We have loved the action throughout this impressive NHL 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 two Round 2 games on today’s schedule!
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Florida Panthers – 7.00PM ET
The Tampa Bay Lightning will face off against the Florida Panthers for Game 2 of their Round 2 series. It was in fact the Lightning who got the win on the road in the first game to take the lead in this series, and they did it fairly comfortably as well, winning 4-1. The Panthers will need to hit back here, so they don’t fall 0-2 down in the series before it moves to Tampa Bay.
Marko Nadin
After dropping the opening game at home in the series against the Washington Capitals, the Florida Panthers did that again in the second round series against the defending champion and local rival, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Florida scored first in the opening period but it was all Lightning from that point on. It is not just the loss that worries Panthers’ coach Andrew Brunette but the way his team lost. The Panthers will have to bounce back tonight if they do not want to go 0-2 down which may be a point of no return against the Lightning.
Florida has won 46 of the last 55 games as a home favorite, 4 of the last 5 playoff games as favorites and 11 of the last 14 games against teams with a winning record of over 60%. The Tampa Bay Lightning have won 25 of the last 30 Conference Semifinals games, 12 of the last 15 playoff games as an underdog and 146 of the last 205 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Florida Panthers (-166)
Tony Battalio
The Tampa Bay Lightning got a huge win in Game 1 of this huge all sunshine state series. They are lucky to be here in my opinion, as they had a very hard time dealing with the Toronto Maple Leafs and they honestly should have lost that series. However, Toronto’s famous ability to choke in the playoffs came back to haunt them once again. Now the Lightning will turn their attention to Florida as their quest for a third straight Stanley Cup trophy continues. A win here in Game 2 would be massive for Tampa Bay as they would take a 2-0 lead heading home to Tampa Bay.
The Florida Panthers were the most dominant team in the National Hockey League throughout the 2021-22 regular season. They have home-ice advantage all throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs for as far as they go. They were especially dominant at home but they slipped up in Game 1 of this series, as they lost to Tampa Bay by a score of 1-4. As for the result of Game 2 however, I have the Panthers bouncing back to get themselves a much needed victory.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Florida Panthers (-166)
Jeffery Thomas
The Florida Panthers find themselves in a must-win situation already in this second round matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Panthers lost Game 1 at home by a score of 1-4 and will now have to win to avoid the same 0-2 hole they fell into in last year’s playoff series with the Lightning. However, this isn’t a new thing for Florida who has now gone seven straight playoff series without winning Game 1. A big adjustment and group that needs to step up will be the special teams unit who was thoroughly outplayed in the opener.
The Panthers went scoreless in 3 power plays while Tampa Bay scored on three of their six power play opportunities. The man advantage has been a problem all playoffs for Florida as they are now 0/21 on power plays. As far as this game goes though, I love the Bolts but I just can’t see the Cats losing back-to-back home playoff games. They have been so good at home all year and now find themselves with their backs against the wall early and I think they will respond pretty well and get this series back even.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Florida Panthers (-166)
St. Louis Blues @ Colorado Avalanche – 9.30PM ET
A thrilling Game 1 of this series between the St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche, but in the end it was the Avalanche that ended up getting the win 3-2, in overtime. The Blues will take a lot of confidence out of the first game, and will be looking to level the series up before they play in front of their home crowd.
Marko Nadin
The Colorado Avalanche had a tough time in the opening game against the St. Louis Blues but what is important for them is they took a 1-0 lead in the series after a 3-2 overtime win. The visitors took the lead in the opening period and after the Avalanche turned things around in the second, St. Louis was able to tie things up and send the game to overtime. Josh Manson scored the game-winner in the extra period for the Avalanche’s fifth consecutive win in the postseason. The Blues are a team that can defeat anybody on a good night but they missed their opportunity in the opening game of the series to do that and now the Avalanche will play even better and take a 2-0 lead tonight.
Colorado has won 55 of the last 66 home games as favorites, 44 of the last 53 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game and 43 of the last 55 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. St. Louis has won 22 of the last 28 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game, 9 of the last 12 road games and 16 of the last 22 games overall.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Colorado Avalanche (-235)
Tony Battalio
The St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche had a crazy Game 1that the Avalanche won in overtime. Now they will be looking to take a 2-0 lead before heading to St. Louis for Game 3 and 4 of this Western Conference Semifinals matchup. The Avalanche were one of the best teams in the National Hockey League after bouncing back from a slow start to kick off the 2021-22 season. They were the preseason favorites to win it all and in my opinion they are the current favorites now as well.
The St. Louis Blues were a consistent team all throughout the 2021-22 National Hockey League regular season. Now they will have to find a way to bounce back from a heartbreaking Game 1 loss in this second round series against their fellow Central Division rivals. They will be looking to steal a win on the road in this one before heading back home for two games. As for the result of this game however, I don’t think it will happen as I am going with the Colorado Avalanche to take a 2-0 lead in this series.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Colorado Avalanche (-235)
Jeffery Thomas
Game 1 went pretty much how it was expected to between the St. Louis Blues and the Colorado Avalanche. The Avs once again protected home-ice, this time with a 3-2 win in overtime to take the 1-0 lead. The score may be a little tighter than was expected but it’s not due to anything the Blues did defensively. Colorado had 54 shots on goal, hit the crossbar twice, and hit three posts in the game which was very unlucky. A few bounces go their way and it’s possible a 4-goal margin of victory, but a win is a win this time of year.
The Blues were thoroughly dominated in the overtime period, getting outshot 13-0 and now have lost eight straight playoff games to Colorado dating back to the 2001 Western Conference Finals. I do not see that streak ending on Thursday night in the Ball Arena as the Avs are just so much better and especially at home. This series is going to be at 2-0 when we get to St. Louis for Game 3.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Moneyline (3-way) – Colorado Avalanche (-145)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of writing, courtesy of FanDuel.
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