NHL Forecasts: Proficient Estimations for Thursday, 24th April
Here's what the experts are predicting for Thursday night's NHL action!
Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (-125, 5.5)
Game Two
6:30 p.m. ET
The Panthers handed the Lightning a 6-2 thrashing in Game One, leaving the Bolts searching for answers. Andrei Vasilevskiy gave up six goals on just 17 shots, and superstar Matthew Tkachuk scored twice (PPG) and added an assist despite limited ice time. Anthony Cirelli, Tampa's top PK forward and second-line center, was injured in Game One and is a game-time decision for tonight [3]. If he can't go, expecting Nick Paul to fill his shoes.
The Lightning will silence the critics tonight, with Tampa to score the first goal of the game and in the opening 20 minutes. Tampa's Brayden Point (seven goals in 12 playoff games against the Panthers) and Jake Guentzel (6 goals vs. Panthers' Bobrovsky) look to continue their scoring streaks.
Florida's Brad Marchand has been playing calm and composed, earning an assist in Game One and poised to deliver tonight. Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart each netted goals in Game One, and we're betting on them to repeat the feat. Reinhart has five goals against Vasilevskiy, while Bennett, a solid second-line center, offers great value at +340 to score tonight.
Embrace the excitement with the Tkachuk brothers parlay – Matthew and Brady both to score a goal tonight (+780)!
Game Two Scores:
Tampa Bay Lightning to score 1 and 1 period (+125) - .50 unitsBrayden Point anytime goal (+155) - .20 unitsJake Guentzel anytime goal (+175) - .20 unitsBrad Marchand over 1/2 point (+124) - .20 unitsSam Reinhart anytime goal (+195) - .20 unitsSam Bennett anytime goal (+340) - .20 unitsMatthew Tkachuk anytime goal (+220) - .20 unitsMatthew and Brady Tkachuk anytime goal parlay (+780) - .10 units
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators (-125, 5.5)
Game Three
7 p.m. ET
The Sens moved to favoritism after their home opener at Canada's capital, hosting their first playoff game in eight years. However, their "must-win" sentiment doesn't guarantee a victory – let's stick with prop plays instead.
Toronto's power play has been overwhelming, scoring on four of seven opportunities in the first two games. John Tavares and Mitch Marner each have three power-play points, with Auston Matthews yet to open his series account. Matthews scored 12 goals against Ottawa's Linus Ullmark in the regular season and found the back of the net once against him when he was with the Bruins.
Ottawa's Brady Tkachuk has been bombarding the net, taking a staggering five shots on goal in each of the first two games. Expect him to extend the trend, with Tkachuk over 4.5 shots on goal (+165). Claude Giroux, sensational with 82 points in 97 career playoff games, averages over a point a game against Toronto.
I've got a sneaky feeling Ottawa will break the ice first, with the Sens to score during the opening 17 minutes (+265).
Game Three Scores:
Mitch Marner over 1/2 Power Play Point (+185) - .20 unitsJohn Tavares over 1/2 Power Play Point (+210) - .20 unitsAuston Matthews anytime goal (+155) - .20 unitsThomas Chabot over 1/2 assist (+190) - .20 unitsClaude Giroux over 1/2 point (+128) - .20 unitsDavid Perron anytime goal (+500) - .20 unitsMatthew Knies anytime goal (+290) - .20 unitsBrady Tkachuk anytime goal (+170) - .20 unitsBrady Tkachuk over 4.5 shots on goal (+165) - .20 unitsOttawa Senators to score during opening 17 minutes (+265) - .20 units
The experts predict that Brayden Point will score the first goal of Game Two for the Tampa Bay Lightning, which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET against the Florida Panthers [1]. In Game Three between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators, John Tavares and Mitch Marner each have three power-play points and are expected to continue their strong performance [2]. The Lightning will silence their critics, while the Sens might break the ice first in Game Three [3]. Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, brothers in both teams, have a chance to score in the same game with a parlay (+780) for Game Two, and Brady Tkachuk is expected to take over 4.5 shots on goal (+165) in Game Three for the Ottawa Senators [4].
