Happy Tuesday, hockey fans! I hope everyone is enjoying the Stanley Cup Playoff action, although some teams are already starting to pull away into the second round! 

 

 

 

NHL Picks, Predictions, & Best Bets Today, 4/30

It's been a really chalky first round so far, but I see some teams ready to mount a comeback in some select series – looking at you, Nashville! Today, I have a pair of wagers on the moneyline for you to consider, including some NHL picks for tomorrow’s action as well to help you stay in the action every single day this postseason! 

If you agree with the rationale, feel free to tail and enjoy the games! Now, let's dive into my expert NHL Best Bets today.

  • Playoff Record: 9-6-0
  • Bankroll: +2.2 Units

*Below are my NHL predictions along with their matching NHL odds. Make sure you follow me on twitter @jwaggs10!

 

 

 

Islanders vs. Hurricanes Prediction

I am going to come right out in front to start today’s NHL predictions and say this: the series ends tonight, and I am unwavering in that opinion! The Islanders took Game 4 in front of the home fans and that’s great for hockey on Long Island, but even in victory they were outplayed. 

They were outshot 44-35 in on goal targets and overall had 22 giveaways. You can’t play that way and expect to win many games. The series now shifts south to Carolina, where the Hurricanes are 2-0 and are outscoring the Islanders 8-4 in total goals. The top line of Jake Guentzel, Sebastian Aho has been quiet too in this series, and that’s a bad omen for New York as the stats will correct themselves with their Corsi rating of 64%. 

Expect the goals to pop up here finally and goaltender Frederik Andersen to continue his dominant play. Snag the Canes to take Game 5 and the series tonight at home in regulation for some better odds. 

 

 

 

Predators vs. Canucks Prediction

Let me first say that I’m disappointed the way this series shook out for the Predators as I believe, and the stats indicate, that this series should be closer than it is, and they deserved better. Funny thing about hockey though is the fact that sometimes you’re just snake bitten, and it doesn’t matter how much you dominate a game. 

Take Game 3, for example. The Preds outshot the Canucks 30-12 and still lost the game to the fewest shots on goal in playoff franchise history. Then there was Game 4 when they entered the final 3 minutes up by two goals, only to allow a pair of 6 on 5 goals and lose in OT. 

I only mention all of this to show you the Predators do truly deserve better, and while I don’t think they can win the series at this point, I think they can fight for a win tonight. I don’t trust Arturs Silovs to tend the net perfectly either, so give me Nashville to get the win tonight and force a Game 6 to finish my NHL picks today!

 

 

 

NHL Predictions: Expert Bets For Wednesday, 5/1