Ryan Hodges
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Monday’s opening night of the NHL Playoffs brought 3 overtime periods across 2 of the 4 games and the underdogs pulled off the win in both those games. The same 8 teams go back at it tonight. The favorites in the Eastern Conference games went 2-0 and the underdogs in the Western Conference went 2-0. Edmonton and Dallas will be looking to avoid hitting the road down 2-0, while the Islanders and Panthers will look to gain home ice in the remainder of the series by splitting the first 2 games. The intensity should ramp up tonight and provide some great entertainment.
If you’re looking to combine a few plays that have value, check out this NHL mega parlay that has +858 odds with DraftKings Sportsbook.
New York Islanders ML (+150) vs Carolina Hurricanes
Dallas Stars ML (-150) vs Minnesota Wild
Edmonton Oilers -1.5 (+130) vs Los Angeles Kings
NHL parlay odds: +858
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New York Islanders ML (+150) vs Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina took Game 1 of this series by a narrow score of 2-1. Despite the loss, there were positives for the Islanders to take away and roll into Game 2. New York played more physically as they outhit Carolina and had more blocks. They allowed only 2 goals, both of which were on the power play, and were just a shot away from tying the game but the Islanders need to score more than 1 goal. If they clean up the penalties or at least convert on their power plays, Game 2 could have a different result. If the Islanders can flex that same goal prevention at 5-on-5 and clean up a few things, Game 2 should look a little better for them.
The writing was on the wall that this would be a low-scoring series. The Islanders and Hurricanes both excel in smothering opponents and minimizing chances against as reflected by their strong goal-prevention rankings. Both teams reinforced that strength in Game 1. With such a small margin of error in a high-stakes game between similarly built teams, the Islanders ML as an underdog has good value both as a single bet and as part of this parlay. They scored an average of 4 goals per game in their final 4 games of the regular season. New York has shown flashes of producing and it is not like they just do not have the ability. Even slightly better execution offensively can get them a win.
Make sure to check out our full analysis of Wednesday night’s slate.
Dallas Stars ML (-150) vs Minnesota Wild
Although it took multiple overtimes, the result of Game 1 in the Wild vs Stars series looked roughly as it should have considering the play in regulation. The Wild came away with a 3-2 win but could and maybe should have won by more. After 2 periods, Minnesota led 29-15 in shots. By the end of regulation, they had outshot Dallas 36-27. Netminder Jake Oettinger was arguably the best player for the Stars last year in the playoffs. He picked up right where he left off in terms of his postseason play. Oettinger kept Dallas in the game on Monday but it just wasn’t enough. All of this sounds great for the Wild. But the Stars did not play well enough to win and nobody knows that more than them.
The Stars ranked 3rd in goals allowed per game in the NHL regular season, so Monday’s performance is not surprising. But they also finished 7th in the league in goals scored per game. Both of those metrics were better than that of the Wild. Dallas was consistent all season and had rolled into the playoffs on a 6-game winning streak, going 10-2-1 in their last 13 games. The Stars are a good team and they are playing good hockey at the right time of year. They just poorly timed a night when things weren’t clicking. This roster is loaded with seasoned veterans who complement the team’s talent and depth. They can get the train back on the tracks for a Game 2 bounceback.
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Edmonton Oilers -1.5 (+130) vs Los Angeles Kings
It’s time for the Oilers to have a short memory and put Game 1 against the Kings out of their mind. They did a lot of things right, but the Kings really took it to them in the 3rd period, which ended up being the difference in the game. If Edmonton can channel its strong play from the first 2 periods and even overtime, the Oilers will be just fine in Game 2. They just can’t take their foot off the gas like that against a team such as the Kings. Los Angeles doubled up Edmonton in shots in the 3rd period. In just 9 minutes of overtime, it looked like the Oilers snapped out of it as they outshot the Kings 11-4 in those 9 minutes before Alex Iafallo converted on the power play to win the game. It was frustrating for Edmonton, but there were plenty of positives.
The Oilers’ Game 1 loss was their first defeat in 10 games. They still do not have a regulation loss in 16 games since March 11. That was also just the 2nd loss in their last 11 games at home. It is not like they are reeling and will go into panic mode after dropping one game. Edmonton played a very good 49 minutes, but the other 20 minutes when they didn’t play great bit them. They have the best player on the planet and get an opportunity on home ice to neutralize the series. This Oilers team has been in some kind of groove for a long time and they can bounce back looking to run up the score.
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