Here are tonight’s NHL predictions and best bets.

Pittsburgh Penguins (+100) at Philadelphia Flyers (-120)

Total 5.5 (Over, -120)
Flyers Lead Series 2-0

7 p.m. ET

It is going to be bonkers tonight when the Flyers hit the ice for their first home playoff game in six years. The series now shifts to Philadelphia for the next two games, and the Penguins hope to return the favor and make it 3-0 for the road teams in the series. This is the 19th time in the Flyers’ history that they have had a 2-0 series lead in the playoffs. They have won all 18 of their previous playoff series in this spot. 

Philadelphia has been able to dictate the tempo of the series and limit the Penguins to just two goals through the first two games, and both of those came in game one. The Penguins would prefer to play the type of game that involves trading chances. Pittsburgh scored four or more goals in 38 of their 41 wins in the regular season. 

In need of a win, the Penguins have made one lineup change. Justin Brazeau replaces Elmer Soderblom. Brazeau has four goals in seven career games versus the Flyers, including two this season. 

For the Flyers, I will continue to ride the Porter Martone train. The Flyers’ rookie scored in each of the first two games of the series and has a goal in six of his last eight games, along with points in nine of his last 10 games. He had six shots on goal in game two after having just one shot on goal (that found the back of the net) in the opener. He has had two shots on goal or more in eight of his 11 games. Sidney Crosby, still in search of his first goal of the series, leads the Penguins with seven shots on goal.

NHL Predictions and Best Bets: Justin Brazeau anytime goal (+480) – .05Porter Martone Over ½ assist (+172) – .50Porter Martone anytime goal (+200) – .50Sean Couturier anytime goal (+575) – .05Sidney Crosby anytime goal (+200) – .25Crosby/Martone 2+ SOG in regulation parlay (-140) – 2 unitsCrosby/Martone 3+ SOG in regulation parlay (+254) – 1 unit

Dallas Stars (+105) at Minnesota Wild (-130)

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Total 5.5 (Over, -140)
Series tied at 1

9:30 p.m. ET

The Minnesota Wild accomplished their goal in splitting the first two games of the series with the Dallas Stars, but it came with a price, as both Mats Zuccarello (missed game two) and Yakov Trenin (injured in game two) both could be out for multiple games in this series. Staying out of the penalty box is key for Minnesota in this series. The Stars have scored at least one power play goal (three total) in each of the first two games of the series. As the Wild’s Marcus Foligno puts it, “the Stars can’t hang with us 5 on 5.” 

I will once again be on a Jason Robertson anytime goal. The Dallas forward has 16 goals in 21 games versus the Wild and has scored the first goal of the game in each of his last three visits to Minnesota. The Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov, who scored in game one but was blanked in game two, has 10 goals in the 14 games he has faced Stars goalie Jake Oettinger. Brock Faber scored twice for Minnesota in game two and has points in four of his last six games against Dallas.

NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Brock Faber Over ½ assist (+196) – .25
Brock Faber anytime goal (+625) – .25
Jason Robertson anytime goal (+140) – 1.5 units
Jason Robertson 1st goal of the game (+950) – .05
Jason Robertson 1st Dallas goal of the game (+450) – .05
Kirill Kaprizov anytime goal (+140) – 1.5 units
Dallas Stars Money Line (+125) – 1 unit

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