NHL Playoffs Picks for Sunday, May 22nd 2022

There are three games on the NHL playoffs slate for Sunday starting in the afternoon.

Top NHL Bookies

The Panthers and Rangers are both desperate for a win after losing the first two games of their series. The Oilers head home in the Battle of Alberta with a 1-1 series split, so they have a chance to take the series lead.

Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Panthers vs. Lightning Picks

Best Bet: Under 6 Goals (+118)

We’re betting on under 6 goals in the first game on the slate. Both games have gone under the total in the series. TB won the series opener 4-1 and followed that up with a much closer 2-1 win in game 2.

Scoring has been a problem for the Panthers, especially when on the powerplay. Florida are 0-25 in the playoffs on the PP after finishing the regular season ranked #5 on the PP (24.4%).

The under is 6-2 in the last 8 H2H meetings between these two teams from Florida.

With the Panthers struggling to find goals, they need to come out playing strong defense.

NHL Odds

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Rangers

Hurricanes vs. Rangers Picks

Best Bet: Rangers ML (-101)

The Rangers have also struggled to find the back of the net in their second round series. Carolina won the first game 2-1 in overtime and then they took the second game 2-0 with a shutout by Antti Ranta.

The series has been played tightly despite the Rangers being down 2-0 in the series.

If the Rangers want to have any chance at coming back in this round, they need a win today. Igor Shesterkin has played well, but the offense needs to put some goals on the scoreboard.

One thing going for the Rangers is that they’re back at home. They went 30-10-2-3 at home this season. Carolina have also struggled playing in New York, going 9-27-1 in the last 37 H2H meetings in NY.

NHL Predictions

Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers

Flames vs. Oilers Picks

Best Bet: Oilers ML (-101)

It’s difficult to trust the Oilers because of poor goaltending, but the Oilers have been outplaying their bitter rival in this second round series and we’re getting a good price on them to take the series lead at home tonight.

Edmonton had two goals disallowed in game 2, but still won the game by two goals (5-3).

Connor McDavid has been playing great, Leon Draisaitl has been contributing and Zach Hyman looked great in game 2. Mike Smith also made 37 saves on 40 shots on goal in game 2, which was a solid enough performance.

The home team has often dominated this series. Calgary are just 1-6 in the last 7 H2H meetings in Edmonton.

The over has hit in both games this series, but it’s priced at over 6.5 goals (-139) for tonight, which is too much juice to lay when needing seven goals to cash. I’d stick with the Oilers are small underdogs.