Top NHL Plays for Remaining Game One Matchups

• The Stanley Cup Playoffs continue today with four matchups to round out the rest of the series’ first games.
• The closest game by odds is easily the New Jersey Devils vs the New York Rangers, with the devils being favored by just -130 odds.
• Player props become slightly harder to predict for the playoffs, as all of the defenses remaining are near the top of the league.

NEWARK, N.J. – The Stanley Cup Playoffs continues Tuesday with the start of the last remaining matchups. High-stake series feature phenomenal matchups such as the Tampa Bay Lightning vs the Toronto Maple Leafs.

With nearly every team being high-caliber on both offense and defense, it is likely that the best plays available on legal betting sites will be in star goal scorers and opposing goalkeepers.

Cross-River Rivals Meet Again

The rivalry between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils is a storied one that has lasted for decades and will continue with the Devils hosting. In terms of the game lines, the best one is likely the Devils to win outright at -130 odds, as they have done so in three out of four matchups this season.

In terms of NHL player props, the top one would be Jack Hughes to be an anytime goal scorer at +130 odds. Despite not scoring in their most recent matchup, Hughes managed to log six goals in the four previous games. While playoff hockey will be in full effect, Hughes is no stranger to rifling in a puck past some of the best defenses and goaltenders around.

At a very nice value compared to his regular season lines, Hughes will likely find himself as the best goal scorer value on the board.

Top pick for this game: Jack Hughes Anytime Goal scorer (+130)

Battle of the Blue

Next, the Tampa Bay Lightning will be traveling to the Toronto Maple Leafs for their fourth matchup of the year. In the regular season, the Maple Leafs won two out of three games.

These two met in the playoffs last year, which resulted in a seven game tight series that eventually ended with the Lightning pulling out the victory. This could present a value with the Lightning being +135 underdogs.

Another trend from last year’s playoffs that is worth noting is how strong the over was for the total. Last year every game between the two had a total of 6.5 and hit the over in five out of seven games. This makes the over a very attractive pick with EVEN odds.

Top pick for this game: Over 6.0 total goals (EVEN)

Golden Knights Look for Fourth Straight Victory Over Jets

The Golden Knights come into this game hot off a three-win streak earlier in the regular season. However, it is unlikely that many of the game props will hold value as there is not much worth taking aside from the Golden Knights money line at -150. This pick does present a nice inclusion into a parlay though.

Among the player props, an intriguing one is for Connor Hellebuyck to get at least 30 saves, which comes in at -110 odds. In two starts against the Golden Knights this year Hellebuyck managed 27 saves in one and a whopping 46 in an overtime thriller.

With the Knights on a very hot streak that has seen them shoot at least 30 times in five straight games, there is value to be had in betting on the Jets goalkeeper to be peppered throughout the night. Also, the Golden Knights have shot 32 or more times in each of the three matchups vs the Jets this year, making this a strong play based off of history and recent play.

Top play for this game: Connor Hellebuyck at least 30 saves (-110)

Reigning Champs Look to Cruise Past Expansion Newcomers

The last game available is the Colorado Avalanche taking on the Seattle Kraken, who are a recent expansion team now playing in their first ever playoff game. Their matchup on the other hand is the reigning champions who no doubt hold a big edge over the Kraken in terms of experience and star power.

Unfortunately, with the game lines favoring the Avs by so much, there is little in terms of value. However, it may be worth sticking to the history that these two teams had in the regular season by taking the Kraken to cover the +1.5 puck line, as they have done so in five straight games.

For the players themselves, the Avalanche have Nathan MacKinnon, who is among the best players in the NHL and has a prop to log at least one power play point at -115 odds on legal sportsbooks. The Avalanche this year are sixth in power play percentage, which would likely be higher had MacKinnon not missed over 10 games.

With this in mind, MacKinnon has scored 34 total power play points in 71 games this year with 12 of them being goals. As one of the most dangerous men on the ice at any given point, a power play chance against the Kraken could unleash MacKinnon and allow him to notch either a goal himself or an assist to his various talented teammates.

Top play this game: Nathan MacKinnon to record one or more powerplay points (-115).