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NHL Playoffs Best Bets, Picks & Predictions: Monday (5/8)

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Just one game on the schedule for tonight. Edmonton easily took Game 2 and come home with this series tied at one. They offense keep rolling, but now the defense is playing better. Let’s see if they can continue this run.

Monday’s Best NHL Bets

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

Vegas Golden Knights (+146) at Edmonton Oilers (-178) | O/U 6.5 (-144/+118)

The Oilers continued to show why they were the best offense in the regular season by transitioning that into the playoffs.

It all started with Leon Draisaitl once again but there were other guys that decided to score a goal, including Connor McDavid, who grabbed two to keep his multi-point streak going at six.

Edmonton’s offense was never the problem in the playoffs. Stuart Skinner has lacked consistency, including allowing five goals in the Game 1 loss. Game 2 marked the first time he allowed under two goals in the playoffs, which included saving six high-danger shots and 1.6 goals saved above expected.

The Golden Knights’ offense wasn’t stagnant. They were able to get the puck near the net, but they could not grab rebounds and get second chances. They had the expected goals advantage in this game, but Skinner was a wall, and Edmonton was able to clear it out.

It’s been a tough couple of games for Laurent Brossoit who has a .847 save percentage and a 5.41 GAA. In Game 2, the Golden Knights didn’t do him any favors by giving Edmonton six power play opportunities, but he did allow a short-handed goal. There is no announcement of the lineup for Game 3, but I expect Brossoit to be in the crease, but he may get a quicker hook than the second intermission if Vegas falls behind early.

I don’t think the Oilers will get that many PP chances again, but if other guys besides Draisatil keep contributing, this series could end quickly. I’ll continue to ride with Edmonton, as the Vegas defense hasn’t contained them in this series.

Best Pick: Oilers 60 Min Moneyline (-125)

We just missed out on the over in the last game, but that didn’t stop oddsmakers from bumping the total up to seven. I’m confident that the Oilers’ offense to keep going, but I have trouble believing Skinner will replicate that performance.

Pick: Over 6.5 (-144)

Check out our other best bets for Monday:


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