HURRICANES-ISLANDERS PICKS
Brady Skjei OVER 0.5 assists at Islanders (+145, BetMGM)
Brandon Velaski — You could play it safer and go with over 0.5 points at +110, but the value is on the assist. Why? Skjei has not only tallied points in each of his last seven games dating back to the regular season, but he also has tallied a point in each of his last four games against the Islanders. And you guessed it: All the points were helpers. He’s an assist machine at the moment.
Hurricanes-Islanders OVER 5.5 goals (-115, BetMGM)
Brandon Velaski — These teams have squared off five times this season, and three of the matchups went over this total, including Monday’s Game 2 that featured eight goals in a 5-3 Carolina victory. I know the trend leads one to believe this will be tight, but the Islanders can’t afford to wait. They need to push the tempo and get back in this series, so I expect a ton of rubber thrown at both nets.
PANTHERS-LIGHTNING PICKS
Lightning ML vs. Panthers (-115, BetMGM)
Lou Saccomando — The Panthers did what they needed to do at home in Games 1 and 2. Now the series shifts to Tampa Bay. The Lightning played a little bit better in Game 2, and the home crowd should help them get off to a good start. This Tampa Bay squad has too much championship drive and veteran leadership to go down 3-0. So I love Tampa Bay making it a series.
Nikita Kucherov ATG vs. Panthers (+140, BetMGM)
Lou Saccomando — Kucherov has struggled in the first two games, managing only three shots on goal and a plus/minus of -1. In the regular season, he scored twice against Florida, one of the goals coming at home, and he generated 10 shots on goal. In order for the Lightning to get back into the series, they need their stars to step up. Steven Stamkos scored in Game 2 to tie the game. Look for Kucherov to light the lamp in Game 3.
NHL postseason record: 1-3, -2.45 units