Top NHL Playoffs Betting Odds & Picks for Sunday, May 15 (2022)
Game 7 is set to get underway in two different series to close out the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday, with some great betting angles to attacks. Below, I give out my two best bets for Sunday’s games.
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Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
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Pittsburgh Penguins (+120) @ New York Rangers (-140), o/u 6.5 (+100/-120)
The New York Rangers will host the Pittsburgh Penguins to close out their first-round series following Friday’s 5-3 win. I hit the over in that game, and I am going back to the well once again.
The total has gone over 6.5 in each of the first six games in this series, and I expect that trend to continue in Game 7. Both offenses have been on fire as the Rangers are averaging four goals scored per game in this series while the Penguins are averaging 4.33 goals scored.
I am not too worried about offensive regression as the Rangers and Penguins have each generated a game average of 3.39 and 4.89 expected goals for (xGF) respectively this postseason. Meanwhile, both starting goaltenders have had a tough go so far.
Over his last five starts, Rangers starting goaltender Igor Shesterkin possesses a game average of -0.33 goals saved above expected (GSAx). Across the ice, the Penguins are forced to go with their third-string goaltender once again as Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith remain injured.
Goaltender Louis Domingue has had a very tough task with filling in as he possesses a mere 0.888 save percentage and 3.80 goals allowed average over his five starts in this series. Over those five games, Domingue possesses a game average of -0.87 GSAx.
Best Bet: Penguins/Rangers o6.5 (+100)
Dallas Stars (+160) @ Calgary Flames (-190), o/u 5.5 (+115/-135)
We have another Game 7 in that last game of the entire first round as the Dallas Stars travel to Calgary to take on the Flames. Two of Calgary’s three wins in this series have been by at least two goals, and I expect a similar result in Game 7.
While Dallas has done an exceptional job in this series in turning every game into a coin flip with their physical and defensive-orientated style of play, I think traveling to Calgary will be too much to win that battle. This season, the Flames rank higher than Dallas in both xGF and expected goals against (xGA).
Calgary has been dominant at home all season as they went 25-9-7 at Scotiabank Saddledome. Over their four home games against Dallas between the regular season and the playoffs, the Flames are 3-1 with two of those wins coming by a two-goal margin.
I do not want to discredit Dallas as they have been playing terrific hockey all around in this series. With that being said, Calgary has a better offense, defense, goaltender, coach, and home-ice advantage.
Best Bet: Calgary Flames -1.5 (+135)
Best of luck!
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