NHL Prognostications: Specialist Opinions on Thursday (1st of May)
NHL Picks for May 1: The Last Dance
Time to put on your hockey jersey and get ready for some electric action on the ice! Here's a breakdown of Thursday's NHL games and expert picks.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Ottawa Senators (-120, 5.5) - Game Six
Leafs lead series 3-2 | 7 p.m. ET
Toronto, we've heard you loud and clear. Lose another game and it's back to the drawing board. With a win-or-go-home situation, a revitalized Senators team looked confident in Game Four and vowed to return for Game Six. Captain Brady Tkachuk, with a boisterous spirit, promised to match the city's excitement and bring home a victory.
Some interesting betting options include:- Brady Tkachuk Over 3.5 shots on goal (-155) - 2 units: With Tkachuk taking a shot in every minute of play, this one seems like a no-brainer.- Empty net goal (+115) - .25 units: Who knows, maybe we'll see a goaltender take one for the team.- 3 period Over 2 goals (-102) - .25 units: A safe pick for a high-intensity game that's sure to keep everyone on the edge of their seats.
Vegas Golden Knights (160, 5.5) vs Minnesota Wild
Golden Knights lead series 3-2 | 7:30 p.m. ET
This series has been an unforgettable rollercoaster ride of excitement, as evidenced by the back-to-back overtime games and six-goal counts in four out of five games. The loss of Pavel Dorofeyev means that Victor Olofsson will be stepping into the lineup as the number one power play candidate.
Some betting recommendations:- 1 Period Over 1.5 goals (-116) - 1 unit: Given this series' track record, the parties don't seem to waste any time getting the action started.- 1 Period Both Teams to Score (+180) - .50 units: A more risky bet, but can be a fun way to inject some spice into your night.- Jack Eichel Over 2.5 shots on goal/regulation only (-120) - 1 unit: With a strong performance in the last two games, Eichel is proving his worth to FanDuel.
Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche (-190, 6.5)
Series lead: Stars 3-2 | 9:30 p.m. ET
The Colorado Avalanche look to avoid the embarrassment of being eliminated by the Dallas Stars for an unprecedented second consecutive year. Despite missing their top defenseman Miro Heiskanen and leading goal scorer Jason Robertson, the Stars have fought valiantly.
Betting options:- Colorado Avalanche to score the first goal (+145) - .50 units: A great way to support the Avalanche early in the match and potentially reap some big rewards.- Nathan MacKinnon Over 3.5 shots on goal (-164) - 2.5 units: Widely regarded as the best shooter in the league, MacKinniknons' 31 shots on goal thus far can only climb higher.- Mikko Rantanen Over 2.5 shots on goal (+110) - .50 units: While Rantanen has been relatively quiet so far, there's always a chance for breakout performances in high-pressure situations like these.
Los Angeles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers (-170, 5.5)
Series lead: Oilers 3-2 | 10 p.m. ET
The Los Angeles Kings face an uphill battle after losing the home court advantage. The Oilers have been dominating the series and Edmonton opened as a (-135) favorite, now steamed up to (-170).
Some recommendations:- Edmonton Oilers -1.5 goals (+152) - .25 units: Given the Oilers' stranglehold on the series thus far, Edmonton could have enough firepower to win by more than one goal.- Empty net goal (+290) - .25 units: Potential long shot, but the Kings have allowed significant chances on empty nets, making this an intriguing underdog play.- Connor McDavid point/Evander Kane Over 2.5 shots on goal (+148) - .25 units: McDavid's on a heater, scorching the opposition, and Kane has arguably been the Oilers' most deadly shooter this postseason.
Expert picks for May 1 make some bold predictions for the NHL games. For instance, in the Toronto Maple Leafs vs Ottawa Senators game, Brady Tkachuk is tipped to have over 3.5 shots on goal given his regular shooting rate. Meanwhile, in the Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche, Nathan MacKinnon is anticipated to surpass 3.5 shots on goal, showcasing his reputation as an elite shooter. On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Kings face a challenging task against the dominating Edmonton Oilers, with Connor McDavid and Evander Kane expected to have over 2.5 shots on goal combined. Lastly, in the Vegas Golden Knights vs Minnesota Wild game, Victor Olofsson is recommended as the number one power play candidate after Pavel Dorofeyev's absence.
