NHL Playoffs Expert Picks: Losers Time To Make Adjustments

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. Our NHL experts, Michel Anderson and Josie Costigan, will be giving picks for every playoff game this season.

Looking for a tasty +900 parlay? Michel's got a three-leg NHL same-game parlay tonight for the Capitals vs Rangers tilt.

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

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Rolling Records
Michel: 6-4 (+0.98 Units)
Josie: 5-5 (-1.22 Units)

Game 2: capitals vs rangers
The Game: Washington Capitals vs NY Rangers, 7 PM ET

Washington Capitals vs NY Rangers Series Preview

Michel's Take: I know we're looking at the score from Game 1 and think Washington is done and dusted and about to get destroyed in this series. But the Caps did well enough with 2.3 xG to New York's 2.9. It was closer than the score suggests.

New York got all of its production from 5on5 and nothing from the power play. That's unheard of for them. Washington was disciplined in Game 1 keeping that Rangers PP largely off the ice.

I'm still sure the Rangers win this game, but I'm looking beyond the score from the first matchup and think the Caps keep it close.

See our Same-Game Parlay for this game.

Josie's Take: The President's Trophy curse may be looming but it didn't show in the series opener. Scoring three goals in the second period within two minutes quickly shut down the Capitals, who clearly had nothing to give anyway. I mean, Ovechkin with no shots on goal? 

New York had everything working. Rookies playing like veterans with Matt Rempe opening the scoring, the star power putting in the effort with Panarin sniping seven shots and the physicality of throwing 12 more hits than Washington. Oh, and Shesterkin kept the back of the net clean, recording a .952SV%. 

Washington can try to adjust its gameplan but I still don't think they can compete with the level the Rangers are on, especially at Madison Square Garden. 

Michel's Pick: Capitals +1.5 (-125)
Josie's Pick: Rangers -1.5 (+104)

Game 2: Lightning vs Panthers
The Game: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers, 7:30 PM ET

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Florida Panthers Series Preview

Michel's Take: Game 1 was a cautious feeling-out process. But I'm sure all-out offense is going to hit in Game 2. 

I'm specifically looking at the Bolts' 19 shots on the net. That's well below their season average of 29.3. So what we saw was a below-average offensive performance by the fifth-best offensive team in the NHL. And look, even with that below-average output the Lightning put up two goals. We just needed a third for the OVER to hit. With the line staying the same tonight I say it hits.

Josie's Take: Despite a close 3-2 final in the first game, Florida ultimately controlled the meeting against Tampa Bay, holding the Lightning to 19 shots. Meanwhile, the Panthers' offense thrashed through 28 shots, with all but five players letting the puck fly at least once. Again, the depth is showing. 

In its last seven home games, Florida has won when coming off a home win. But, the playoffs are a different beast and I know Tampa Bay will need to put some pressure if they want to return to Amalie Arena with a tied series. For the Lightning, 19 shots aren't going to cut it. I would expect an offensive showdown here. 

Michel's Pick: OVER 5.5 (-128)
Josie's Pick: OVER 5.5 (-128)

Game 2: Avalanche vs Jets
The Game: Colorado Avalanche vs winnipeg Jets, 9:30 PM ET

Colorado Avalanche vs Winnipeg Jets Series Preview

Michel's Take: This game has to tighten up defensively. We can't continue to see a 13-goal shootout every game. And that massively benefits the Winnipeg Jets.  

Winnipeg was tied for the best (overall) defense with 2.41 goals against per game. At home this year, the Jets were the best defense with 2.39 goals against. All that to say, a not-so-open game suits Winnipeg just fine. 

Not Colorado who is relying on Alexandar Georgiev and his career 3.05GAA and 0.898SV% in the playoffs to shut the door. Sorry, the Jets take Game 2.

Josie's Take: The defense will need to tighten up in this series. It's unrealistic to be allowing 13-goals throughout this matchup. These two both have top-notch offenses, trust me they proved it. They're going to exhaust themselves trying to chase each other on the scoreboard. 

Adjustments, adjustments, adjustments. Allowing 2.43 GPG this regular season, we know Winnipeg has the league's best defense -- so it's time to show it. 

Michel's Pick: Jets ML (-110)
Josie's Pick: UNDER 6.5 (-128)

Game 2: predators vs canucks
The Game: Nashville Predators vs Vancouver Canucks, 10 PM ET

Nashville Predators vs Vancouver Canucks Series Preview

Michel's Take: In my series preview for this matchup I believed that Preds would come away with a series win. That starts tonight.

Nashville played a solid road game and never let Vancouver dominate the proceedings. And even though they "collapsed" in the third by allowing three goals, Nashville had more shots (59%), scoring chances (53%), high-danger chances (67%) and expected goals (60%). The third was a period they should have won. 

Carbon-copy that effort and they win.

Josie's Take: Nashville had the opportunity to steal the series opener until it crumbled, allowing two goals within 12 seconds in the third. Neither team had much offense generating, tossing 22 shots or less. I think both sides will understand that another slow start like last game just isn't going to cut it. 

The Canucks have five straight wins over the Predators. But, Nashville had Vancouver right where they wanted them until it all fell apart late in the game. I think the Preds will fine-tune their game and come out blazing tonight.

Michel's Pick: Predators ML (+134)
Josie's Pick: Predators ML (+134)