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.
Read all of our picks or jump ahead to the game you're most interested in:
NHL Playoffs Betting Picks
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Rolling Records
Michel: 3-3 (-0.65 Units)
Josie: 4-2 (+1.15 Units)
Game 2: Maple Leafs vs Bruins
The Game: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins, 7 PM ET
| Team | Puckline | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +1.5 (-218) | O5.5 (-122) | +114 |
| Boston Bruins | -1.5 (+180) | U5.5 (+102) | -135 |
Maple Leafs vs Bruins Playoff Series Preview
Michel's Take: It was an embarrassing loss in Game 1 with lLeafs losing by four goals. If we're to draw anything from Toronto's regular season, they've been in this situation twice before and both times they've bounced back with big wins.
In December they lost to the Sabres by six and won their next game 4-1. In late February they lost 6-2 to the Golden Knights and won their next outing 4-2.
Toronto must bounce back. They've shown that ability in the past I'm convinced we'll see it tonight.
Josie's Take: Based off Game 1, my thought process of goaltending being a huge factor seems to be accurate. Jeremy Swagman recorded a .972SV%. Toronto’s offense is already at a deficiency with Nylander, who remains questionable for tonight. The reality is, that the Leafs have a liability with either Samsonov or Woll in between the pipes.
Michel's Pick: Maple Leafs ML (+114)
Josie's Pick: Bruins ML (-135)
Game 2: Islanders vs Hurricanes
The Game: New York Islanders vs Carolina Hurricanes, 7:30 PM ET
| Team | Puckline | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Islanders | +1.5 (-130) | O5.5 (+105) | +205 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | -1.5 (+110) | U5.5 (-125) | -250 |
New York Islanders vs Carolina Hurricanes Series Preview
Michel's Take: New York played a great road game against Carolina. They even outshot the Hurricanes. Which isn't normal. Carolina scored only one legitimate goal. Noesen's was lucky and the third was ENG.
With Jean-Gabriel Pageau coming back the Islanders can ice a more balanced lineup and really take it to Carolina. I'm not confident they'll win so I won't go with the +205 moneyline but I think New York will keep the score to within one goal.
Josie's Take: Okay, wasn’t as much of a blowout as I originally anticipated in the series opener. The Islanders did a steady job at staying out of the box, only tallying three penalties to limit the Canes’ hot power play (27.09%). With both teams playing disciplined, I am confident about another UNDER hitting.
Michel's Pick: Islanders +1.5 (-130)
Josie's Pick: UNDER 5.5 (-125)
Game 1: Golden Knights vs Stars
The Game: Vegas Golden Knights vs Dallas Stars, 9:30 PM
| Team | Puckline | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegas Golden Knights | +1.5 (-230) | O5.5 (-115) | +114 |
| Dallas Stars | -1.5 (+190) | U5.5 (-105) | -135 |
Vegas Golden Knights vs Dallas Stars Series Preview
Michel's Take: I'm sure Dallas will win this series, but for Game 1 I'm going to go with the Golden Knights. We already know that Vegas swept the season series with Dallas but they aren't given much of a chance because of where they ended in the standings.
But look Vegas is getting Mark Stone and Alex Pietrangelo back from injury. Not to mention Dallas hasn't seen Tomas Hertl in Vegas colors. The former Shark has four points in six games with Vegas.
Josie's Take: One of the final series opener that has yet to be played. Of course, we’re seeing a healthy Vegas lineup on the bench (how do they keep getting away with this!?). But, I think the Golden Knights have their work cut out for them with the Stars.
Dallas’ offense and defense sit somewhere in the league’s top 10. They’ve got a well-versed roster, with five guys hitting the 25-goal mark, including Hintz and Johnston who have eclipsed the 30-goal feat. Depth wins championships and I like how these Stars play together.
Michel's Pick: Golden Knights (+114)
Josie's Pick: Stars ML (-135)
Game 1: Kings vs Oilers
The Game: Los Angeles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers, 10 PM ET
| Team | Puckline | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Kings | +1.5 (-185) | O6 (+102) | +142 |
| Edmonton Oilers | -1.5 (+154) | U6 (-122) | -170 |
Los Angeles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers Series Preview
Michel's Take: Edmonton has lost the first game of their last two playoff series against the Kings. So the trend says they'll do so again this time. But every trend is meant to be broken (at some point). That happens tonight.
Edmonton is 4-3SU at home against the Kings in the playoffs (since 2022), winning the last two home games. The Oilers also took both games at Rogers Place this year (a 4-2 win in February and a 4-1 dub in March). Edmonton wins tonight.
Josie's Take: The final Game 1 of the 2024 playoffs and I hate this matchup! Not because it lacks thrill, intensity and history. But because I have been flipping back and forth on the series winner. These two teams are easily comparable, as the stats in our Edmonton vs LA series preview lays out. The Kings have impressed under Jim Hiller, who went 21-12-1 under his brief tenure. Plus, it’s hard to ignore LA’s third-best defense.
Then, there’s Connor McDavid. His 100 assists this season prove that he’s capable of elevating the team around him and that the Oilers don’t need to solely rely on him to hit the back of the net. I’m curious how this series plays out. But, until then, the last three playoff outings crashed the OVER so I’ll safely tackle that.
Michel's Pick: Oilers ML(-170)
Josie's Pick: OVER 6.0 (-122)
