The Stanley Cup Playoffs churn ahead tonight, and we have another pair of second-round games on the docket. The Rangers (1-0) will look to win their second straight home game against the Hurricanes (0-1), while the Avalanche (0-0) open up their series with the Stars (0-0).
Below, I'll dive into each game from a betting perspective and let you know where I'm laying my money on the ice tonight.
Tuesday’s Best NHL Bets
(Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook)
Carolina Hurricanes (-120) @ New York Rangers (+100) | O/U 5.5 (+100/-120)
The Rangers held off a surging Canes squad in game one, collecting a 4-3 win at the Garden. The two sides are back at it tonight for Game 2, and we have a puck drop set for 7:00 p.m. ET from Madison Square Garden in New York.
I have to say that I'm a bit surprised to see the Rangers getting an even-money payout in Game 2. Just because this is a must-win game for the Canes doesn't mean the Rags are simply going to roll over and let them even up the series. I'll take the +100 payout that comes with New York on the moneyline.
For starters, the President's Trophy winners are at home, and MSG has been a fortress for them, where they posted a 30-11-0 record during the regular season. They're also off to a 3-0-0 start at home in the postseason.
Then we have the head-to-head numbers, where the Blue Shirts went 3-1-0 against the Canes this season. New York limited Carolina to one or fewer goals in three of the four meetings.
I also believe the Rangers have the edge in netminding this series. Igor Shesterkin had a couple of rough stretches throughout the regular season, but he's locked in now, sitting at 5-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .921 SV% during the playoffs. Finally, New York has also been better on the penalty kill, boasting the third-highest PK rate (90.91%), while Carolina is just 15th (61.54%).
Give me the Rangers to remain undefeated this postseason.
Bet: New York Rangers Moneyline (+100)
Colorado Avalanche (+105) @ Dallas Stars (-125) | O/U 6.0 (-120/+100)
The Avalanche cruised to a 4-1 series win against the Jets, which means they've been idle since April 30 (eight days). They'll make the trip to the Lone Star State to open up a series against the Stars, who just secured a 2-1 Game 7 win over the Golden Knights on Sunday. Game 1 is set for 9:30 p.m. ET from the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
Only one of Dallas' seven games against Vegas eclipsed this total of 6.0 goals, with a second finishing as a push. However, I think we're in for a much more offensive series this time around. I'm playing the over in Game 1.
First off, in four head-to-head meetings between these divisional foes, the over went 3-0-1 at this number of 6.0 goals. They finished: COL W: 6-3, COL W: 5-4, COL W: 5-1, DAL W: 7-4. That's an average of 8.8 goals per game!
These two sides are clearly offensive-minded teams. In years past, Dallas was a team that wanted to win every game 2-1. Not anymore; they're rolling four lines of skilled skaters who can run up the score on anybody. Defensively, during the regular season, both of these teams ranked outside the top 10 in 5-on-5 goals against per 60 minutes. In the same category on the offensive side (i.e., goals scored per 60 minutes during 5-on-5 play), the Avalanche were first (2.96), while the Stars were fourth (2.84).
Finally, I just have to say that I'm not convinced that Alexandar Georgiev (3.03 GAA, .900 SV% in the postseason) is the answer in net for the Avs. Stonewalling a pedestrian Jets team doesn't mean much to me, and I think there's a chance he gets lit up tonight against a high-flying Stars team. Give me the over in Dallas.
Bet: Over 6.0 (-120)
