The Seattle Kraken are at it again, having gone to Dallas and stolen Game 1 against the Stars. The Kraken roared out of the gate with a four-goal first period, and while the Stars stopped the bleeding and got four goals out of Joe Pavelski to force overtime, the Kraken still got the game-winner, prevailing 5-4. In the Eastern Conference, the Florida Panthers continue their magical run; after overcoming a 3-1 deficit in the first round and knocking out the top-seeded Boston Bruins in seven games, they went to Toronto and gook Game 1. Both of these series continue on Thursday evening, so let’s take a look at your best NHL betting choices for each Game 2.
NHL Betting News: Playoff Preview for May 4
Florida Panthers (+170) at Toronto Maple Leafs (O/U 7) (7:00 pm ET, TNT)
In the first round, the Panthers scored 26 goals in seven games, and that prolific offense continued in the second round as they doubled up the Leafs, 4-2. Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, Aleksander Barkov combined for a goal and six assists and have among them ten goals and 19 assists in the postseason. Defenseman Brandon Montour had the fourth goal in Game 1 and has six goals and three assists so far in the playoffs.
The defense stood tall in Game 1, limiting a stout Leafs offense to just those two goals and shutting them out completely in the third period. The top pairing in terms of ice time has been Aaron Ekblad and Gustav Forsling, but every blueliner stood tall, causing turnovers and getting down to block shots. Sergei Bobrovsky was immense in Game 1, stopping 34 of 36 shots. If you like Florida, you see their combination of speed on offense and diligent attention to assignment on defense (and larcenous netminding) paying off again.
Toronto had 23 goals in six games as they knocked off Tampa Bay in the first round, but the tip line of Michael Bunting, Ryan O’Reilly and Auston Matthews only managed a goal and two assists in the second-round opener. John Tavares, William Nylander and Mitch Marner combined for eight goals and 17 assists in the first round but failed to post a point in Game 1.
The defense was a bit porous for Toronto in the opener, but Ilya Samsonov also failed to show the same form he showed in the Leafs’ wins over the Lightning. He permitted four goals on just 28 shots, and he needs to get back on his game for the Leafs to get the equalizer. Maple Leafs to win.
Bet on the Panthers vs Maple Leafs!
Seattle Kraken (+170) at Dallas Stars (O/U 5.5) (9:30 pm ET, TNT)
Seattle knocked off Colorado in the first round despite only scoring 18 goals in seven games. However, that offense went nuts in Dallas, getting four goals in the first period and the winner in overtime. Yanni Gourde, Morgan Geekie and Jaden Schwartz combined for two goals and an assist in the opener, and Jordan Eberle, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Matthew Beniers combined for two goals and two assists. Defensemen Justin Schultz, Jamie Oleksiak and Vince Dunn added a goal and two assists.
The Seattle defense did permit two goals in that opening period and four for the game. Except for Dunn and Schultz, the other Kraken pairings left way too many shots open, and Philipp Grubauer ended up allowing four goals on 35 shots.
The Stars did rally nicely in the third period to tie the game, as Joe Pavelski returned from the concussion protocol to score all of the goals himself. Max Domi, Jamie Benn and Mason Marchment combined for five assists, and defensemen Miro Heiskanen and Jani Hakanpaa added an assist apiece.
The defense was ridiculous in the first period, allowing look after open look. Jake Oettinger did his best under the onslaught, permitting five goals on 44 shots. The defense also suffered from lapses in overtime, an issue that plagued the team during the regular season as well. Stars to win.
Bet on the Kraken vs Stars!
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