Mark Lammey
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With the first night of the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs in the books, we get to see the Game 1s of the other 4 series. Similar to Monday night, we’ll have 2 from each conference taking center stage on ESPN networks and TBS. Also like last night, the Eastern Conference clashes are expected to be the closer of the matchups. Both are divisional rivalries, which only adds to the excitement. Close contests can make it difficult to predict a winner, but we’ve targeted the spots with the most value to create an NHL mega parlay to provide you with a big payout. Along with our NHL mega parlay, be sure to check out all of our NHL picks for today’s action.
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New Jersey Devils 3-way ML over New York Rangers (+120)
First up is indeed the first puck-drop of the night. This Metro Division battle is priced to be the closest series out of the entire first round. While we’d love to enjoy a 7-game series, we’ll back the Devils on home ice to open things up. New Jersey has been the surprise story of the NHL with 21-year-old Jack Hughes truly emerging. Now his little brother is even on the team to go along with their acquisition of Timo Meier at the trade deadline. That boost in offense is what should make the difference tonight.
Both teams are top-tier defensively, but the Devils have the clear advantage when it comes to goal-scoring. The Rangers did add Patrick Kane themselves, but they simply aren’t as explosive in terms of finding the back of the net. New Jersey proved that by defeating New York in 3 of their 4 meetings this season, including both of their home games. In fact, one was as recent as just over 2 weeks ago. This play may be the biggest sweat of the night, but we’ll trust the Devils’ superior offense to be the difference.
Be sure to check out our New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils predictions
Toronto Maple Leafs 3-way ML over Tampa Bay Lightning (+110)
Not long after the Metro Division rivalry drops the puck, we have a classic Atlantic Division rivalry following suit. This is a rematch of last year’s postseason, which the Lightning took in 7 games. Despite them coming out on top, many felt as though the Leafs were the better team. This was the first playoff series to be set this season, and Toronto has been the favorite from the jump. Oddsmakers have not wavered, as they’re also the clear favorites tonight. Part of that is due to being on home ice, and they’ll have the advantage for the series as a whole.
Toronto just beat Tampa at home a week ago, which was their 2nd straight win against them this season. That helped them finish the season with an impressive 27-8-6 record at home, which was the 3rd-best in the NHL. Tampa actually had the 2nd-best home record, but their splits are severe. On the road, they went just 18-22-1, which was the 9th-worst in the league. Teams that didn’t even make the playoffs like the Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues were better on the road than the Lightning. That’s not to say this won’t be a close series, but we’ll trust the Leafs up in Toronto for Game 1.
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Colorado Avalanche -1.5 over Seattle Kraken (+140)
Let’s finally get to a Western Conference matchup. The defending Stanley Cup champs host a team that has been a franchise for just 2 seasons. There’s no denying that the Kraken’s turnaround has been impressive, and they have one of the favorites to win the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year in Matty Beniers. However, the Avs are the biggest favorites in the Western Conference to win their first-round series. While Seattle has been a feel-good story this year, they simply don’t have the firepower to keep up with Colorado.
Even without Gabriel Landeskog, the Avs have two 100-point skaters in Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. Meanwhile, the Kraken didn’t have a single skater even average a point per game this year. Let’s also not forget that Colorado also has the defending Norris Trophy winner for the best defenseman in Cale Makar, who they allowed to get healthy down the stretch. They may not have been as dominant this year, but the Avs still won the Central Division. This was a big step for Seattle, but we expect Colorado to simply be too much to handle.
Be sure to check out our Seattle Kraken vs Colorado Avalanche prediction
Tuesday’s NHL mega parlay (4/18)
Devils 3-way ML (+120)
Maple Leafs 3-way ML (+110)
Avalanche -1.5 (+140)
NHL parlay odds: +1008
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