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 defending champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning, will do battle with the Florida Panthers for a spot in the Conference Finals. The Lightning got through to the second round by the skin of their teeth, winning the series with the Maple Leafs, 4-3. The Panthers didn’t just cruise through the first round like they were expected to, but they did get the job done in their series against the Capitals, 4-2.
Marko Nadin
The second round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs brings a duel between the best team in the league this season and the back-to-back champions. To make things even more fun, they are both from the same state. Florida finished the regular season with 122 points, the seventh most in NHL history but they had a tough opening round series, defeating the Washington Capitals in 4-2. The defending champions needed seven games to go past the Toronto Maple Leafs and they did that by winning two straight games with the decisive one on the road.
Tampa Bay has won 6 of the last 10 games against Florida. They have also won 24 of the last 29 Conference Semifinals games, 11 of the last 14 playoff games as an underdog and 7 of the last 10 games against teams with a winning record. The Panthers have won 7 of the last 8 games playing on 3 or more days rest, 11 of the last 13 games against teams with a winning record over 60% and 48 of the last 59 home games.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Florida Panthers (-156)
Tony Battalio
The Tampa Bay Lighting survived in the first round to continue their quest for their third straight Stanley Cup trophy. They went the full seven games against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now they will face off with the Florida Panthers who will have the home ice advantage as they were the top team in the Eastern Conference and the entire National Hockey League. They will have an incredibly hard road to make it back to the Stanley Cup Finals this season. But if they remain healthy, they are still a serious contender in my opinion.
The Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals had an incredible first round series. They ended up winning in overtime and now they will face off with the two time defending Stanley Cup champions and their in-state rival, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Florida holds the home ice advantage throughout the entirety of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. As for the result of this first game of the Conference Semifinals, I am going with the Florida Panthers to get the win.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Florida Panthers (-156)
Jeffery Thomas
The two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning survived a serious scare from the Toronto Maple Leafs in Round 1 and now will get this year’s Presidents Trophy winners in the second round. The Lightning never had a lead in that first round series but preserved through the adversity of falling behind 0-1, 1-2, and 2-3 to win in seven. The Florida Panthers also suffered a slight scare in round one, falling behind 1-2 with a road game coming up before rattling off three straight wins to win in 6.
It appeared Florida’s fast playing style wasn’t translating well to the postseason but they figured it out and now will really have to be on their A game to get past this extremely experienced Lightning squad. I think we will get their A game in this one as they try to avenge last year’s playoff loss to Tampa. This Florida team is much better and with the uncertainty surrounding the availability of Brayden Point of the Lightning, I’m going to have to take the Panthers at home at this reasonable price.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Florida Panthers (-156)
St. Louis Blues @ Colorado Avalanche – 9.30PM ET
The St. Louis Blues will travel to Colorado for their first game against the Avalanche in their second round series. The Blues got the job done against the Wild in Round 1, defeating them 4-2. The Avalanche have been resting up for a while now, as they managed to sweep the Predators, and they haven’t played in about a week.
Marko Nadin
The Colorado Avalanche are the top seed from the Western Conference and the only team that swept their opponent in the opening playoff round. The Avalanche did that against the Nashville Predators scoring over 4 goals per game. The St. Louis Blues were 1-2 down in the series against the Minnesota Wild and then went on to win three straight games scoring 5 goals in each of them to close out the series and advance to the second round of the Western Conference Playoffs.
Colorado has won 7 of the last 10 games against St. Louis. They have won the last 4 games playing on 3 or more days of rest, 54 of the last 65 home games, 9 of the last 11 games when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game and 69 of the last 92 games following a win. The Blues have won 9 of the last 10 games after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game, 9 of the last 11 road games and 6 of the last 8 games as underdogs.
Marko’s NHL Pick: Colorado Avalanche (-220)
Tony Battalio
The St. Louis Blues got rid of the Minnesota Wild in six games, now they will take on the best team in the Western Conference. St. Louis is a serious dark horse team to win the Stanley Cup this season. They will have to learn to win on the road in this series as they won’t have the home ice advantage. They finished the regular season with a record of 49-22-11 and they finished with a road record 23-12-6.
The Colorado Avalanche came into the season as the favorites to win the 2021-22 Stanley Cup. They now come into the playoffs the same way, as they are still the favorites to win it all. They won the Central Division and finished the regular season with a record of 56-19-7. As for the result of this game, I am going with the Colorado Avalanche to pick up the win in Game 1 over their Central Division rivals.
Tony’s NHL Pick: Colorado Avalanche (-220)
Jeffery Thomas
The St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche will meet up in a rematch of last year’s first round matchup. Colorado got the sweep in that one, outscoring the Blues 20-7 in the series. The Avs are 5-0 straight up in home playoff games against the Blues and will be hoping to keep that up in this Game 1.
With the Blues coming off their first playoff series win since hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2019, I’m expecting a little more resistance in this year’s matchup. However, that resistance may be winning a game or two instead of a clean sweep. I see this one going to the Avs, who should come out firing on all cylinders as the home team and more rested one.
Jeffery’s NHL Pick: Colorado Avalanche -1.5 (+108)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of writing, courtesy of FanDuel.
