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The 2022 NHL playoffs got underway on Monday. All eight teams will be back at it tonight. Carolina and Toronto captured their home openers while St. Louis and Los Angeles each won on the road in Game 1.
Game 2 of an NHL playoff series is critical. Neither team wants to fall behind 2-0, especially Minnesota or Edmonton as they would have to travel to St. Louis and Edmonton, respectively, for Game 3.
How will it play out tonight? Here’s a look at the NHL playoffs picks for Wednesday, May 4, 2022.
Boston Bruins vs. Carolina Hurricanes
Pick: HURRICANES -114
Carolina proved why it is the most underrated of all playoff teams to win the Stanley Cup. The Hurricanes clamped down on Boston and held them to a single goal.
At the same time, they went off for five of their own on the other end. The Hurricanes have now won seven straight and they are 4-1 in their last five at home.
Carolina has now beaten Boston in four straight games. The Hurricanes have won those four by a combined score of 21-2. At home, back the favorite.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Lightning vs. Maple Leafs Preview
Pick: LIGHTNING +110
What happened in Game 1 of this series isn’t going to happen again tonight. The Lightning faced more high danger shots than any playoff team in their first game. While Tampa Bay lost 5-0, they weren’t as bad on offense as it looks.
The Lightning actually ranked fifth out of all playoff teams in expected goals. They just didn’t convert in Game 1.
Goaltender Andrei Vailevskiy won’t be off his game like he was in Game 1. Remember, he’s a former Vezina Trophy winner and he finished the regular season ranked fourth in goals saved above expected. Tampa Bay ranked in the top 10 in expected goals against and goals allowed. Don’t expect a repeat of Game 1 as the Lightning come ready to steal a game in Toronto. Take the plus-money odds here.
St. Louis Blues vs. Minnesota Wild
Pick: OVER 6.5
The Blues jumped all over the Wild in Game 1. St. Louis has owned Minnesota going 9-0-1 in the last ten games between the two teams.
In Game 2, the Wild have their backs against a wall. They can’t afford to go down 0-2 in the series. Blues goalie Ville Husso isn’t likely to stop all 37 shots like he did in Game 1.
The total has gone Over in four of the last five Blues games and in four of the last five Blues-Wild games. This one goes Over too.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers
Pick: OVER 6.5
Game 1 of this series went Over and Game 2 is headed there as well. Remember, the biggest knock on Edmonton is its goaltending. They changed during the season and went with 40-year-old Mike Smith. That cost them in Game 1.
The Oilers have two of the top three scorers in the NHL in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Evander Kane had a four-game scoring streak near the end of the regular season. Don’t forget, Anze Kopitar of the Kings is a legitimate scorer and he was held without a point in Game 1. He’s due.
The Over is 5-2 in the last seven Oilers games and 43-36-4 for the season. Expect more out of Edmonton too. They are 9-3 SU in the last 12 against the Kings on the road.
