Ryan Hodges
Show Bio
If Monday night’s games are anything like what we saw on Saturday in these series then we’re in store for some pretty unbelievable hockey. All 4 games comfortably went over the totals as the games combined to average 8.5 goals. There were 3 upsets that weren’t even close and the Avalanche did what the Avalanche do. It’s getting to be crunch time as this first round progresses. These Game 4s on Monday night are going to bring a great pace and some desperation.
If you are looking to combine some picks from these games, check out these three parlay picks that have +1163 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Panthers vs Capitals over 6.5 (-130)
Penguins 3-way ML (+155)
Calgary Flames -1.5 (+180)
Parlay odds: +1163
Florida Panthers vs Washington Capitals over 6.5 (-130)
Right when it looked like Florida had snapped out of their funk with a dominating Game 2 win, they drop Game 3 by a score of 6-1. The Panthers have bounced back already once in the past week and there is no reason they can’t do it again. Washington outshot Florida by just 1 in Game 3 and scored 2 power-play goals. The Panthers are still getting chances. The Capitals are just executing better through 3 games. But as long as opportunities are still created, Washington can only hold off Florida’s offense for so long.
When Florida is successful, they score in bulk. They don’t win 2-1 barn burners. They win by scoring 4+ goals and pouring it on. Their goal prevention this season was just okay and that has reigned true in the playoffs. For all intents and purposes, Florida’s offense is their strength. They will lean on that strength to get back in the series. The Capitals have already shown the ability to score against the Panthers and should continue to do their part as well in sending games over the total.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Florida Panthers vs Washington Capitals
Pittsburgh Penguins 3-way ML (+155) over New York Rangers
The Penguins are overcoming a bit of injury adversity and finding a way to rally around Louis Domingue. Pittsburgh’s players are aware that the goalie matchup of Igor Shesterkin vs Domingue is an advantage for the Rangers. So what do they do in Game 3? Chase the Vezina favorite Shesterkin out of the game by scoring 4 goals on 15 shots and then win the game 7-4. That’ll put a jolt in the Penguins locker room.
Through 3 games in the series, the Penguins lead the Rangers in goals (4.33-4.00), shots (53.67-48.00), power-play goals (3-2), power-play percentage (33.33%-25%), and penalty kill percentage (75%-66.67%). The Penguins and their leadership know the importance of this Game 4. They want to avoid a 2-2 series going back to New York with the Rangers having home-ice advantage in the best-of-3. Pittsburgh has played well since the first drop of the puck in Game 1 and has not taken the foot off the gas. The Penguins’ big guns will come out looking to get a stranglehold on this series.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for New York Rangers vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Calgary Flames -1.5 (+180) over Dallas Stars
Despite the Flames being down 2-1 in the series, there is a lot they are doing right. The Flames have held Dallas to an average of 2 goals per game. They just need to find their offense that was 6th in the NHL in goal scoring in the regular season. Calgary has shown flashes of that offense as they have outshot Dallas all 3 games in this series just like they did in all 3 head to head games in the regular season. It is only a matter of time before the Flames put up a big number.
Calgary’s shots on goal per game have gone from 26 in game 1, to 29 in game 2, to 41 in game 3. The ice is opening up a bit more every game which is an advantage for Calgary more so than Dallas. The Flames’ offense is on the verge of breaking out. When it does break out, if Calgary can continue to keep Dallas from generating much offense, the Flames should win big. Calgary is an all-around better team that is flat-out getting beat right now. They’ll look to run up the score in this one and not look back the rest of the series.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Calgary Flames vs Dallas Stars
Pickswise is the home of free NHL Picks and NHL Predictions. Check back for our daily NHL Best Bets, including our favorite NHL Prop Bets.
