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NHL Playoffs Best Bets, Picks & Predictions: Sunday (4/23)

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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.

Sunday's Best NHL Bets

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Carolina Hurricanes (+100) at New York Islanders (-120) | O/U 5.5 (+120/-148)

We had to see if the Islanders could respond at home, and they did. It wasn't until late, but they scored four goals in the final four minutes. Their even-strength offense has been excellent, but they’ve been awful with the man advantage and have converted just one of their last 20 power play opportunities, a trend that cannot continue.

They need the defense and goaltending to continue to play well because the Canes will not let that type of scoring happen again.

Carolina finished the best-expected goal differential this season. Offensively they're not playing as well as expected, but the defense has kept them in contention.

A full Carolina roster is better than New York's, but we're seeing how important Teuvo Teravainen and Andrei Svechnikov were to this team. It doesn't matter if it's in Nassau or Belmont, Isles fans give that team a home-ice advantage. This will be a fight, but New York will make this a best of five.

Pick: Islanders Moneyline (-120)

Boston Bruins (-152) at Florida Panthers (+126) | O/U 6.5 (+100/-122)

How would the Bruins respond to being blown out in The Garden? By getting hot in South Beach. Boston dominated early in the contest, did well at passing around the puck, which allowed them optimal opportunities to score. While Florida did well at crashing the crease, Ullmark showed why he's the clear Vezina Trophy winner.

After giving up three goals, Panthers’ goalie Alex Lyon was pulled in favor of Sergei Bobrovsky, who stopped 8-of-9, breathing some life into the Panthers as they scored twice to cut the lead in half. No word yet on who it will be between the pipes when the puck drops, but we could see a switch.

The Bruins to win straight up does have much value, but one bet that I also like is the under.

Pick: Under 6.5 Goals (-122)

Edmonton Oilers (-160) at Los Angeles Kings (+132) | O/U 6.5 (-104/-118)

The Oilers and Kings have been the most exciting series of the first round. Two games have gone to overtime, and all three have been tied in the third period.

Edmonton has done an excellent job of getting the lead in these games, but the Kings continue to apply pressure on offense and play physical on defense, having battled their way to two comeback wins.

The Oilers should remember they were the best overall scoring team in the regular season and were fifth in even-strength goals. They have just four in this series, nearly half their average from the regular season.

Besides Leon Draisaitl, the Kings have done well at containing the Oilers' top forwards. Until Game 3, Connor McDavid had kept the lamp dark, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman still have yet to score.

Each game has made it hard to back a team, but the regular season series has seen the defense make its mark, and we'll continue to ride the under.

Pick: Under 6.5 Goals (-118)

Check out our other best bets for Sunday:

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