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NHL Playoffs Best Bets, Picks & Predictions: Monday (4/24)

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All three of these series are at 2-1. In that situation, this is always a swing game where one team has the opportunity to feel better about the outcome, or it can become a brand-new series.

Monday's Best NHL Bets

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Toronto Maple Leafs (-115) at Tampa Bay Lightning (-104) | O/U 6.5 (-104/-118)

This series took a massive turn in Game 3. We were ready to pull out the Maple Leafs’ playoff history argument after their 7-3 loss in Game 1, but they have won back-to-back games and including on the road in overtime.

The Lighting was better at pushing the puck through the neutral zone, gaining offensive possessions, and being able to find open shots, but the Leafs' defense was tough in their crease by not allowing second chances and playing physically on the boards.

Tensions grew late, with a few guys dropping the gloves. Even stars Steven Stamkos and Auston Matthews went at it. That bad blood will undoubtedly spill over in the next game, which will get much more physical and won't feature as much offense.

Pick: Under 6.5 (-118)

Colorado Avalanche (-152) at Seattle Kraken (+126) | O/U 6.5 (+112/-140)

Colorado did not allow that Game 1 loss to affect them as they've won back-to-back to take a 2-1 series lead.

We were waiting for when the Avalanche would fall and crush the Kraken.

Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen were held to a combined two points in the first two games, but they went off with each having a pair of goals, and Rantanen added an assist in the 6-4 win.

The Avs jumped out to an early 3-1 lead, but Seattle would come back to tie in the second period. In the third, the Colorado star forwards would breakthrough with McKinnon grabbing his second goal and Rantanen breaking this game open with a pair of his own.

We also saw the blue line play well on both sides of the ice. Devon Toews and Bowen Byram had four points, and Cale Makar had three.

That will be tough for Seattle to combat when Colorado has each line of forwards and defensive pairings play well on offense.

Pick: Avalanche 60 Min Moneyline (+100)

New Jersey Devils (+125) at New York Rangers (-150) | O/U 6.5 (-118/-104)

The Devils had to fight for a 2-1 victory and prevent the dreaded 3-0 series deficit.

This wasn't an easy game for New Jersey as the Rangers' forward unit was able to attack the crease, out-shoot, and defensively take away the Devils’ ability to crash the net.

Keeping Chris Kreider from lighting the lamp has been impossible, and he scored his fifth goal in this series. This excellent set of forwards push the puck, and when you add a defenseman like Adam Fox, who plays well on both sides, that makes it hard to contain them for multiple games.

The New Jersey stars finally came through, with Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton scoring and Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier having assists. This needs to be the catalyst for them to contribute, but seeing how well the Rangers have played defensively, I do not believe that will happen.

Pick: Rangers 60 Min Moneyline (+105)

Check out our other best bets for Monday:

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