We’ve got three Game 6 matchups to enjoy on Friday’s NHL playoff slate. All three home teams are underdogs, with moneyline odds ranging between -102 and -105.
All three totals are set to 5.5, with plus odds available between Vegas and Utah. The Golden Knights and Buffalo Sabres are -118 road favorites, while the Tampa Bay Lightning are the only road favorite down 3-2 in their series.
My 4/24 NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Best Bets settled 1-2 last Friday. We cashed Montreal’s moneyline at +102 odds during their 3-2 overtime win on home ice in Game 3. Losses were on under 5.5 between the Golden Knights and Mammoth and Edmonton at -134 moneyline odds during a Game 3 road loss to Anaheim.
I’ve got three best bets to lock in ahead of tonight’s potential 1st Round elimination games. Follow me on X @Matt_MacKay_ for more NHL analysis and free picks throughout the rest of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Friday’s NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens
The Lightning find themselves on the verge of a first round exit during tonight’s road game at the Bell Centre. Tampa Bay erased a 2-0 deficit on the road in Game 4, while they wound up losing their second home game of this series in Game 5.
Montreal has won seven of its last eight home games as an underdog. The Canadiens have also covered the puck line as an underdog in 30 straight matchups.
Despite trends favoring Montreal, I’m all in on the Lightning. We’re getting a way better moneyline price at -114 odds compared to -170 in Game 5.
Tampa Bay is a veteran group with a ton of talent, including a goaltender, Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is capable of shutting down any offense. Let’s bet on the more desperate side, which is only catching 41 percent of public wagers, and lock in the Lightning moneyline.
Pick: Lightning Moneyline (-114)
Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins
Jeremy Swayman and Alex Lyon both played outstandingly in goal for their respective teams in Game 5. Buffalo heads to TD Garden for tonight’s Game 6 matchup, still holding a 3-2 lead in this series.
The goal total under has won in eight of the Bruins’ previous 12 games played. 60 percent of bets are on over 5.5, which makes me like under 5.5 total goals even more.
Under 5.5 has won in two of the last three games in this Atlantic Division playoff series. Lyon has held Boston to four total goals in three starts, while Swayman has held Buffalo to two or fewer goals in three of his past four outings.
This will likely be a physical, low-scoring game between familiar opponents. With Boston’s season on the line, let’s bet under 5.5 at -102 odds.
Pick: Under 5.5 (-102)
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Utah Mammoth
The Golden Knights and Mammoth return to Salt Lake City for Game 6 tonight after playing back-to-back overtime games. Vegas has rallied in two straight games to force overtime, posting wins in both of those matchups.
Tired legs could be a factor tonight. Utah and Vegas played a 2OT game on Wednesday, with the Golden Knights logging a 5-4 win for the second straight game in this 1st Round Western Conference playoff series.
Utah is 3-6 SU in its last nine games played, while Vegas is 10-3 SU across its last 13 matchups. It’s a tough road environment at the Delta Center, but we’ve seen enough to know that the Golden Knights won’t be phased if they go down early in Game 6.
Jack Eichel, who leads both teams with eight points in this series, is going to continue to generate scoring chances for Vegas tonight. Carter Hart has regressed a bit in net for the Golden Knights, yet his offense is bailing him out, scoring four-plus goals in three of these playoff games.
I anticipate a potential rout by Vegas on the road tonight, eliminating Utah to advance to the second round against the Anaheim Ducks. Bet on the Golden Knights moneyline at -118 odds.
Pick: Golden Knights Moneyline (-118)
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