NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Best Bets, Odds, & Picks: Friday (5/22)
Following Vegas’ 4-2 road upset in Game 1 against Colorado, oddsmakers remain bullish on the Avalanche to bounce back at home in Game 2 ahead of tonight’s 8 p.m. ET puck drop. Colorado is currently a -194 moneyline favorite ahead of hosting Mitch Marner and the red-hot Golden Knights, while the goal total is once again set to 6.5.
I’m coming off a 2-2 outing in my last edition of NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Best Bets (5/8). Both of my moneyline picks won, with Montreal cashing at plus odds with a 5-1 win over Buffalo, although under 5.5 didn’t cash. Vegas dominated the Ducks for a 6-2 win to cash -113 moneyline odds, which led to a loss on under 6.5 goals.
I’ve got a pair of NHL best bets to lock in ahead of Game 2 in tonight’s Western Conference Finals matchup between the Golden Knights and Avalanche. Follow me on X @Matt_MacKay_ for more NHL analysis and free picks.
Friday’s NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche
Colorado is carrying plenty of motivation into Game 2 against Vegas. The Golden Knights built a 3-0 lead in Game 1 before the Avalanche scored two third-period goals to close the gap.
Expect a more aggressive start for Colorado in a game they must win before hitting the road. Nathan MacKinnon was quiet in Game 1, while Vegas goaltender Carter Hart recorded 36 saves to outplay Scott Wedgewood in the crease.
The Avalanche are 11-2 SU in their last 13 games played. This includes 6-1 in their last seven home games. Hart has been a volatile goaltender, so facing another 35-40 shots will likely be too much to handle.
I’m willing to lay the juice on Colorado to win in regulation at -120 odds. The Avalanche have accomplished this feat in six of eight postseason wins, so let’s bet on the Avalanche at home in the 60-minute moneyline (3 way) market on FanDuel.
Pick: Avalanche 60 Min Moneyline (3 Way) (-120)
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche
I’m a big fan of unders in playoff hockey. Colorado and Vegas were two of the top goal total under teams during the regular season.
Trends imply under 6.5 is once again the play in Game 2. This line won in Game 1 and should hit again on Friday night. The Avalanche have gone under the goal total line in 9 of their last 10 home games against Vegas. This includes under 6.5 in 11 of their last 16 head-to-head matchups against the Golden Knights.
Wedgewood has to be better, but we’ve seen him limit the Kings and Wild to 2 or fewer goals in six of eight starts for the Avalanche during the playoffs. Let’s bet under 6.5 at -124 odds.
Pick: Under 6.5 (-124)
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