You’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating: There’s nothing like playoff hockey.
Upsets are becoming the norm in the 2023 NHL Playoffs. Road underdogs swept the board Tuesday night, with the Rangers, Lightning, Kraken, and Jets all taking a 1-0 lead in their respective series.
In this edition of NHL Playoff picks & parlays, we’re focusing most of our energy on Wednesday night’s Game 2 of the Islanders-Hurricanes series. Why? Because, in our view, it’s the most predictable of all eight opening-round series. Kings-Oilers also merits attention, as Edmonton looks to level the series after yet another upset.
Live Stanley Cup Odds: NHL Futures for 2023 Playoff Teams
Islanders-Hurricanes Game 2 Betting Lines
Here are Islanders vs. Hurricanes odds for Game 2 at PNC Arena in Raleigh. Always compare the betting lines being offered at top-rated online sportsbooks before making your NHL Playoff picks and parlays.
Expect Canes to Take Control on Home Ice
Carolina boasts one of the biggest home-ice advantages in the NHL. The Hurricanes are 8-1 in their last nine playoff games at PNC Arena dating back to last season.
Playoff cellies just hit different pic.twitter.com/tcgUwyiWsT
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) April 18, 2023
Antti Raanta will get his second start in net for Carolina, which bodes well for the Hurricanes. Raanta won his seventh consecutive playoff game at PNC Arena in Monday’s 2-1 win over the Islanders.
We’re expecting a similar game script to play out tonight, with Carolina limiting New York’s scoring chances. Raanta faced only 26 shots in the opener, and the Hurricanes peppered Isles goalie Ilya Sorokin with 37 shots.
To say nothing of scoring, New York had difficulty just breaking out of its own zone in Game 1. That’s a credit to Carolina’s defensive system, which helped the Canes limit opponents to 2.55 goals per game in the regular season. Carolina ranked second in the league, trailing only Boston in that metric.
Islanders-Hurricanes Betting Picks
Instead of betting Carolina on the moneyline at -170, take the Hurricanes on the three-way line at -105. This means they have to win the game in regulation.
The second wager here is on the Under 5.5 at -140. How’s this for top-level analysis? The Islanders simply don’t score enough. They ranked in the bottom third of the league with 242 goals during the regular season.
Now, let’s take a look at Kings-Oilers odds on the best sports betting apps.
Kings-Oilers Betting Analysis
Edmonton’s Connor McDavid was held scoreless in Monday’s 4-3 overtime loss to Los Angeles. McDavid, who led the NHL with 64 goals in the regular season, did have five shots on goal to go Over his prop in Game 1.
As mentioned, road dogs dominated last night’s playoff action. We’re expecting things to balance out tonight with both the Hurricanes and Oilers taking care of business on home ice.
Edmonton dropped the first game in last year’s series against LA, but came back to win in seven games. The Oilers need to cut down on penalties in Game 2 after being whistled for six in the opener.
Look for McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who scored twice in Game 1, to propel Edmonton to victory and even the series. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman are also capable of lighting the lamp after both scored 35+ goals in the regular season.
Kings-Oilers Picks & Parlay
We’re playing the Oilers on the puckline at Caesars. It’s not great value laying 1.5 goals, but you’ll get plus-money on Edmonton at +115.
Also, consider betting a moneyline parlay on the Oilers (-235) and Hurricanes (-170) tonight. At odds of +126, a $100 will pay out $126 in winnings (and your $100 stake back), and you have a 44.17% implied probability of winning.
Good luck and enjoy the games!
More NHL Playoff betting action: Bruins vs. Panthers prediction, odds props | Kings vs. Oilers prediction, odds props | Wild vs. Stars predictions, odds, props
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