Top NHL Parlay Odds & Picks for Sunday, May 15 (2022)
This invigorating weekend of NHL action continues today with a pair of game seven showdowns. First, the Penguins look to avoid a 3-1 letdown in the series as they try to hold off the surging Rangers at the Garden. Game two is a matchup in Alberta, where the Flames look to fend off the Stars at home in game seven. We cashed yesterday’s three-leg parlay, nailing all three winners in a parlay that saw a $100 bettor profit of $413! Here is my three-leg parlay for today’s action:
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Bet $10, Win $200 if Either Team Scores a Goal >>
Pittsburgh Penguins (+125) vs. New York Rangers (-145) O/U 6.5
(Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. ET)
The Penguins jumped out to early leads in Games 5 and 6 before letting it slip away to a pesky Rangers side. After having a comfortable lead, Pittsburgh now finds themselves fighting for their playoff lives in a game seven on the road in New York. Puck drop between the Pens and Rangers is set for 7:00 p.m. ET tonight at Madison Square Garden.
Let’s address the 500-pound elephant in the room right off the bat. Is Sydney Crosby playing? It’s night and day how Pittsburgh has performed with the two-time Hart winner in the lineup versus when he’s been out. Crosby was the best player on the ice in the series before being sidelined in game five. Circling back on the question, the truth is that no one knows at this point whether Syd will lace up the skates in game seven. As we know with the playoffs, teams play injuries close to their chest and don’t release much information until the last minute. Crosby practiced with the team on Saturday, so based on my history in the industry and what I’ve seen over the years, I’m leaning towards ruling him in for game seven.
If Sydney Crosby can play in Game 7 and contribute meaningful minutes, I like the Penguins to win easily in game seven. However, I still fancy a chance with Pittsburgh to punch their ticket to the next round if he doesn’t. The Penguins have proved that Igor Shesterkin isn’t impenetrable in net this series. The Vezina hopeful netminder has a GAA of 3.82 through the first six games, and he’s been far from perfect in the playoffs. As long as Pittsburgh can put together 60 minutes of clean, fundamental hockey, they’ll be in this game down the stretch. I like taking a shot with the Penguins at plus-money for game seven.
Leg 1: Penguins ML
Dallas Stars (+170) vs. Calgary Flames (-190) O/U 5.5
(Puck Drop: 9:30 p.m. ET)
The final game of the first round takes place in Calgary, where the Flames will look to hold off the Stars at the Saddledome. Puck Drop is set for 9:30 p.m. ET in this Western Conference clash, with the winner earning a ticket to a seven-game series with the Edmonton Oilers.
There’s one word to sum up this series: goaltending. Both Jake Oettinger and Jacob Markstrom have played out of their minds in this series, posting GAA’s south of 1.70 and each earning a shutout victory this postseason. Oettinger has a GAA of 1.69 in the playoffs, and his SV% sits at 0.954 entering tonight’s action. As for the Vezina finalist, Markstrom, he’s at 1.52 and 0.945 in those categories. It’s been a goaltender clinic through the first six games of the series.
All three of the previous games at the Saddledome have gone under 5.5 goals, and I expect that trend to continue tonight. In addition to the elite goaltending, these teams have had no luck on the power play. Out of the 16 teams in the playoffs, the Flames and Stars rank 14th and 15th with PP% of 9.52% and 8.70%, respectively. I don’t think it’s offensive incompetence on the man-advantage; instead, it’s a testament to how great the goaltending, defense, and will to keep the puck out of the net has been for each team. I think Dallas and Calgary tighten it down even further tonight, and we see another low-scoring affair. Let’s add the under 5.5 goals to the ticket.
Leg 2: Under 5.5 (-135) DAL/CAL
We’ll keep it in the same game to round out today’s three-leg NHL parlay. I like the Flames to get it done at home tonight in Game 7. I think we can expect another low-scoring game tonight in Alberta, so the difference will come on the offensive end with who can find the back of the net. And when talking about offensive production, the edge goes to the Flames in that department. Goals have been tough to come by so far in the postseason, but during the regular season, the Flames averaged 3.5 goals per game (6th) compared to the Stars scoring just 2.8 times per contest (22nd).
In a matchup where the goaltending has been a wash, I like the Flames to muster enough offense to be the difference-maker in the game. Calgary also has home ice, so expect the Saddledome to be rocking tonight. And finally, a win for Calgary sets up the “Battle of Alberta†in the second round as the winner takes on the Oilers. It’s what hockey fans want and need – so let’s lock in the Flames to finish today’s parlay paying just under five-to-one!
Leg 3: Flames ML
Total Odds: +498 via DraftKings
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