The 2nd Round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs will air on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max for Friday night’s doubleheader. Montreal and Buffalo puck drop starts at 7 p.m. ET, while Vegas and Anaheim start at 9:30 p.m. ET.
The Canadiens take on the Sabres as +110 road underdogs in Game 2 following a 4-2 loss in Game 1. The Anaheim Ducks are a slight home underdog (-106) in Game 3 against the Vegas Golden Knights after leveling the series on the road in Game 2. Goal totals are set to 5.5 between the Canadiens vs. Sabres and 6.5 between the Golden Knights vs. Ducks.
My NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Best Bets, Odds, & Picks: Friday (5/1) settled 3-0 for a profitable sweep. The Lightning won 1-0 in overtime, cashing their -114 moneyline odds, the Sabres beat the Boston Bruins 4-1 to cash under 5.5 at -102 odds, and Vegas routed Utah 5-1 to cash their -118 moneyline odds.
Let’s try to stay perfect on the ice. I’ve got a few best bets to tail ahead of tonight’s NHL Stanley Cup Playoff doubleheader.
Follow me on X @Matt_MacKay_ for more NHL analysis and free picks.
Friday’s NHL Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres
Montreal fell into an early deficit on the road against Buffalo in Game 1. The Sabres jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, then buried a couple more goals in the 2nd period to seize momentum.
Despite the lackluster production, we’re getting the Canadiens at a good price in a bounce-back spot. They are familiar with how to play their Atlantic Division opponent, logging a pair of regular-season wins against the Sabres, including one at KeyBank Center in January.
Montreal goaltender Jakub Dobes had his worst game of the playoffs in Game 1. We know the rookie netminder is capable of much better defense in the net, which I expect tonight in Game 2.
The Sabres are 2-7 SU in their last nine home games against the Canadiens. This includes Montreal going 6-3 SU against Buffalo in their previous nine head-to-head matchups.
With 72 percent of the public backing the Sabres on the moneyline, let’s bet on the Canadiens to level this series 1-1 with an outright win tonight at plus odds.
Pick: Canadiens Moneyline (+110)
Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres
Under 5.5 didn’t win in Game 1. However, trends imply that it will during Game 2 tonight.
The goal total has gone under in six of the Canadiens’ last seven games played. Under 5.5 has also been a winner in three of the Sabres’ last five outings.
Alex Lyon and Jakub Dobes are both capable of shutting down opposing offenses when they are playing their A-game in the crease. Once again, the vast majority of public wagers are on over 5.5 at a whopping 82 percent.
This will likely be a low-scoring matchup that Montreal wins 2-1 or 3-2. Let’s grab a second-plus odds line for Game 2 and bet under 5.5 goals at +104.
Pick: Under 5.5 (+104)
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Anaheim Ducks
We’re heading out to the 2nd Round of the Western Conference playoffs for an exciting Game 3 tilt between the Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks pulled off the road upset with a 3-1 win in Game 2, even with a much younger and less experienced roster compared to the Golden Knights.
Oddsmakers are leaning slightly in favor of Vegas to win on the road in Game 3. It’s close to a pick’em, with the Golden Knights laying -113 on the moneyline. Anaheim has trends on its side, going 4-1 SU in its last five home games, including 4-1 SU in its last five head-to-head matchups against Vegas.
However, the Golden Knights had a four-game winning streak snapped during a Game 2 loss in their last outing. Expect a more concentrated effort from Jack Eichel and the rest of Vegas’ lineup.
We’re getting a solid price on the Golden Knights’ moneyline at -113, so go ahead and bet another unit on Vegas to re-take the lead in this series against their Pacific Division rival.
Pick: Golden Knights Moneyline (-113)
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Anaheim Ducks
Playoff hockey tends to be a physical, methodical game that leads to limited scoring. We’re getting a 6.5 goal total for tonight’s Game 3 matchup between the Golden Knights and Ducks, despite both Game 1 and Game 2 settling with a final score of 3-1.
While this may seem a bit suspicious, taking under 6.5 feels like the right play to make in the goal total market. Lukas Dostal and Carter Hart are streaky goaltenders, although both have played well during the playoffs.
Dostal has held opponents to two or fewer goals in three straight starts. Hart has been just as stout, limiting opponents to four total goals in his last three starts for Vegas.
Under 6.5 has won in six of Vegas’ last eight games. Anaheim’s 1st Round series win over Edmonton saw five of six games soar over 6.5, which is why we’re getting under 6.5 at only -124 odds.
Let’s take advantage of this inflated total and finish our betting card with under 6.5 between the Golden Knights and Ducks tonight.
Pick: Under 6.5 (-124)
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