Here are tonight’s NHL predictions and best bets.

Carolina Hurricanes (-185) at Philadelphia Flyers (+165)

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Total 5.5 (Under, -145)Hurricanes lead series 3-0

6 p.m. ET

The Philadelphia Flyers face the daunting task of trying to come back from a 3-0 series deficit against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Flyers have lost 19 of the last 21 head-to-head meetings against Carolina (regular season and playoffs). A Carolina victory in game four would put them into the history books as the first NHL team to start the playoffs with back-to-back series sweeps since the NHL went to the format in 1987 of four rounds of seven games. 

The Hurricanes have yet to give up more than two goals in any playoff game this season’s playoffs. The Flyers looked like they were going to be the first team to score at least three goals against the Hurricanes when they struck for two first period goals in a 39-second span, only to be held without a goal for the next 73 minutes and 13 seconds as Carolina would go on to win game two, 3-2 in overtime. Game two was the only game in this year’s playoffs that the Flyers have struck for a first period goal. 

Carolina’s leading goal scorer Logan Stankoven has now gone back-to-back games without a goal after opening the playoffs with goals in each of the first five games. Game three for Carolina saw three Canes players score their first goal of the playoffs (Jordan Staal, Jalen Chatfield and Andrei Svechnikov), giving Carolina 10 different players with a goal in this year’s postseason (tied with Montreal and Vegas for the fewest among remaining playoff teams). Stankoven’s streak of 11 consecutive playoff games with at least one shot on goal in the first period came to an end in game three. I will come back with Stankoven in game four to record one shot on goal in the first period and his full game prop of Over 2.5 shots on goal. Taylor has points in six of his seven playoff games. Jackson Blake has points in five of seven games.

NHL Predictions and Best Bets: Philadelphia Flyers 1st period Under ½ (-135) – ½ unitCarolina Hurricanes ML/Stankoven 2+ shots (-110) – 1 unitLogan Stankoven 1+ shot on goal/1st period (-160) – 1 unitLogan Stankoven 3+ shots on goal (-120) – 1 unitBlake/Hall each Over ½ point parlay (+174) – ½ unit

Colorado Avalanche (-135) at Minnesota Wild (+110)

Total 6.5 (Under, -110)Avalanche lead series 2-0

9 p.m. ET

The Colorado Avalanche have a big opportunity tonight to put a lock in the series with a win and take a commanding 3-0 series lead. The Wild’s top center, Joel Eriksson Ek could make his series debut tonight. Eriksson Ek was injured in the series-clinching game against the Dallas Stars is a game-time decision, according to Minnesota head coach John Hynes. It’s been eight days since the Wild center played a game and he has yet to participate in a full practice with the team. Hynes said on Friday that even though Eriksson Ek has yet to practice, there is still a chance he could play in Game 3.

Without their number one center, the Wild have not had an answer to slow down Nathan MacKinnon. MacKinnon, who was named a finalist for the Hart Trophy (league MVP) earlier this week, has had three points in each of the first two games of the series. In addition to not being able to contain MacKinnon, the Wild have not been able to correct their issues when killing penalties. The Wild were torched by the Dallas Stars, who scored 10 power-play goals in their round one series. The Avalanche have three power-play goals through the first two games. DraftKings is one site that offers a team to score a power play goal (it is under the goal scorer tab at the bottom). 

A couple of player props on my card. Nathan MacKinnon has had at least four shots on goal in all three games of the series and in five of his seven playoff games this year. The Wild’s Matt Boldy is second in this year’s playoffs with 37 shots on goal despite being held to one shot on goal in game two. Being back at home and the Wild having last change, I expect Boldy to have at least three shots on goal and will parlay him with Nathan MacKinnon (4+ shots). If Eriksson Ek does not play tonight, then give me Vladimir Tarasenko for Over 1.5 shots on goal. As I documented in the game two preview, Tarasenko’s shot volume goes up without Ek in the lineup. He cashed his shot prop in game two for the 12th time in the last 13 games without the Wild centerman in the lineup.

NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Colorado Avalanche power play goal (-110) – 1 unit
Matt Boldy 3+ shots/MacKinnon 4+ shots (-115) – 1 unit
IF NO ERIKSSON EK IN THE LINEUP – Tarasenko Over 1.5 shots on goal (-130) – 1 unit

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