Stanley Cup Playoff Picks: Best Bets for Hurricanes-Capitals, Golden Knights-Oilers

Another great weekend of hockey has come and gone! Fans and bettors now prepare for two more big contests on Monday night. Can Vegas and Washington even their series, or will Carolina and Edmonton gain further control? We roll with another Stanley Cup Playoff doubleheader on Monday night.

Carolina And Washington Know What Is At Stake

The Carolina Hurricanes have been very good in the playoffs at home over the past several postseasons. Game 3 saw them dominate on the scoreboard again as the Hurricanes covered for the third time in four games at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

While we know how controlled the Hurricanes play at home, is there anything Washington can do to get Carolina out of their comfort zone? The New Jersey Devils did it once in Game 5, but could not hold back the onslaught of the Hurricanes’ offense. Carolina eventually won 5-4 in overtime and advanced to the second round.

Here is where things get intriguing. Carolina finds ways to win by two or more goals. We saw it a lot during the regular season, but even in Games 1 and 2 against New Jersey, they kept attacking. Even if it meant scoring via the empty net, the Hurricanes were not content sitting back with a one-goal lead.

Could Logan Thompson steal a game in Carolina? It is possible. Jacob Markstrom almost did it twice. However, the depth of Carolina and its ability to play at home (whether ahead or behind) is well-established.

The problem with the series overall and in Game 4 is that Washington does not quite have the physicality and depth along four lines to stack up against Carolina. Carolina knows this, and Washington probably does, too. The Capitals can come close in a few games, increasing the risk. However, Carolina likely gets that 2+ goal margin to cover at home again.

Game 4 Best Bet: Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 Goals (EVEN) via DraftKings

Vegas Golden Knights vs Edmonton Oilers Game 4 Predictions

One will hear this often, but the Edmonton Oilers are going to Oil. What do we mean? Game 3 saw Edmonton play well enough to win, but the goaltending and an untimely carom meant there is now a series. With a puck going off Leon Draisaitl, Vegas was able to steal a game on the road at the last second.

As much as everyone would like to believe Edmonton bounces right back, the Oilers do not make any series easy. Even the last round against Los Angeles had to go six games. People forget how close the Oilers were to losing Game 4 in regulation and overtime.

Also, there is a way to play this safely and assume the goaltending will not be there. Stick to playing the over and hope we do not see what happened in Florida on Sunday. Suddenly, the Maple Leafs’ sticks went silent and Florida grinded its way to a 2-0 win that appeared to demoralize Toronto.

Both teams can score four goals in any game, but Edmonton feels like the more likely wager for this one on Monday night.

Best Pick: Edmonton Oilers Over 3.5 Goals (-115 via Caesars)

Another Wager From The Cheap Seats

Both series on Monday night have been fun to study, analyze, and ultimately bet on. A losing record can sometimes still win. Connecting on several longer shots can be profitable.

Leon Draisaitl will emerge a man possessed after what happened in Game 3. He could score the first goal very well on the power play. Now, the first goal scorer rumbles in at +800. There is also an either option via BetMGM for Draisaitl or Connor McDavid at +400.

Drasaitl getting 5+ shots on goal is now at +310, which is not unreasonable here. However, expecting the forward to pot two goals is right there for the taking!

Pick: Leon Draisaitl 2+ goals scored on Monday night (+600 via BetMGM)