NHL Playoffs Odds & Picks: Sunday (4/28)
It is one of the more exciting times of the year: the Stanley Cup playoffs. What makes the NHL have such a special playoff run is that sometimes, the best team doesn't always win. Let’s look at the best bets for tonight.
Sunday's NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Winnipeg Jets (+140) at Colorado Avalanche (-166) | O/U 6.5 (-120/+100)
There has been nothing wrong with the Avalanche's offense, as they've scored 19 goals in this series. The problem with Colorado has always been that while they have a ton of talent on the top lines, they lack depth. That hasn't been the case because while Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen are getting their points, they have 12 players with multiple points.
The Jets getting seven goals in Game 1 was a shocker, and if they could have continued that through this series, they would have made it interesting. That isn't happening, and the biggest shocker is Connor Hellebuyck's 5.05 goals allowed and .871 save percentage.
The Over has been rolling through this series, and that should continue.
Pick: Over 6.5 Total Goals (-120)
New York Rangers (-192) at Washington Capitals (+160) | O/U 5.5 (-105/-115)
The Rangers came into the playoffs as the Presidents' Trophy winner, and they are playing like it. The offense hasn't been great, either at full strength or on the Power Play, but the defense has been with 1.87 goals expected against per 60, especially on the Penalty Kill, allowing just two goals out of 15 opportunities.
The Capitals essentially backed into the playoffs as the teams around them in standings struggled, so we predicted it was going to be a tough series. The offense struggled for most of the season finishing 28th in goals scored, and while they had a bit of an offensive spark after the All-Star break, they regressed down the stretch.
Expect the Rangers to close this series out tonight.
Pick: Rangers 60-Minute Moneyline (-115)
Edmonton Oilers (-148) at Los Angeles Kings (+124) | O/U 6.5 (-105/-115)
Besides Game 2, the Oilers have controlled this series. They lead the entire playoffs with a 68.03% expected goal share, goals scored, and high-danger shots. They haven't needed their depth because their top players are taking care of everything; Connor McDavid has nine points, Leon Draisaitl has seven points, and Zach Hyman has six goals, including a hat trick.
The Kings were supposed to have one of the toughest defenses in the league, but they haven't been able to contend with the speed of the Oilers’ offense. The blue line that allowed the sixth-fewest high-danger shots in the regular season is allowing the most in the playoffs. The question is, how much longer can they stick with Cam Talbot?
The Oilers’ offense has been on point over the last two postseasons against the Kings, and the Over has hit six straight. Continue to ride that streak.
Pick: Over 6.5 Total Goals (-105)