NHL Playoffs Expert Picks: Ovechkin, Wake Up!

It's time. The Stanley Cup is being polished, the series are locked in as the NHL playoffs begin.

Just like the players, our team is taking no days off either. Michel Anderson and I will be giving picks for every playoff game this season.

Read all of our picks or jump ahead to the game you're most interested in: 

NHL Playoffs Betting Picks

Visit our NHL betting hub daily for expert analysis for every series and playoff betting tips to find an edge for every bet.

Rolling Records
Michel: 12-7 (+1.81 Units)
Josie: 9-10 (-0.46 Units)

Game 3: rangers vs capitals
The Game: NY Rangers vs Washington Capitals, 7 PM ET

NY Rangers vs Washington Capitals Series Preview

Michel's Take: If Washington was to have any chance in this series, their top offensive talent was going to have to step up, big. But with 0 goals from Alex Ovechkin, Max Pacioretty and T.J. Oshie, that's not happened.

And as such, the Capitals are down 2-0 and not likely to get back up again.

Sure, the series switches back to DC, but New York is the fourth-best team on the road this year per points percentage (0.659%). Not to mention that Washington is 2-3SU in their last five home games.

Rangers win tonight and take a commanding 3-0 series lead.

Josie's Take: Of the four meetings in the regular season, the Caps and Rangers picked up two wins on home ice. So far this series, we've seen New York hop to a 2-0 lead at MSG. Now, will we see Washington continue the trend as we head to Capital One Arena?

Tuesday's outing was a closer contest with Washington netting three goals. Yet we still beg the question, what the hell is wrong with Ovechkin? No points and one shot on net in two games? The captain told media he hasn't been feeling well and is being patient. Patience? Never heard of it! The series is practically over if Ovi lets his Caps go down three games. 

Charlie Lindgren has been non-existent in this series. The saving grace is that he carries a 14-7-4 SU record at home this year compared to his 11-9-3 SU on the road. 

I'll give Washington one more chance. Expecting another close game and hoping the big boys show up. 

Michel's Pick: Rangers ML (-175)
Josie's Pick: Washington +1.5 (-185)

Game 3: canucks vs predators
The Game: Vancouver Canucks vs Nashville Predators, 7:30 PM ET

Vancouver Canucks vs Nashville Predators Series Preview

Michel's Take: At home, Nashville has hit the OVER 56% this season (23-18) and four of their last five games. And tonight there's a terrible goalie at the other end of the ice.

Going from Thatcher Demko to Casey DeSmith has been a massive downgrade for Vancouver. The former Penguins shot-stopper had a 0.800SV% in Game 2 stopping only 12 of 15 shots. 

Now, consider that Nashville averages 32.3 shots per game at home. DeSmith is going to be bombarded at Bridgestone Arena. And he's simply not good enough to stand up to it.

Josie's Take: This is a brand new series now with Thatcher Demko out. Casey DeSmith allowed three goals in the last meeting on just 15 shots and in this goaltending showdown, I trust Juuse Saros more. 

The Preds, in Nashville, just know they are sitting in a better position right now. This is a simple pick for me. Let's hope I didn't just jinx it, though.

Michel's Pick: OVER 5.5 (-125)
Josie's Pick: Nashville ML (-115)

Game 3: jets vs avalanche
The Game: Winnipeg jets vs colorado avalanche, 10 PM ET

Winnipeg Jets vs Colorado Avalanche Series Preview

Michel's Take: The Avs have been right dominant at home with a 31-10SU (76%) record this year. Though two of those 10 losses were against Winnipeg.

But the Avs not-so-secret weapon, Justus Annunen might just be back for Game 3. And while Georgiev played well in Game 2, Colorado must give the Finn the net. Annunen holds a remarkable 2.25GAA and 0.928SV% this year. Colorado's only weakness has been in net and Justus has been the cure. 

With him in net, no doubt Colorado wins tonight.

Josie's Take: This series gets my adrenaline running. I think Colorado has the edge right now, flying back to the Rocky Mountains where they are an insane 31-9-1 SU this year. But, I still feel like the final score could tilt in either direction. Especially, since both Hellebuyck and Georgiev have both been shaky at times. 

However, the offense hasn't disappointed in this series. Winnipeg and Colorado have piled up 20 goals combined through the first two meetings of this series. 

Oh, and I'm loving the look of my +820 same-game parlay for this meeting. Check it out and tail it with me!

Michel's Pick: Avalanche ML (-175)
Josie's Pick: OVER 6.5 (-110)

Game 3: Oilers vs kings
The Game: Edmonton Oilers vs LA Kings, 10:30 PM ET

Edmonton Oilers vs LA Kings Series Preview

Michel's Take: The Kings shut me up. I said they wouldn't muster an answer after that big Game 1 loss and they answered indeed with a 5-4 OT win. So instead of picking a straight-up winner, I'll take a neutral bet. The total.

We haven't witnessed good goalkeeping in this series. Either Talbot or Skinner has yet to register a save percentage above 0.892. That means goals are flying in faster than we'd expect. Both teams have combined for 5.9 goals above expected in this series.

With poor goalie play there's no reason to expect the UNDER to hit tonight. I'm going with the OVER.

Josie's Take: This series is literally just copied and pasted from what I had to say about Colorado and Winnipeg. Skinner, allowing nine goals, and Talbot, conceding 10 goals, are not going to be the heroes in this series.

Though, the boys patrolling the blue line on either squad haven't blown me away either. Both the Oilers (5.34 GAA) and Kings (3.56 GAA) sit in the bottom five for goals against per 60 minutes. Again, seems like the offense is the only one showing up to play. 

Michel's Pick: OVER 6.5 (-102)
Josie's Pick: OVER 6.5 (-102)