Top NHL Parlay Odds & Picks for Sunday, May 22nd (2022)
We’re set for a trio of Game 3s today in the second round of the NHL Playoffs. The Lightning and Hurricanes look to take commanding 3-0 leads in their respective series, while the Flames and Oilers fight for a 2-1 lead in the Battle of Alberta. I think everyone would be completely fine if the Calgary vs. Edmonton series lasts for as long as possible.
I’m putting together a three-leg parlay for today’s slate and I’ll sprinkle in a pick from each game so we have something to follow all day! This one pays +539 via FanDuel Sportsbook.
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Bet $10, Win $200 if Either Team Scores a Goal >>
Florida Panthers (-111) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (-108) O/U 6.5
(Puck Drop: 1:30 p.m. ET)
This in-state series between the Panthers and Lightning shifts across the state to the bay side, as Tampa Bay looks to go up 3-0 against the President’s Trophy winners. Puck drop is set for 1:30 p.m. ET from Amalie Arena in Tampa.
I will be locking in the under 6.5 goals (-122) for this matinee hockey match from the Sunshine State. There are a couple of reasons why I like the under, but one reason in particular: Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Russian-born netminder has returned to the elite playoff form that we’ve become accustomed to over the previous two-plus seasons. Vasilevskiy has allowed just three goals over the previous three games, which were all winners for the Bolts. He lowered his 2022 postseason GAA to 2.60 and his SV% sits at 0.916 entering today’s action.
Florida’s offense has gone silent at the worst time possible. They’re scoring just 2.8 goals per game in the playoffs, which is very low relative to the 4.1 goals they averaged through the regular season. Additionally, and maybe the most stunning statistic of all, is that the Panthers are now 0-25 on the power play through eight games. With the way that their offense is trending, combined with Vasilevskiy’s form, I’ll be adding the under 6.5 goals for the first leg of this parlay.
Leg 1: Under 6.5 (-122)
Carolina Hurricanes (-114) vs. New York Rangers (-104) O/U 5.5
(Puck Drop: 3:30 p.m. ET)
Carolina won Game 1 of the series 2-1 and held the Rangers scoreless in Game 2, picking up a 2-0 win at home. The series moves to the Big Apple as New York looks to bounce back and get into the win column this afternoon. The puck drops at 3:30 p.m. ET from MSG for Game 3.
In my opinion (and on the stat sheet), the Rangers are outmatched in every category in this Metropolitan Division clash. Let’s start on the defensive end of the ice, where the Canes are the second-best team in the playoffs, allowing just 2.11 goals per game. As for New York, their opponents are finding the back of the net 3.33 times per contest. The Rangers have posted a -4 goal differential in the playoffs compared to the Hurricanes’ mark of +7.
On the offensive end of the ice, the Rangers are scoring 3.2 goals per game this postseason; however, that number is clearly inflated due to facing third-string netminder Louis Domingue of Pittsburgh in the first round. Their offense has face-planted since moving onto stiffer competition in Antti Raanta and the Carolina defense. Raanta now owns a 1.83 GAA in the playoffs and his SV% is an incredible 0.939 through eight games played.
I think it’s clear that the Canes are the better team in this series. The pressure that they supply on the forecheck is insane and puts immense stress on opposing teams in their own zone, often leading to more scoring chances for Carolina. The Hurricanes are more physical, and while they don’t have overwhelming superstar power, their offense is more well-rounded. Take the Canes to go up 3-0 in the series this afternoon.
Leg 2: Hurricanes ML
Calgary Flames (-115) vs. Edmonton Oilers (-104) O/U 7.0
(Puck Drop: 8:00 p.m. ET)
The Oilers bounced back in Game 2 at the Saddledome on Friday night with a 5-3 win. The victory evened the series at one game apiece as the series heads three hours up the AB-2 highway to Edmonton. The nightcap gets going at 8:00 p.m. ET from Rogers Place.
Mike Smith started out slow in Game 2, allowing two early goals to the Flames as they went down 2-0 in the game. But he tightened it up through the final two periods, allowing just one more tally. But, I’m still not completely sold on Mike Smith or the defense for Edmonton — especially in relation to the season that Jacob Markstrom put up in 2021-2022.
I’m going to ride with the Flames to get back in the win column tonight due to just a couple of key reasons. Jacob Markstrom, a Vezina finalist, has been incredible this year. While he hasn’t been sharp in the second round, he still owns a 2.41 GAA and 0.915 SV% entering tonight’s action. Additionally, Calgary has been great on the penalty kill, suppressing 31 out of 34 opposing teams’ opportunities this postseason. That’s obviously important against the high-powered top line of the Oilers featuring Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. I believe the Flames are the more well-rounded team in this game and I’ll be backing them as a slight favorite to reclaim the series lead tonight.
Leg 3: Flames ML
Total Odds: +539 via FanDuel Sportsbook
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