We have loved the action throughout this impressive NHL regular season and first round of the playoffs, but now we are entering the second round, with a spot in the Conference Finals up for grabs. We are sure to see the cracking playoffs continue in Round 2, and with the Lightning still alive, many high quality teams will be looking to stop them 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 second round.
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Look below to find our free NHL picks for the three Round 2 games on today’s schedule!
Florida Panthers @ Tampa Bay Lightning – 1.30PM ET
A nice afternoon game to kick off playoff action on Sunday in the NHL. This series between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning moves to Tampa Bay for the first time in Game 3, but it is in fact the Lightning that are the team leading the series, 2-0. The Panthers really need to get a win here, or at least in Game 4, otherwise they will be exiting the playoffs prematurely.
Marko Nadin
The Florida Panthers have found themselves in a 0-2 hole after the first two games of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning. The Panthers were the best scoring team in the league in the regular season with more than 4 scored goals per game but were able to score only a goal in each of the first two games of the series against the Lightning. Knowing how good this Florida team has been all season long, it is hard to count them out even though they are in a large deficit going to Tampa, but Game 3 is do-or-die for them.
Florida has won 11 of the last 14 games played after two days of rest, 19 of the last 26 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game and 40 of the last 57 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. Tampa Bay has won 88 of the last 112 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game, 147 of their last 206 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game and 26 of their last 31 Conference Semifinals games.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Florida Panthers (-114)
Tony Battalio
The Florida Panthers have their backs against the wall in this one as they travel to Tampa Bay down 0-2. However, this is a position they are familiar with as they went into last year’s Game 3 down 0-2 as well. They won Game 3 last season but it would be tough to see them doing the same this season, as they have looked incredibly disappointing throughout the first two games of this Eastern Conference Semifinals series. They will need to respond in a big way if they want to avoid going down 0-3.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are looking like they are easily going to make their way back to the Eastern Conference Finals. As they are only two wins away from getting back there and if they keep playing the way they have in Game 1 and 2, they should end up sweeping this series. As for the result of this game, I am going with the Florida Panthers to grab the win in Game 3.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Florida Panthers (-114)
Jeffery Thomas
The Florida Panthers will travel to Tampa Bay for Game 3 against the Lightning and find themselves in the exact same position as last year’s playoff series. The Lightning took Game 1 and 2 on the road in Florida’s arena and then the Panthers responded by winning Game 3 on the road. Anything other than a repeat of that scenario would be fatal to the Cat’s season as a 3-0 lead is just something you would not expect the two-time defending champions to blow. A big reason for the struggles for Florida so far in the postseason is their huge dip in offensive production.
In the regular season they led the NHL in goals per game with 4.11 but now in the playoffs the Cats rank 12th out of 16 teams with just 2.75 gpg, including just two in 2 games this series. The special teams has also been a problem as the Panthers are now 0-25 on the power play, with a penalty kill that has been brutal at 66.7%. When a defending Stanley Cup champion gets up 2-0 in a series, 68 out of 71 of those have ended in them winning said series and I don’t think we will see anything different here. The Lightning smell blood in the water and do not want to give the Panthers any hope of getting back into this series, so bank on them to take a commanding 3-0 lead at home on Sunday.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning (-105)
Carolina Hurricanes @ New York Rangers – 3.30PM ET
It’s Game 3 of the series between the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers, and it couldn’t come sooner for the Rangers, who will finally play in front of their home crowd. The Rangers really need to get the win here, as they are 0-2 down, after two close games with the Hurricanes.
Marko Nadin
The New York Rangers proved that they are a tough team after coming back from a 1-3 deficit in the series against Pittsburgh, but they have been pretty powerless in the opening games of the series against the Hurricanes. Carolina has taken a 2-0 lead after allowing only 1 goal in those two games. The Rangers were also good defensively holding the Hurricanes to 2 goals per game but in Carolina’s case, that was enough to win. The Rangers will go all in today at the MSG but the Hurricanes are simply a much better team and will probably win today to get only one game away from the Conference Finals.
Carolina has won 17 of their last 21 Conference Semifinals games, 7 of the last 9 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game and 5 of the last 7 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. The Rangers have won 23 of the last 32 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game, 6 of the last 8 games as a home underdog and have lost 5 of the last 7 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Carolina Hurricanes (-114)
Tony Battalio
The Carolina Hurricanes are coming into Game 3 of this series with a 2-0 lead. They are looking to grab a win in Madison Square Garden and continue their quest to sweep this series 4-0 and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. They were one of the best teams in the entire National Hockey League throughout the regular season and it has certainly carried over into the Stanley Cup Playoffs as well.
The New York Rangers had an incredible comeback in their first round series with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Now it looks like they will have to do it again in their second round series as they come into this one down 0-2. They will have two straight games at home and they will need to win both of them in my opinion. As for the result of this one however, I don’t see it happening as I am taking the Carolina Hurricanes to get the win and go up 3-0 in this series.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Carolina Hurricanes (-114)
Jeffery Thomas
The New York Rangers return home in a must-win scenario following a couple close losses on the road in Game 1 and 2. The Rangers have not been able to solve this Carolina Hurricanes defense so far, with just one goal on 48 shots through two games. The Canes have only scored seven goals themselves in their last three games, dating back to last round against Boston, but all three games have resulted in wins. Admittedly, it’s been a pretty even series so far with the bounces going the way of Carolina and we know those things can swing from game to game.
That’s why I’m not confident in either side in this one but I know one thing is for sure, we are most likely in for another low-scoring contest. The Canes have not won a road game in these playoffs so far, so if you want to take a look at the Rangers at plus money, I don’t blame you but through two games we have seen a total of five goals and the total for this game alone is 5.5. Give me the under all day as both teams have been lights out defensively, backed up with elite goaltending.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Under 5.5 (-134)
Calgary Flames @ Edmonton Oilers – 8.00PM ET
After a high scoring first game of this series between the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers, it was another fairly high scoring affair in Game 2, with the Oilers winning 5-3. That win by the Oilers in Game 2 has leveled up the series with the Flames, at 1-1.
Marko Nadin
The Battle of Alberta is on pace to be the most interesting playoff series this season as the teams are tied at 1 games apiece after the first two games in Calgary. The Flames won 9-6 in the opening game and then the Oilers responded with a 5-3 win scoring two goals in the final period to tie the series up. Now the series is moving to Edmonton where the Oilers are favorites and they are a good enough team to take full advantage of it. Even though the Oilers finished the season as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, it seems like they have all they need to go to the very end this season.
Edmonton has won 8 of the last 9 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game, 9 of the last 11 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game and 12 of the last 17 games following a win. Calgary has won 7 of the last 9 after allowing 5 goals or more in their previous game, 20 of the last 29 games playing on 1 day rest and 4 of the last 5 games as favorites.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Edmonton Oilers (-102)
Tony Battalio
The Battle of Alberta is going to be a great one as it is guaranteed to go at least five games after the Edmonton Oilers got the win in Game 2 over the Calgary Flames. This is a series that I can easily see going to the full seven game limit as both of these teams are serious contenders to bring home the Stanley Cup trophy this season. Now they will head back to Edmonton for Game 3 and 4 as the Oilers will look to defend their home ice and come back to Calgary with a 3-1 lead.
The Calgary Flames are looking to return the favor in Game 3 and grab a win in their rivals’ building after they failed to defend their home ice in Game 2. They have the home ice advantage in this series and that will likely play a huge part in the outcome of this series in Game 5 and potentially game 7 as well. As for the result of Game 3, I am going with the Calgary Flames to grab the win and take a 2-1 lead in this series.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Calgary Flames (-118)
Jeffery Thomas
The Edmonton Oilers got a big road victory in Game 2 over the Calgary Flames to tie up the series at one a piece. The Oilers are now coming home for Game 3 and 4 with a real opportunity to seize control of this series. Calgary has to be feeling like they let the series slip away after having multi-goal leads in both games so far. It did not cost them in Game 1 but in Game 2 they played with fire again and got burned. They were up 3-1 in the second period before Edmonton scored four unanswered goals to end the game.
Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom just does not like this matchup for some reason as he has a 4.24 GAA and 8.68 save percentage against the Oilers. Meanwhile, against the rest of the league, he sports a 2.07 GAA and 9.27 save percentage. I think the Flames are the better team though and it shows with the leads they’ve been able to build up in both games. Now on the road they’ll have to bring that same intensity and I’m sure they are angry for letting Game 2 get away from them so I’m expecting a clean performance and fast start. That will carry them to a big victory here and give them back the home-ice advantage.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Calgary Flames (-118)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of writing, courtesy of FanDuel.
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