NHL Playoffs Expert Picks: Leafs Momentum Returns To Scotiabank Arena

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: 

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Rolling Records
Michel: 8-6 (-1.08 Units)
Josie: 6-8 (-0.68 Units)

Game 3: Bruins vs Maple Leafs
The Game: Boston bruins vs toronto maple leafs, 7 PM ET

Boston Bruins vs Toronto Maple Leafs Series Preview

Michel's Take: Why play anyone other than Jeremy Swayman against the Leafs? This year, the 25-year-old holds a 4-0-0 record, a 0.962SV% and a 1.23GAA versus Toronto. Again, why start anyone else but Swayman against the Buds?

In Toronto, the Bruins hold a 4-0-0 record since 22-23. So add Swayman's record in 23-24 and the B's enter Game 3 with form on their side. Not to mention a bit of revenge on the brain. In Game 2, Boston had only 31% of the scoring chances and 41% of the expected goals. They were outplayed by Toronto. Plain and simple. 

Boston is a more complete team with better goaltending and motivation. That's enough for me to bet on them tonight. 

Josie's Take: Toronto snapped its eight-game skid against the Bruins and luckily headed back to Scotiabank Arena with a tie-up series. The Leafs had all gears moving forward in the last meeting -- Auston Matthews picked up three points and sniped eight shots, Max Domi was flying with a goal and assist and Tyler Bertuzzi's grit and grind with five shots was enough to silence the Bruins. 

Jeremy Swayman will likely get the start tonight and his .972SV% from the series opener is staring Toronto down. History favors Boston, which has covered the puck line in 10 of its last 11 outings with Toronto when coming off a loss.

Neither will want to let the chance to lead the series slip through the cracks. I expect a close game. 

Check out my reliable, but profitable +393 three-leg same-game parlay for the Boston vs Toronto meeting tonight. 

Michel's Pick: Bruins ML (-108)
Josie's Pick: Bruins +1.5 (-270)

Game 2: Golden Knights vs Stars
The Game: Vegas Golden Knights vs Dallas Stars, 9:30 PM ET

Vegas Golden Knights vs Dallas Stars Series Preview

Michel's Take: It might be time for us to realize Oettinger just isn't great in the playoffs. Last season, he played 19 playoff games and put up an awful 0.895SV% and 3.06GAA.

In Game 1, his save percentage was a pathetic 0.733SV%. He allowed four goals against but only faced 1.77 expected goals. Again, pathetic.

It doesn't help that Vegas has a row of lethal shooters. They've got 17 skaters whose shooting percentage is well above league average (8.5%). And ten skaters above 12%. With that type of elite shooting talent, Dallas cannot afford Oettinger to be pathetically bad. Unfortunately, that's what they've got. I've no confidence Dallas will win. 

Josie's Take: Dallas does not want to fly into Vegas trailing by two games in this series. I think the Stars learned where to adjust their game plan. Obviously, Mark Stone, who scored less than two minutes into Game 1, is a big threat on the ice. Plus, their penalty kill needs to be tighter. Of the four goals Vegas collected in the series opener, two were on the powerplay. The best move? Stay out of the box altogether. 

Jake Oettinger was nowhere to be found last outing, recording a gut-wrenching .733SV% and stopping just 11 shots. I don't see the 25-year-old looking that shaky twice -- especially not in front of his home crowd. It's redemption time.

Michel's Pick: Golden Knights ML (+145)
Josie's Pick: Stars ML (-175)

Game 2: kings vs Oilers
The Game: LA Kings vs Edmonton Oilers, 10 PM ET

LA Kings vs Edmonton Oilers Series Preview

Michel's Take: The Kings got spanked in Game 1 losing by three goals. You'd expect an answer in Game 2. This season, after losing by more than two goals, the Kings are 5-6SU in their next game. Not good.

Only one of those five wins came against a team in these playoffs (the Islanders). So, again, not good.

It gets worse when you look at the Kings' record in this situation. That means against the Oilers in the playoffs. Last season, they lost Game 5 6-3 and followed that up with a 5-4 loss in Game 6. Two years ago, LA lost Game 3 6-0 and then dropped Game 4 8-2.

I don't like the Kings' ability to fight back. I'm backing the Oilers to win tonight. 

Josie's Take: Regardless of the series opener outcome, kudos to the Kings for slapping 37 shots on the Oilers' net. It was a fair effort. But clearly, LA needs to figure out how to slow down Edmonton's offense instead of trying to keep up with them.

Another focal point is special teams with the Kings failing to kill off three of the Oiler's four powerplays. It's nearly impossible for LA to stop McDavid, Draisaitl and Hyman all at once. So, limiting their scoring chances as much as possible will make a difference. However, the OVER has hit in five straight playoff meetings and I'll safely lean on that.

Michel's Pick: Oilers ML (-192)
Josie's Pick: OVER 6 (-112)