders and the Bruins took another turn after the Islanders’ convincing 4-1 win in game 4. Now tied up at 2 games each, this series has seen both sides win a match in overtime, and win another by a 3 goal margin, making it all the more interesting as we head to game 5 in Boston.
While the scoreline was blown out on Saturday, the match played out quite differently to how it would suggest, with the score locked up at 1-1 until late in the final term. The Bruins were the first to strike thanks to a David Krejci effort with the man advantage, only for it to be ruled out shortly after via Kyle Palmieri’s 5th goal of the postseason.
Good morning, #Isles fam! pic.twitter.com/PnltOPqhlB
— x – New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) June 6, 2021
Midway through the closing term it didn’t look like we would see either goalie beaten again, but a deflection saw the puck land right at the feet of Mathew Barzal, who was ready and waiting to strike and claim the lead.
The Bruins pushed for the equaliser but had no luck, allowing Casey Cizikas and Jean-Gabriel Pageau to capitalise, putting the puck into an empty net to blow the scoreline out to 4-1.
Given the back and forth nature of this series so far, one would expect that it is the Bruins who claim the win today, and back in front of the fans we think they should be able to do enough to edge out the Islanders, but expect it to be another tooth and nail effort.
NHL Pick – Boston Bruins (-190)
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Winnipeg Jets @ Montreal Canadiens (Round 2 – Game 4) – 8.00 PM EDT
The madness continued in Winnipeg yesterday as the Canadiens defeated the Jets for a third straight game, claiming a 3-0 lead on the series, which they will now play to win today.
It was the 6th straight postseason win for the Habs, which have been unstoppable since finding themselves on the verge of a playoff exit against the Maple Leafs in Round 1. Not only did the Habs win, but they did so by their biggest margin of their postseason, putting 5 past the helpless Jets while conceding just 1 at the other end.
Arturri Lehkonen bagged his first goal of the 2020/21, and both Corey Perry and Nick Suzuki were also amongst the goals, marking their 3rd and 4th point of the playoffs respectively. However, only Joel Armia picked up more than a single point in the victory, burying 2 goals, both from a short handed position, and assisting Perry with his opener.
🥳#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/Ah0Di5ZKL6
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) June 7, 2021
While the Canadiens were responsible for the bulk of the offense, the Jets still sent 27 shots their way, with Carey Price making 26 saves for yet another stellar performance.
The Jets were once again left wondering where it all went wrong, it is hard to believe that the same team which so emphatically swept the Oilers in Round 1 are now on the brink of being swept by the Canadiens in Round 2.
After the performance they put on yesterday it is hard not to back the Habs again today, closing out the series is notoriously difficult, but with the fans on their side we like them to get it done.
NHL Pick – Montreal Canadiens (TBD)
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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.
