The 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are finally upon us as we have four first-round matchups set to kick us off on Monday night. Below, I give out my two best bets for Monday’s games.
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Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Bet $10, Win $200 if Either Team Scores a Goal >>
Los Angeles Kings (+160) @ Edmonton Oilers (-195), o/u 6.5 (+105/-125)
We have a Pacific Division battle this series as the two-seed Edmonton Oilers take on the three-seed Los Angeles Kings. In a series where the Kings are massively undervalued to win the round, +200, they are also massively undervalued in Game 1.
There is a large tax that oddsmakers have placed on the Oilers due to the public, as they will certainly back McDavid and Draisaitl to beat the Kings. However, the Kings have been undervalued all year as they went 50-32 ATS.
If you look at the metrics, the Kings actually have the advantage in this series. This season, the Kings rank 11 spots higher than Edmonton in five-on-five expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA) and just one spot lower in five-on-five expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF).
Not only do the metrics back Los Angeles, but the eye test does as well. This Kings roster is built for playoff hockey as they are experienced, big, and physical.
They will have the ability to frustrate Edmonton, especially in playoff hockey, where the games are tougher and fewer penalties are called. Add into the fact that two-time cup winner Jonathan Quick is performing some of his best goaltending in years. I like the Kings to steal Game 1 and set the tone for the rest of the series.
Best Bet: Los Angeles Kings ML (+160)
Boston Bruins (+100) @ Carolina Hurricanes (-120), o/u 5.5 (-110/-110)
The Carolina Hurricanes host the Boston Bruins in Game 1 of this series. Not only do I think Boston pulls off the upset in Game 1, but I think they will win the series.
A big reason for this thinking is the absence of Hurricanes starting goaltender Frederik Andersen, who has already been ruled out for Game 1 and could miss more time. In his absence, Antti Raanta is the projected starting goaltender.
Raanta has struggled to fill in for Andersen as he posted a mere 0.895 save percentage over his seven appearances between the pipes in April. Outside of a few individuals, Carolina’s defense as a whole has been very average this season as they rank just 14th in the league in five-on-five expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA).
This defense could be a problem in protecting Raanta against a dangerous and experienced Boston offense. Not only does Boston’s offense benefit from not going against Andersen, but their defense should anchor them well in this game.
This season, Boston ranks first in the league in five-on-five expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA). Boston’s blue line will help out starting goaltender Linus Ullmark, who has won nine of his last 10 starts and boasts an outstanding 0.942 save percentage over that span.
Best Bet: Boston Bruins ML (+100)
Best of luck!
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Tony Sartori is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Tony, check out his archive and follow him @tony_sartori.