We're into the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs now. Every day of the NHL postseason, Michel Anderson and myself, have you set with daily expert picks.
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Rolling Records
Michel: 29-17 (+3.30 Units)
Josie: 21-23 (-1.83 Units)
Game 2: rangers vs hurricanes
The Game: Carolina Hurricanes vs NY Rangers, 7 PM
| Team | Puckline | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| NY Rangers | +1.5 (-258) | O5.5 (+102) | +102 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | -1.5 (+210) | U5.5 (-122) | -122 |
Josie's Take: In the last five years, Carolina has dropped five series openers and in four of those instances, also went on to drop Game 2. Truthfully, Igor Shesterkin didn't blow anyone away in the series opener. But, Frederik Andersen has been shaky a handful of times already this postseason.
Carolina almost snuck behind for a comeback, scoring two in the third but you can't wait until the dwindling minutes to give your best effort. The Rangers at home, where they're 30-11 SU, is tough to go against.
Pick: Rangers ML (+102)
Michel's Take: I don't like that the Rangers lost the expected goal game 2.67 to 2.16 yet won 4-3. The Hurricanes penalty kill let them down massively allowing two goals on two opportunities. That's something that's only happened eight times this year and only three times since November 24.
In the following game after allowing two (or more) power-play goals since November 24th, the Hurricanes went 3-0SU put up a +5 goal differential and, more importantly, 13-for-13 on the penalty kill. The three teams they beat were Toronto, Florida and Colorado. So, you know, good teams.
I like the Hurricanes here. A lot.
Pick: Hurricanes ML (-122)
Game 1: Stars vs Avalanche
The Game: Colorado Avalanche Vs Dallas Stars, 9:30 PM
| Team | Puckline | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Avalanche | +1.5 (-230) | O6.0 (-122) | +105 |
| Dallas Stars | -1.5 (+190) | U6.0 (+102) | -125 |
Josie's Take: I'm curious how this series plays out. Colorado didn't score fewer than five goals last series but Jake Oettinger allowed just seven goals in his last five performances. Will offense or defense prevail?
The Avalanche's depth, with guys like Lehkonen and Nichushkin on a five-game goal streak, will require the Stars and Oettinger to be locked in for the entire 60 minutes.
I don't think it's fair to say Colorado met a tough defense to overcome last series with Winnipeg seriously falling through the cracks. We'll learn a lot in Game 1 but I'm taking Dallas' quick turnaround as a positive.
Pick: Stars ML (-125)
See Josie's wicked +1211 three-leg parlay for this matchup
Michel's Take: In the last six games between these two the OVER has hit five times. The one time it didn't the score went up to six goals. So it was pretty close to hitting a sixth time.
And while Dallas has an excellent defensive record, we've seen what Colorado can do against a good defensive team. Just ask Connor Hellebuyck about that. He's a Vezina finalist who averaged a 5.23GAA and 0.864SV% against Colorado in the playoffs. Horrendous.
"You're probably not going to believe when I say I was playing the best hockey of my career."
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 2, 2024
Connor Hellebuyck discusses the heartbreaking loss to Colorado. pic.twitter.com/5RpnIwzTDW
And Oettinger hasn't been good against Colorado this season with a 1-2-0 record, a 0.863SV% and 4.74GAA. Not to mention he's awful in the first game of a playoff series. In his career, Oettinger is 0-5SU with a 0.900SV% and a 2.98GAA.
All that to say the Otter isn't stopping much in this one. So the total goes OVER.
While we're speaking about Oettinger, I'd take the UNDER on his save prop tonight. The line is 27.5 saves with the odds at -105. And with how bad he is in Game 1's. I believe we've got a safe bet on our hands.
Pick: OVER 6.0 (-122)
