There's a lot of built-in pressure on the Canucks hosting their first Stanley Cup game in nine years. I believe the Predators - an excellent road team at 24-14-3 - can steal this first one in Vancouver.

I have a lot of faith and respect for forward Filip Forsberg, defenseman Roman Josi and goalie Juuse Saros, all of whom rank among the best at their respective positions. 

Vancouver did sweep Nashville, 3-0, during the regular season. However, all three of those victories came before Christmas. The Predators became a much stronger team during the second half of the season.

Boston owned Toronto during the regular season winning all four games, including capturing the last two meetings by three goals apiece in each game. 

Toronto has a sad playoff history and enters this opening game matchup on a four-game losing streak giving up 22 goals during this span.

Defense always is a key especially in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Bruins ranked sixth defensively. They held Toronto to one goal each during the previous two meetings. 

The Maple Leafs were 21st defensive and 23rd on the penalty kill.

At this price, I'm going to take a shot on the Blackhawks. The Kings have clinched a playoff berth. So they could be resting players to get ready for the Stanley Cup.

The Kings still could clinch third place in the Pacific Division if they win and somehow the visiting heavily underdog Ducks upset the Golden Knights. But even if that were to happen, the Kings would meet the Oilers in the first round. That's not an ideal matchup for the Kings, who have been eliminated in the first round by Edmonton each of the past two seasons.

Chicago has lost five in a row. Prior to that, though, the Blackhawks upset the Stars. The Blackhawks also played the Golden Knights tough in Las Vegas during their previous game. Chicago trailed by one goal late in the game before pulling its goalie and losing by two goals when the Golden Knights scored an empty net goal.

I'm going to accept this price on the home underdog Coyotes, who are likely playing their final game in Arizona. The team is expected to move to Salt Lake City next season.

The Coyotes are 4-2 in their last six games. Playing at 5,000-seat Mullett Arena on the Arizona State campus is tough enough for opponents, but it should be especially difficult for the Oilers because of the Coyotes' added motivation.

"We want to play our last game with class, with respect and give the best effort that crowd can expect," Coyotes coach Andre Tourigny was quoted as saying. "We want to make sure we are remembered as a group who fought with every last ounce we have in our body."

The Oilers have had a wild ride this season. But they have secured home-ice advantage for the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. This is just their second road game in two weeks.

I see the Red Wings winning this game by multiple goals. It's Detroit's final regular season home game and the Red Wings are fired-up after upsetting the Maple Leafs on the road this past Saturday. That dramatic overtime victory keep the Red Wings' playoff hopes alive.

The Canadiens are 1-5 in their last six games and out of playoff contention. 

Vancouver is leading the Pacific Division. But the Canucks have been struggling since losing their top goalie, Thatcher Demko, to a lower body injury.

The Canucks are 2-4 in their last six games and 5-6 in their past 11 games. None of the victories during this span have been against a playoff team.

The Golden Knights are the best team the Canucks have played in this time frame. Las Vegas is going to be highly motivated after shockingly blowing a 4-1 lead to Arizona in a stunning, 7-4, road loss to the Coyotes this past Friday. The Golden Knights had the weekend to stew about that defeat.

That loss snapped a three-game Golden Knights' win streak. Las Vegas is 6-2 in its last eight games.

The Golden Knights will get a boost, too, with Tomas Hertl in the lineup for the first time since he was acquired from the Sharks a month ago. He had been out with a knee injury.

Las Vegas has scored four or more goals in four of its last five games. The Canucks have allowed 13 goals in their last three games. There's a huge drop-off from Thatcher to backups Casey DeSmith or Arturs Silovs.

The Coyotes have a winning record at Mullett Arena. They've won five of their last seven home games.

Vancouver is not in good form. The Canucks have lost three of their last four games, including a bad, 6-3, road loss to the Golden Knights last night.

Third-string goalie Arturs Silovs is expected to be in net for the Canucks today. This would only be his second NHL start of the season. Arizona has scored 19 goals in its last three games.

Nashville is a blistering 15-2 in its last 17 games with five consecutive victories. The Predators are riding a franchise-record 17-game point streak.

The Predators are home and have had ample rest and preparation time. Their last game was this past Saturday in Nashville.

Las Vegas has won three in a row, but played bad offenses during this stretch and have a high fatigue rating. The Golden Knights also could be starting third-string goalie Jiri Patera.

This is the Golden Knights' fourth game in six days and second in two nights. Their three straight victories have been against the Blues (26th in scoring), Blue Jackets (31st in scoring) and Kraken (29th in scoring).

The last time Las Vegas played a strong offensive team was four games ago in a 5-3 home loss to the Lightning.

The Golden Knights just got through nipping the Blues on the road, 2-1, in overtime Monday night. Logan Thompson was outstanding in goal for Las Vegas.

Las Vegas, though, brought up Patera this past Sunday with the expectation that he likely would be in net for this game since Thompson played last night and Adin Hill was injured this past Saturday. Patera has by far the highest goals against average of Las Vegas' three goalies at 3.75. Patera has made five appearances this season and has a 1-3 record.

The Predators rank 12th in scoring and have allowed only five goals during their past five games.

The home 'dog Blues are not getting enough respect here. All the Blues have done is go 6-1 in their last seven games with the only loss during this span coming to the Avalanche by one goal.

St. Louis has scored at least three goals in each of its last seven games. The Golden Knights' defense is down from last season. 

Colorado is fat and happy having won the first three games of its road trip. This is the Avalanche's final game of that road trip. 

The Avalanche also are going with backup Justus Annumen in net. 

The Blues are playing well having won four in a row. They've given up only six goals during this four-game span. 

Where did this come from? The Blackhawks have scored seven goals in each of their last two games blasting the Coyotes, 7-4, and Ducks, 7-2.

Star rookie Connor Bedard is sparking the Blackhawks producing eight points during these past two games.

The Kings have allowed three or more goals in three of their last four games.

LA, though, should score a lot here. The Blackhawks rank 29th defensively surrendering 3.5 goals per game. They will have Arvid Soderblom in net. He's one of the worst goalies in the league.

This is more than a fair price to back the Red Wings, off an embarrassing nationally televised road loss to the Avalanche two days ago. You couldn't ask for more of a step down spot for Detroit as the Coyotes have dropped 16 of their last 18 games. 

Arizona is playing without rest and the team is in a transition stage due to trades. 

The Bruins' defense and goaltending are down from the past couple of seasons. Boston also has injuries on defense.

The Bruins have surrendered three or more goals in 11 straight games. They've given up 13 goals in their past three games.

Toronto is the No. 1 scoring team in the NHL. The Maple Leafs have produced four or more goals in nine of their last 10 games.

Boston is a top-10 scoring team. Toronto has a below average defense.

So I find this total to be short.

The Predators have scored well during the first four games of their road trip. They've produced 18 goals in those four games and now draw the defensively-challenged Ducks. Anaheim ranks 30th defensively. 

If you discount a 5-1 win against the Senators, the Ducks are giving up an average of 5.3 goals during their last six games. 

The Ducks, though, have scored at least four goals in three of their last five games and draw the Predators playing the finale of a five-game road trip. 

Winnipeg's defense has slipped recently. But the Jets still have the No. 1 defense in the NHL. They are likely to have Connor Hellebuyck in net. The Blackhawks are averaging just 1.4 goals in their last 11 games. They have scored fewer than three goals in 13 of their last 17 games.

The Jets are averaging only two goals a game during their past 11 games. 

Having gone just 9-9-1-5 in LA, the Kings have burned the most money at home of any team in the NHL.

Don't be shocked if the Kings fail to win at home again even against Columbus. This is a horrendous situational spot for Los Angeles.

The Kings returned to Southern California after winning their last three games of a four-game road trip. This marks their fifth game in eight days and first in the Pacific time zone since Feb. 10.

Contrast this with the Blue Jackets, who are in action for only the third time in 10 days. They last played this past Saturday at San Jose where they nipped the Sharks, 4-3.

Columbus has the fourth-fewest points in the NHL. So the Kings can't help but feel cocky and confident. However, if you give the Blue Jackets plus 1 1/2 goals, they would be 12-8 in their last 20 games.

The Oilers beat the Ducks, 5-3, on Friday. The Kings last played on Jan. 31 - 10 days ago. So what we have here is a fatigue vs a huge rust situation. It's unique and sets up an Under given the high total for this game. 

It's easy to think of goals with the Oilers since they have the magnificent Connor McDavid. But Edmonton has had an unbelievable long run of excellent defense. The Oilers have given up fewer than three goals in 14 of their last 16 games. 

Calvin Pickard was in net for the Oilers against the Ducks on Friday night. So a fresh Stuart Skinner will get the start in goal today. He's been brilliant having not allowed more than two goals during his last 12 games. Skinner surrendered fewer than two goals in half of those games. 

Edmonton will be playing for the third time in five days and second in two nights. So the Oilers carry a fatigue rating. That usually means an increased emphasis on defense and slower pace. 

The Kings entered the weekend ranked sixth defensively with the top penalty kill unit in the NHL. This also is the Kings' first game under interim head coach Jim Hiller. He replaced the fired Todd McLellan. That should ensure a huge defensive effort from the Kings.

No disrespect to the Canucks, who have been playing great hockey. But I want the Bruins going for me after their coach, Jim Montgomery, was highly critical of his team following Boston's 4-1 loss to the Flames coming off break.

Prior to that defeat, Boston had gone 7-1 in its last eight games and had only dropped two games all season in regulation to Western Conference opponents.

Vancouver wasn't that sharp either in its return from break. But the Canucks got past the Hurricanes, 3-2, on the road despite being outshot.

The Avalanche are the No. 1 scoring team in the NHL. They were held to just one goal by the Rangers last night coming off break. Colorado got the rust off with that game.

The Devils, though, haven't played in 10 days. They ranked 27th defensively. New Jersey also has a losing home record. 

This is a huge revenge game for the Red Wings. They lost 5-1 to the Senators on Dec. 9 when Dylan Larkin was injured. The Red Wings haven't forgotten about that. Detroit has been playing much better since then going 9-2-1 this month. Ottawa, by contrast, is 5-7-2 this month.

The Red Wings have been idle since Saturday, while the Senators are in action for the fourth time in seven days.

Nashville is one of the better road teams in the NHL and has a goalie edge with Juuse Saros back in net. Saros was rested in the Predators' last game, a 4-1 loss to the Oilers this past Saturday. Edmonton has won 16 in a row. The Predators held the Oilers to only 21 shots on goal. That was the second-fewest shots Edmonton took all season.

Ottawa is just .500 at home. The Senators pulled their goalie, Joonas Korpisalo, in their last game, a 7-2 loss to the Rangers two days ago.

The Senators rank third-from-the-bottom in defense and in penalty killing.

The Predators have dominated this series going 10-1-3 during the last 14 meetings.

I find this total too short given the circumstances and current form of these two teams.

The Blue Jackets are the second-worst defensive team in the NHL. They have surrendered at least four goals in 14 of their last 19 games. Columbus also carries a huge fatigue factor playing for the fourth time in six days and without rest after losing, 5-4, in overtime at Vancouver last night. The Blue Jackets ran out of gas surrendering three goals in the third period to the Canucks. That doesn't bode well for this matchup.

Seattle has scored nine goals in its last two games.

Columbus, though, also has scored nine goals in its last two games and produced at least four goals in four of its last six games.

The Kraken have allowed three or more goals in six of their past seven games.

The Kings are becoming a near auto-fade under Todd McLellan as the All-Star break draws near. LA is 2-12 in its last 14 games. The Kings just lost at home as huge favorites to the Sharks and Sabres this past Wednesday blowing a 3-1 lead.

I don't see the Kings bouncing back against the Avalanche, winners of 12 of their last 16 games. I see the Kings as a dead team going into break and McLellan perhaps getting fired.

Colorado is averaging 4.6 goals a game in its last 11 games. The Kings are averaging just two goals a game during their past five games.

I'm looking for a strong bounce back game from Dallas after the Stars lost, 5-1, to the Flyers at home two days ago. That was the Stars' most lopsided defeat since Dec. 9.

Dallas is a strong road team - 12-5-2-1 - and the third-highest scoring team in the NHL.

New Jersey ranks 28th defensively. The Devils also carry a high fatigue rating. They beat the Blue Jackets, 4-1, in Columbus last night. So they are playing without rest and also for the fourth time in six days.

Florida is in second place in the Atlantic Division with 58 points. But the Panthers are in must-win mode having lost three in a row - two in overtime - and finishing a five-game homestand with this matchup.

Look for the Panthers to take their frustrations out on Minnesota, which is a patsy right now. Dealing with multiple injuries, the Wild has lost nine of their last 11 games. Minnesota played last night at Tampa Bay and fell to the Lightning, 7-3. The Wild are 1-5 when playing without rest.

This is a mystifying line. Since when is a team that has lost nine of their last 10 games, carries a high fatigue rating and is in a terrible situational spot a mid-sized favorite against an above .500 quality opponent? 

I can't say never because of this line where the Kings are fairly strong favorites against Nashville. 

So I'll gladly take this plus price with the road underdog Predators. 

Los Angeles is 1-9 in its last 10 games. The Kings just completed a rough six-game, 10-day trip that concluded in Dallas where they got crushed, 5-1, by the Stars this past Tuesday night. 

That was a horrible spot for the Kings. This one isn't any better. It's LA's third game in four days - all at different arenas - and fourth game in six days. The Kings just returned home on Wednesday after being gone for the past 10 days. So their focus and concentration could be off given the traveling circumstances and reuniting with their families. 

Nashville has a winning road record. The Kings are just a .500 team at home. The Predators will be rested and ready having last played on Monday against the Golden Knights. That was a day game in nearby Las Vegas - just an hour flight from Los Angeles. 

The Predators lost to Las Vegas, but they had won their two previous games. This included an impressive, 6-3, upset road win against the Stars in Dallas this past Friday.

Losers of eight of their last 11 games and thin at center without injured leading scorer Jack Eichel, the Golden Knights can not be favored. Certainly not here against Nashville.

The Predators are 5-2 in their last seven games. They are 6-1 in their last seven road games and have scored 3 or more goals in each of their last eight games. 

The Golden Knights are averaging only 1.7 goals in their last nine games. 

Carolina is riding a four-game winning streak. But I'm going to step in against the Hurricanes based on the spot.

This is the Hurricanes' final game of a three-game road swing in which they secured victories against the Rangers in an underdog role and Maple Leafs. Carolina returns home following this matchup only to meet the Blues there for a Saturday game.

Carolina has a right to feel fat and happy, while also anxious to get home for the first time in a week.

The Capitals are in a more desperate state, having lost five of their past six games. This includes a 6-3 loss to the Devils in the first of a five-game homestand two days ago. Washington had upset the Penguins on the road in its previous game. The Capitals also beat Carolina on the road in the team's lone meeting this season.

I'm going to ride Calgary, which is 5-2 in its last seven games and getting excellent net play from Jacob Markstrom, who has a .936 save percentage in his last six games. The Flames have given up two or fewer goals in five of their last seven games.

Nashville is 2-3 in its past five games. The Predators have permitted five goals in four of their last nine games. They've been without defenseman Tyson Barrie during their past four games.

The teams met earlier this season. Colorado won, 7-4. While I'm not expecting 11 goals again, I do believe there will be more than six goals scored.

Colorado is the No. 2 scoring team in the NHL with one of the top lines in the league led by Nathan MacKinnon, who has scored at least one point in 19 straight home games.

The Islanders are 29th on the penalty kill. The Avalanche has a top-eight power play.

I expect the Islanders to contribute to this total going Over, too. They've scored three or more goals in 18 of their last 22 games.

Tampa Bay has been inconsistent, but coming out of the Christmas break this is a good spot for the Lightning. The price is right to back them. Tampa Bay has been better at home and Andrei Vasilevskiy is coming around to his superstar form in his return from back surgery.

The Lightning have won four consecutive home games, including defeating Dallas and Las Vegas. Tampa Bay is on a three-game win streak after edging the Capitals on the road this past Saturday and has won four of its last five overall games.

Vasilevskiy is playing much better. He's 7-2 with a .925 save percentage in his last nine games.

The Lightning are a top-10 scoring team and have an elite goalie. Florida ranks 24th in scoring.

The Panthers are off a highly-satisfying, 4-2, victory against the Golden Knights this past Saturday. The game was played in Sunrise, Fla. The Golden Knights had defeated the Panthers in the Stanley Cup finals. Before that victory, though, the Panthers had lost four of their previous five games.

The Rangers are hot and in an excellent situational spot here. New York is riding a three-game winning streak, including scoring impressive consecutive road victories against the Maple Leafs and Bruins. New York last played on Tuesday. So the Rangers have had ample time to get home and be ready for this matchup.

Edmonton beat the Devils on the road, 6-3, Thursday night. This will be the Oilers' third game in four nights and second in two days.

The Oilers are potent offensively, but have holes defensively. They are giving up an average of 4.5 goals in their last four games. The Oilers rank 26th defensively compared to the Rangers, who allow the eighth-fewest goals per game.

This is a circle-the-wagons game for the Hurricanes. They've been pointing to this marquee matchup and I believe they get it done.

Carolina has dropped the first two games of its homestand losing in a shootout and in overtime.

Both of Las Vegas' goalies, Adin Hill and Logan Thompson, are nursing injuries.

This also is the Golden Knights' first road game in 10 days.

These teams are closely matched. Nashville is the better defensive team. But Carolina is a solid favorite because of being the home team.

Yet that home ice is negated by this being just a brutal spot for the Hurricanes.

It's Carolina's first game back from a six-game road trip that consisted of around 6,000 miles and culminated with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against the Red Wings on Thursday night. The Hurricanes get no rest. They haven't been home in nearly two weeks and immediately have to play this game against the rested Predators, who last were in action three days ago. It's also Carolina's third game in four days. The Hurricanes come back fat and happy, too, having closed their road swing with consecutive victories.

The Predators are going to have fresh legs and be fully prepared. The same can't be said for Carolina. The Hurricanes carry a high fatigue rating plus their concentration is likely to be altered arriving home early in the morning and trying to catch up on personal things having been gone for nearly two weeks.

Nashville is playing well also, winning five of its last six games. The Predators are 4-1, too, during their past five away contests. Expect Juuse Saros to be in net. The Predators have won nine of Saros' last 10 starts, including the past five.

When you have to count on Tom Wilson to do most of your goal-scoring your offense is in trouble. That's what's going on with the Capitals, who rank second-to-last in goals scored at 2.2 per game. Wilson, more goon/enforcer than scorer, has produced four of Washington's last six goals. 

I don't like this situational spot for Washington either.

This is the Capitals' first home since Nov. 24. They just concluded a five-game road trip that finished with a 4-1 loss to Las Vegas this past Saturday and a 6-0 defeat to Arizona this past Monday. Washington's concentration could be off having been gone from home for so long.

The spot also sets up well for Dallas. The Stars are off a poorly-played 5-4 road loss to Florida. The Stars had lost to Tampa Bay in their previous game. You have to go all the way back to last February to find the last time the Stars lost three straight games. 

The buy sign is back on the Golden Knights. Las Vegas is back on track posting consecutive 4-1 victories against the Canucks this past Thursday and Capitals two days ago.

The Golden Knights rank second in the NHL on defense. They've given up two or fewer goals in five of their past six games.

St. Louis is in action for the ninth time in 17 days. This is the fifth straight different venue for the Blues. They are 5-11 in their last 16 road games and have lost to Las Vegas 12 of the past 17 times.

The Golden Knights have won 69 percent of the time during their last 52 home games.

I'm looking for the Panthers to break out of their two-game offensive funk against Ottawa, which has a below-average defense. The Senators have permitted 3 or more goals in nine of their last 12 games. 

The Senators can be counted on to score, though. They are averaging 3.7 goals in their last seven games. Florida has allowed 3 goals in each of its last three games.

The Over is 7-2-1 the last 10 times these teams have met. 

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are superstars. They are superstars because of their scoring abilities, not their defense. Both have negative plus/minus marks on the season.

Lack of defense and bad goaltending are serious problems for the Oilers. Washington has picked up its scoring in such a way that it renders its season statistics almost meaningless.

It's because of this that I believe these teams will combine for at least seven goals.

Edmonton ranks 30rd in the NHL defensively allowing 3.9 goals a game. The Oilers have permitted 4.6 goals a game during their past three games. The Capitals have come on to score at least three goals in eight of their last 10 games.

Despite their defensive woes, the Oilers are dangerous because of their high octane offense and deadly power play. They have produced three or more goals in each of their last five games, hitting the four-goal mark in four of those contests.

Note that the Over is 4-1-1 the past six times these teams have met.

The Kings are the No. 2 scoring team in the NHL. They have produced 3 or more goals in 11 of their last 13 games. The Kings should really be on the attack after losing their last game, 4-2, at home to the Flyers. That was back on Saturday so they'll have fresh legs.

Sergei Bobrovsky is expected to be in net for Florida. He's a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, but struggles against LA with a career mark of 3-9-2, an .898 save percentage and 3.04 goals-against average.

The Panthers should be fully adjusted to West Coast time after a flat performance in San Jose against the woeful Sharks two days ago. The Sharks rank last in the NHL in scoring at 1.3 goals, but they scored three times versus Florida. The Panthers scored five goals to pull out the victory. They know they have to play much better to beat the Kings.

Florida is averaging 4.6 goals in its last five games, while giving up an average of 3.3 goals in its last six games. The Over has cashed in Florida's past six games.

The two teams also have gone Over in six of their past eight meetings.

The Blues are 4-1 in their last five games. They stunned Colorado, 8-2, on the road in their last game this past Saturday. Tampa Bay lost its last two games, both at home to the Blackhawks and to the Hurricanes in their last game four days ago.

Yet the Lightning are a solid road favorite here. The oddsmaker is telling you Tampa Bay is the better team. I agree. The Blues have been playing above their heads.

Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper is really stressing the importance of this road matchup following two straight home defeats. The Lightning didn't have star scorer Nikita Kucherov against Carolina. Kucherov was ill, but he returned to practice yesterday and is expected to play.

The Kings buried the Flyers, 5-0, on the road a week ago. This spot sets up for the Kings to win by multiple goals again.

LA has much to prove to home where it hasn't played well. The Penguins just beat the Kings two days ago in LA. The Kings have had a day to rest up and lick their wounds from that game, while the Flyers come in fat and happy after beating the Ducks last night.

The Flyers have major goalie issues with Carter Hart out. The Kings are expected to go back to Cam Talbot in net after Pheonix Copley played against the Penguins. Talbot is the superior goalie. Talbot is 3-0 with a GAA of 1.00 and save percentage of .966 this month. The Flyers have been held to two or fewer goals in four of their last six games.

The Kings don't play again until hosting the Panthers on Thursday. So expect an all-out effort from the Kings to achieve what has been elusive for them, a home victory. It should come here in a big way.

This is a kill spot for the defending Stanley Cup champion Golden Knights if there ever was one. Las Vegas has lost two in a row for the first time this season. The Golden Knights have been home since the early part of this week. They won't be taking the Sharks lightly after San Jose has won its last two games. The Golden Knights have no love lost either for the Sharks.

After opening with an 11-game winless streak, the Sharks have pulled major upsets beating the Flyers and Oilers at home. They nipped Edmonton, 3-2, last night. So the Sharks are traveling without rest while playing for the third time in four days.

The Sharks have lost by multiple goals in 10 of their 11 losses.

There were 10 goals scored when the teams met on Oct. 25 with the Capitals pulling out a 6-4 road victory. It marked the fifth time in the last seven games in the series the Over has cashed.

I doubt we'll see another combined 10-goal game, but I do envision each team producing at least three goals.

Washington has gotten its offense into gear more after a slow start scoring 3 or more goals in four of its last six games. New Jersey is the 29th-ranked defensive team in the league. The Devils have permitted 3 or more goals in 11 of their 12 games.

The Devils, though, rank No. 5 in scoring and have the best power-play in the league.

The Flames were a major disappointment in October, but they are coming around now. They have scored 13 goals in their last three games. I'm looking for a lot of offense from Calgary against the Maple Leafs, who are giving up an average of 4.8 goals in their last five games. Toronto ranks 28th defensively.

The Maple Leafs have explosive offensive talent, though. They've scored 3 or more goals in six of their last nine games, reaching at least 4 goals in five of those games.

The Over has cashed in five of Toronto's last seven home games.

Both teams are consistently scoring goals and going Over. I'm going to ride that again here.

Vancouver has scored 3 or more goals in 10 of its 12 games. The Canucks are averaging 4.8 goals in their last eight games.

Ottawa has produced 4 or more goals in seven of its last 10 games. The Senators are averaging 4.2 goals in their last four games.

The Over has cashed the last five times they have met.

Usually I give pause when I see a total this high. But there's only way to play this game - and it's not Under.

There have been at least seven goals scored in eight of Ottawa's 10 games this season. The Senators are the fourth-highest scoring team in the league, but rank 28th defensively.

Toronto has explosive offensive talent. The Maple Leafs are averaging five goals in their last two games. However, they've allowed 4.5 goals per game in their last four games. 

I'm expecting a big scoring effort from Colorado at home after it was blanked, 7-0, by the Golden Knights this past Saturday in Las Vegas. Colorado allowed two short-handed goals in that loss. The Avalanche had scored 4 or more goals in five of their last seven games before that shutout.

New Jersey ranks 23rd defensively allowing 3.5 goals a game. The Devils also are below average on the penalty kill. They've allowed at least 3 goals in eight of their 10 games.

The Devils, though, rank No. 3 in scoring. averaging 3.9 goals per game. They rank No. 1 on the power play, too. The Over has cashed in 80 percent of the Devils' games this season.

The Canadiens are improved this season. They are 4-3 in their last seven games with two of those losses during this span occurring by one goal.

The Canadiens catch the Blues playing without rest after St. Louis upset the Devils, 4-1, last night. St. Louis is 0-6 when playing on zero rest.

The Blues are expected to go with backup Joel Hofer in net.

The Kings are in action. So think Over. There have been 7 or more goals scored in six of the Kings' eight games. The Kings have surrendered at least three goals in every game except one.

So it's no surprise the Over has cashed in seven of LA's eight games this season, including the past five.

The Kings lead the NHL in scoring at 4.4 goals per game. However, they rank 25th defensively. The Maple Leafs have been playing shorthanded on the blue line due to multiple injuries.

Toronto has scored four goals apiece in three of its last four games. The Maple Leafs rank 11th in scoring and fourth on the power play.

Expect both teams to come out skating at a fast tempo since each team last played this past Saturday.

The Bruins are off to a great start at 7-0-1. They rank first defensively giving up the fewest goals per game. They also have the No. 1 penalty kill unit.

That alone would be enough to back the Bruins. But Boston has had this matchup circled ever since the Panthers pulled a major upset by knocking the Bruins out of the playoffs last season.

The Panthers match up well to Boston. But I want the Bruins going for me in this spot. 

The Kings figure to get the Golden Knights ''A'' game tonight and the situation isn't ideal for them.

Las Vegas suffered its first loss of the season blowing a 2-0 lead at home against the Blackhawks on a rare Friday afternoon game. That defeat stopped the Golden Knights' seven-game win streak to open the season.

The Kings were in Tempe, Ariz. last night where they quickly fell behind the Coyotes, 4-1. Much to their credit, the Kings rallied for an improbable, 5-4, victory scoring three goals in the final period.

That took a lot of effort and grit from the Kings, who had to fly back home in the wee hours of the morning. So Vegas will be the more rested team. The Golden Knights are the far superior defensive team and they will have had more rest. The Kings rank 25th defensively. The Golden Nuggets give up the second-fewest goals per game.

The Rangers were outstanding on the road last season going 24-9-8 and they've started off well this season winning three of four away contests. I like the Rangers to keep hot on the road against the struggling Oilers.

New York stays in the same time zone after defeating Calgary, 3-1, on Tuesday. That was the Rangers' first win at the Saddledome in six years. Now they get the 1-4-1 Oilers, who aren't likely to have Connor McDavid. He suffered an upper-body injury in the Oilers' 3-2 overtime loss to the Jets this past Saturday.

McDavid missed the Oilers' last game. That was a 7-4 road loss to the Wild. The Oilers looked clueless without their superstar. Three times the Oilers were whistled for having too many men on the ice. Edmonton might have allowed even more than seven goals if it weren't for goalie Jack Campbell making several spectacular saves.

Edmonton ranks second-to-last in scoring defense allowing 4.5 goals per game.

The Oilers have a bigger game on deck when they play against rival Calgary in the Heritage Classic outdoors at Commonwealth Stadium on Sunday night. The Oilers are hoping McDavid will be ready for that game. So it's highly unlikely they would rush him into the lineup against the Rangers.

It's not a huge surprise the defending Stanley Cup champion Golden Knights are off to a 6-0 start. It is a surprise, though, to find the Flyers leading the Metro Division with a 3-1-1 record.

The Golden Knights won't be taking the Flyers lightly now, especially after the Flyers scored a pair of short-handed goals in their last game.

Las Vegas is the fourth-toughest team to score against with a 1.8 goals against average. The Golden Knights last played on Saturday. The Under is 6-1 the past seven times the Golden Knights have played on two days rest.

The Flyers also last played on Saturday when they suffered a 5-4 overtime defeat to the Stars. Prior to that game, though, the Flyers had surrendered just one goal in their last two games.

The Red Wings are the home team. But it's Calgary that has been practicing at Detroit's home facility. While the Flames were in Detroit on Saturday, the Red Wings were pulling off an impressive upset against the Senators in Ottawa on Saturday.

Detroit doesn't have a good record when playing without rest. The Red Wings have lost 69 percent of the past 62 times in that situation.

The Flames have defeated the Red Wings in nine of the last 12 meetings. This is the final game of their five game road trip that has been disappointing so far at 1-3.

The Red Wings are expected to start backup James Reimer in net.

Early revenge spot here for Buffalo. The Islanders scored a goal with fewer than seven minutes left to nip the Sabres, 3-2, at home last Saturday.

The Sabres have been home since that game. The Islanders emptied the tank trying to beat the Devils at home last night, but fell, 5-4, in overtime. The Islanders have been missing defenseman Scott Mayfield.

This is the Islanders' first road game and first game without rest. The Islanders gave up nearly a goal more on the road than at home last season. New York also has lost its last five road games to the Sabres.

The 0-2 Sabres are due to get their first win. The situation sets up for them here drawing the struggling Lightning, who still could be missing team captain Steve Stamkos.

Tampa Bay is playing its third road game in four days. The Sabres have been idle since Saturday.

The Lightning are struggling in net without Andrei Vasilevskiy allowing 4.67 goals per game. Tampa Bay's defense hasn't helped its inexperienced goalies, Jonas Johansson and Matt Tomkins. The Lightning have given up the most shots on goal and third-most high-danger scoring chances.

The Lightning are off consecutive road defeats to the Red Wings and Senators. The Sabres are better than those two teams.

Colorado won't have team captain Gabriel Landeskog as he still is recovering from knee surgery. But I like the rest of the makeup of the Avalanche as they begin the season highly motivated after an early playoff exit last season.

The Avalanche won the Stanley Cup two seasons ago keyed by elite talents and strong depth. Colorado improved their depth in the off-season and still have superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. They give the Avalanche easily the two best players on the ice in this matchup.

Colorado also holds a big edge in net. I don't like any of the Kings' goalies.

The Avalanche know how to win on the road, too, going 31-11-2 in away games last season.

It will be a festive opening night of the hockey season for the Las Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. There will be a special ceremony prior to the game raising the Golden Knights' Stanley Cup banner. The Vegas players will enter on a special gold carpet.

This pomp is all very nice, but also very distracting.

The Golden Knights are playing the wrong opponent for all this pregame hoopla.

Seattle is one of the few teams that can come close to matching the Golden Knights' four-line depth. The Kraken are a hard-working team strong on the forecheck.

The Kraken beat the Golden Knights in Las Vegas last season and can do it again on Tuesday especially if the Golden Knights get caught up in all the pregame celebrations.

The Kraken knocked off the defending Stanley Cup champion Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs last season and then took the Stars to a Game 7 in the next round. They were one win away from meeting the Golden Knights in the Western Conference Finals.

The Golden Knights have mostly dominated this series. So their being up 3-1 is not a surprise.

Las Vegas has outscored Florida, 17-9, made far fewer mistakes, has a decided edge in expected goals, is the much deeper and healthier team with Matthew Tkachuk battling a shoulder injury that has greatly reduced his minutes.

The Panthers haven't been able to penetrate the middle of Las Vegas' tall and physical defense. Adin Hill has stepped up in net outplaying Sergei Bobrovsky throughout much of the series. Florida ranked 10th in power play goal percentage during the regular season. But against Las Vegas, the Panthers have failed to score in 13 power play opportunities.

The Golden Knights held on to nip the Panthers, 3-2, this past Saturday in Florida in Game 4. Now the Panthers have to regroup and do it with a hobbled Tkachuk, who has been their best player.

I don't see it happening, especially not at Las Vegas where the Panthers have lost the past seven times. I don't even see it being a close game. So I'm laying 1 1/2 goals on the puck line turning huge minus juice into huge plus juice.

The Cinderella Panthers raced through the East knocking off the Bruins, Maple Leafs and Hurricanes.

But the Golden Knights are turning the Panthers' carriage into a pumpkin, exposing Florida for the eighth-place team it was in the Eastern Conference during the regular season.

Las Vegas clearly has established itself as the superior team. If it weren't for getting some fortunate breaks in Thursday's Game 3 the Panthers would be down 3-0 in the series.

The Panthers being favored in Saturday's Game 4 puts me on the underdog Golden Knights.

The Golden Knights are the deeper team able to keep the pressure on Florida without a break having four strong lines. Florida can't match that. Las Vegas also has the better defense, special teams and hasn't made nearly as many mistakes as Florida has. Las Vegas has proven itself on the road, too, winning 15 of its last 21 away games.

Las Vegas dominated the first two games, outscoring the Panthers, 12-4. The Panthers needed a late goal after they had pulled their goalie to force overtime in Game 3. The Golden Knights had a 15-8 advantage in scoring chances. Vegas shots hit the crossbar and post. Sergei Bobrovsky had his best game of the series by far for Florida. A metric showed Bobrovsky stopping 1.89 goals above expected. Bobrovsky is better than he showed in the first two games, but it's probably a reach to expect him to produce another ''A'' game.

The Panthers, constantly stymied by the Golden Knights' tall and physical defensemen, managed only four shots on goal during the third period in Game 3. The Panthers continue to take stupid penalties. The Golden Knights have made them pay for this scoring on six of 17 power play chances for 35 percent.

Florida, on the other hand, has yet to produce a goal in 12 power play opportunities against Las Vegas.

Is there a zig/zag in this Stanley Cup Finals with Las Vegas traveling to Florida up 2-0 in the series? 

Yes. Key signs point to a Panthers' victory. 

The home team has won 11 of the last 12 in this series. Florida has beaten Las Vegas four of the past five times it has hosted them. The Panthers have won 69 percent of their past 109 home games. 

Those are strong trends, but it takes more than trends to fully get behind the Panthers, who were dominated in a 7-2 Game 2 loss this past Monday. 

The Panthers have proven their resilience overcoming a 3-1 series deficit to eliminate the Bruins, the record-setting regular season points leader. 
Florida could have won Game 1 in Las Vegas. Here's an interesting quote from Florida coach Paul Maurice, ''We feel that our best hockey is still ahead of us. We certainly haven't controlled the game at times, but in the first game we didn't feel it was controlled against us either.'' 

The Panthers have gotten quality looks and shots on goal. They've been hurt by lack of discipline on the defensive end and Sergei Bobrovsky's mediocre play in net. Bobrovsky was pulled after 27 minutes in Game 2. 

I expect a strong performance from the prideful Bobrovsky in this Game 3 along with a much cleaner defensive effort from the Panthers, who will get back defenseman Radko Gudas, who missed much of Game 2. 

Bobrovsky went into this championship series with a collective 18.95 saved goals above expectations. That was the best playoff mark since 2008. 
Las Vegas has scored four power play goals in 11 chances for a 36.3 percentage. The Golden Knights were below average on power play percentage during the regular season at 20.3 percent. So I'm expecting a reduction there. 

I'm also expecting the Panthers to produce their ''A'' game. 

The total for Saturday's Game 1 of this Stanley Cup Finals also was 5 1/2. There were seven goals scored in Las Vegas' 5-2 victory.

I expect at least six goals to be produced in this Game 2. Here's why:

The Golden Knights have outscored their playoff opposition by 29 goals during the postseason. That's the highest amount in 12 years. There's never a letup when facing Las Vegas because the Golden Knights have four strong lines. The Golden Knights punctured some of Sergei Bobrovsky's mystique. The Florida goalie had been hot, not giving up more than three goals a game in his last 10 games.

Las Vegas fired 34 shots on goal of which 21 were high danger shots. The Panthers had 35 shots on net. The Panthers were denied more goals by goalie Adin Hill, who might have played the best game of his career. His stick save on Nick Cousins' chip shot may have been the stop of the year. Still, the Golden Knights had some luck. The Panthers hit the post three times.

Note, too, that five of the last six times the Golden Knights have hosted the Panthers the total has gone Over.

Down 3-0 against the Golden Knights in their Western Conference Finals series, the Stars went all out at home this past Thursday to stay alive. They fired 42 shots on goal, received an outstanding goalie performance from overdue Jake Oettinger and out-hit the Golden Knights, 46-23.

The Stars won - barely. They prevailed in overtime, 3-2.

Now the scene shifts back to Las Vegas where I see the Golden Knights ending the series. Teams that have taken a 3-0 lead in the playoffs before the Stanley Cup final round are 47-0.

The Golden Knights are 11-1 after scoring two goals or less during their previous game. Dallas is 1-4 in its last five road games and also 1-4 following a victory.

The Golden Knights outplayed the Stars in the third period in Game 4. They outshot the Stars, 14-8, in the third period and looked like they were going to win in regulation. So even taking the Stars' best shot, the Golden Knights nearly clinched the series on the road.

The Stars can't match the Golden Knights' four-line depth - especially missing suspended team captain Jamie Benn and injured right winger Evgenii Dadonov - nor can they match Las Vegas' solid core of six reliable defensemen. Adin Hill has also outplayed Oettinger in net.

Las Vegas is an NHL-leading 6-2 at home during the postseason. Unlike Game 4, the Golden Knights will be in control of the matchups having the final line say being the home team.

These many edges are too much for the Stars to overcome.

Dallas is down 3-0 to Las Vegas in these Western Conference Finals and totally frustrated. The Stars are averaging two goals during their last five games and now will be without their captain and second-leading points producer suspended Jamie Benn. Dallas also likely will be missing injured forward Evgenii Dadonov, who has accounted for 10 points during the Stars' 16 playoff game hurting the team's scoring depth.

The Golden Knights have stymied the Stars with their defensive depth - six solid blue-liners - and with backup goalie Adin Hill stepping up. Hill made 34 saves in Las Vegas' 4-0 Game 3 road win this past Tuesday. The Golden Knights have held their opponents to 1.7 goals during their last four games.

Clogging up the middle of the ice, leading the NHL in blocked shots and averaging 10.3 takeaways - best of the remaining playoff teams - have been keys for the Golden Knights in holding the Stars to two goals during the last seven periods.

How does Dallas respond?

Obviously the Stars are in a desperate position on the verge of elimination. I don't see them opening up their attack. It's not realistically possible minus Benn, who has been such an important figure in their offense. Instead, I see the Stars trying to be more careful with the puck and helping out their goalie either backup Scott Wedgewood, or a shaky Jake Oettinger. That means a conservative game plan trying to get that much-needed elusive first win to keep the series alive.

It's worth noting, too, that the past seven games in Dallas between these two teams have all gone Under.

Down 0-2 to the Panthers - with both losses occurring at home and in overtime - it's maybe best for the Hurricanes they go on the road now. Carolina has to be totally focused and unfazed.

The Hurricanes have outshot the Panthers, 103-86, and had good scoring looks. But bad luck and unexpected strong goaltending from 34-year-old Sergei Bobrovsky, who hasn't been nearly that good up to this point of the season, has stymied the Hurricanes.

I see that changing in this Game 3, however.

Florida is on a tremendous roll winning nine of its last 10. But the Panthers haven't been dominant. They are 6-0 in overtime games during this time frame.

Despite the two losses in a row, the Hurricanes are 50-24 in their last 74 games. They also are 7-3 during their past 10 visits to the Panthers.

I'm not convinced that the Panthers are the superior team. I certainly don't see Florida sweeping. This is Carolina's game to win.

Price and value. That's what this Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals comes down to.

Florida has played once in eight days. Carolina has played once in nine days. But the last game these two teams played was this past Thursday night/early Friday morning in Carolina. It went within 12 seconds of going into a fifth overtime.

The road underdog Panthers won it.

Now there's a huge randomness factor with the teams not just playing only once in more than a week, but how they react to that epic four overtime game. Florida is on house money leading 1-0 in the series. The Hurricanes have to be down both physically and more important emotionally. They have little time to regroup. And the pressure is all on them.

I see this game as a toss-up. So getting this nice plus price on the Panthers makes sense.

The Panthers have more than proven themselves on the road in the postseason winning seven of eight away playoff games. They are on a seven-game road win streak having defeated the Bruins three consecutive times in Boston and Maple Leafs three times in a row in Toronto entering this series.

Florida is 13-3 in its last 16 road contests. The Panthers also have beaten the Hurricanes six of the past eight times.

Each team is averaging 3.4 goals per game through the first five games of this series. I'm expecting a fast tempo, especially from the Oilers, with this Game 6 shifting back to Edmonton.

The Oilers played at a face pace when they scored four goals at home in Game 4. Their tempo was slower in their 4-3 Game 5 road loss this past Friday.

Edmonton's dynamic power play, perhaps the best in the last 25 years, has converted 40 percent of the time during the series. That's even better than its league-leading 32.4 percent it achieved during the regular season.

Las Vegas is the deeper team and has dominated 5-on-5 competition outscoring the Oilers, 13-8, at even strength during the series. The Golden Knights are live to score against the below average defensive Oilers when any of their four lines are on the ice.

Neither team is getting stellar goaltending. The Golden Knights are forced to go with backup Adin Hill as starter Laurent Brossoit remains out. The Oilers have a choice of sticking with rookie Stuart Skinner and his .890 save percentage in the playoffs, or go with Jack Campbell, who had an .888 save percentage in the regular season.

This is Game 6 in this Western Conference Stanley Cup playoff series between these two teams. Each of the first five games have gone Over the total with a minimum of six goals being scored in every game.

There have been nine goals produced in three of the five games.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. So I'm going to keep riding the Over in this series until proven otherwise.

The Kraken haven't been able to slow down Dallas' top line of Roope Hintz, Joe Pavelski and Jason Robertson.

The Stars have scored four or more goals in six of their last seven games. They've tallied 11 goals in the last two games. This is a potential elimination game for the Kraken, who are down 3-2 in the series. So there could be empty-net goals coming Dallas' way if the Kraken trail in the later stages of the game.

Seattle was the fifth-highest scoring team in the league. The Kraken have a deep roster and fast skaters. They've proven resilient all season, including taking out the Avalanche in the first round. The Stars' goaltending has been largely disappointing in this series. So I see the Kraken certainly keeping up in the scoring column.

I'm going to ride the Devils in their Game 4 series matchup hosting the Hurricanes following their 8-4 home win this past Sunday. That win greatly boosted the Devils' confidence after they lost the first two games of the series in Carolina. I'm expecting a strong carryover effect for New Jersey.

I'm not sold on any of Carolina's goalies following that Devils' four-goal victory. Frederik Andersen played so poorly in Game 3 he was pulled. Antti Raanta has been sick. He's also been much worse on the road where he's 1-6 the past seven times in net with an .884 save percentage.

The Devils were able to establish their speed game at home in Game 3, something they weren't able to do in Carolina when they were too tentative.

New Jersey has won eight of its last 10 home games. The Devils also have beaten the Hurricanes seven of the last nine times when hosting them.

The Oilers have one of the great power plays of all-time. They are home now and coming off an impressive 5-1 road victory against the Golden Knights this past Saturday to even this playoff series at 1-1.

But I find the underdog Knights an outstanding value play. Las Vegas has proven resilient all season. The Knights are an excellent road team, much deeper than the Oilers and better than the Oilers when the teams are at full strength.

Only twice have the Knights lost two consecutive games since the All-Star break. They are 10-2 after giving up five or more goals in their previous game. Las Vegas tied for the second-most road points during the regular season and are 11-3 in its past 14 away games. The Knights have outscored the Oilers, 5-3, in the series when the teams were skating five-on-five.

The Oilers can't match Las Vegas' tremendous depth. The Knights are one of the few teams with four strong forward lines and three solid defensive pairings.

Edmonton's strength is its tremendous power play unit. The Knights, though, were the least penalized team in the NHL during the regular season. So the Knights have the right antidote to the Oilers' greatest strength.

If it's not broken, why fix it? That's the way I feel about going Over in this Stars-Kraken Game 3 matchup. These teams have gone Over in each of their last five meetings. That includes the first two games of this Stanley Cup series. There were nine goals scored in Game 1 and six goals produced in Thursday's Game 2 matchup.

Seattle has to be pleased having split two games in Dallas. Now the Kraken has home ice, where they've averaged four goals a game during their last seven home contests. The Kraken were the No. 5 scoring team in the NHL.

Dallas ranked seventh in scoring and fifth in power play goals. Seattle has a below average penalty kill unit. The Stars have scored four goals in each of their last four games. They also have Joe Pavelski back to spark their attack. The 38-year-old Pavelski has scored five goals already in the series.

It's going to be extremely difficult for the Panthers to be fully up for this Game 1 series matchup against the Maple Leafs. You can't blame the Panthers either. Florida eliminated the Bruins this past Sunday with an overtime Game 7 victory in Boston. The Bruins had set the NHL regular season record with 65 wins and 135 points.

It was a stunning loss for the Bruins and a tremendous victory for the Panthers.

Florida matched-up well to Boston. The Panthers haven't matched-well to the Maple Leafs when playing in Toronto losing nine of the past 11 times there.

Toronto should feel less pressure now after winning their first playoff series in 19 years by taking out the Lightning this past Saturday. It's a great spot for the Maple Leafs. One that should result in a victory.

The Rangers are right where they want to be - on the road and in a Game 7 playoff series.

The Rangers are 8-3 in their last 11 visits against the Devils. Road teams are 31-18 (63%) in the playoffs this season. The No. 1 seeded Bruins and defending champion Avalanche were just eliminated yesterday on their home ice in Game 7 matchups. The Rangers went 2-0 in the Stanley Cup playoffs last year in Game 7's.

The Devils haven't won a playoff series in 11 seasons.

New Jersey could have won the series this past Saturday, but were soundly thrashed, 5-2, in Game 6.

That sets up this Game 7. I like the Rangers' momentum, track record and goalie edge.

Rookie Akira Schmid finally was exposed in net by the Rangers in Game 6. Devils coach Lindy Ruff pulled him after Schmid gave up five goals on 29 shots. Vitek Vanecek went back in goal. Vanecek was the goalie for the first two games of the series and was terrible, surrendering nine goals on 52 shots. So Ruff has a tough, unattractive goalie choice.

The Rangers, on the other hand, have an elite goalie, Igor Shesterkin, who is playing well. Shesterkin has a 1.79 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage in the series.

I see the Bruins ending their first-round series against the Panthers today - and doing it in convincing style.

The Panthers staved off elimination by upsetting the Bruins, 4-3 in overtime, in Boston during Wednesday's Game 5. The Bruins outshot the Panthers, 47-25, but made some horrendous turnovers that cost them the game. I don't see that happening again.

Perhaps the Bruins were pressing too much playing at home. They should be focused being in Florida where they are 2-0 in the series, outscoring the Panthers by six goals during those two games.

Boston is the best team in the NHL. The Bruins will prove it here. I'm confident enough of that to take a nice plus price on them laying 1 1/2 goals on the puck line.

Perhaps they feel less pressure. Some teams just play better on the road, especially when it counts the most.

The Rangers are such a team. New York rolled past the Devils, 5-1 in both Games 1 and 2, in this first-round series. Both wins were at New Jersey.

But then the Rangers seemed to play tight and without Stanley Cup playoff intensity when they returned home, losing a pair of close games to the Devils.

Now the Rangers go back to New Jersey - and I'm expecting them to win this Game 5 there.

New York is 4-1 in its past five away contests. The Rangers have defeated the Devils in eight of the last 11 meetings in New Jersey.

Look for a great effort from the Rangers after their coach, Gerard Gallant, ripped them for their poor play at home.

The Devils are braced for a strong Rangers' performance.

"We are going to see their best game," Devils coach Lindy Ruff said of the Rangers. "There is no doubt, by far, we will see their best game.''

I believe him.

This one could get ugly. The Panthers are down 3-1 in the series, on the verge of elimination. They will hold nothing back. The Bruins are heavily favored. So if the Panthers find themselves trailing late in the game - a logical conclusion - they won't hesitate to pull their goalie even if they fall behind by two or three goals.

Florida certainly is capable offensively. The Panthers were the sixth-highest scoring team in the league. They also were No. 1 in shots on net.

The Bruins were the No. 2 scoring team in the NHL. Boston is averaging 4.4 goals during its past seven games, scoring at least three goals in each of these games.

The Bruins are expected to get back their second-leading goal scorer and team captain, Patrice Bergeron, today. He's missed the entire series after getting hurt during the Bruins' final regular-season game.

The Over has cashed six of the past eight times these teams have met.

Swept the past two games at home, the Panthers find themselves down, 3-1, to the Bruins and on the verge of elimination in this first-round series matchup.

I don't see Florida upsetting the Bruins in Boston in this Game 5. I'm willing, too, to turn a huge lay price into a plus price by laying 1 1/2 goals on the puck line with the Bruins. The bonus being this is a closeout spot so the Panthers won't hesitate to pull their goalie early if down by a goal or two near the end of the game. 

The Bruins have been dominant all season. They certainly are dominant at home having won 42 of their last 51 games there. Florida has lost 20 of the past 26 times in Boston. 

Boston, though, will be taking nothing for granted as the road Panthers upset the Bruins in Game 2. The stinging defeat was a wakeup call for Boston. The Bruins beat the Panthers, 4-2 and 6-2, in Games 3 and 4. Boston's last six victories now have all been by more than one goal. 

As a bonus, the Bruins could get back their captain, Patrice Bergeron. He's yet to play in the series after getting hurt in Boston's regular-season finale. Bergeron is Boston's second-leading goal-scorer. 

This series has been dead even. It's tied 2-2 with three of the four games going into overtime. There have been 27 goals scored, 14 by Edmonton and 13 by LA.

The Kings should have won the last game this past Sunday. They built a 3-0 lead only to lose in overtime.

The Kings have proven themselves on the road going 21-14-6 during the regular season. They have split the two playoff games played in Edmonton during the series.

So I'm expecting another close game and am protected if the game reaches overtime again by taking the puck line.

The Bruins set the NHL regular season record for wins and points. Until proven otherwise, they are the best team in the NHL. They have taken control of their first-round series against the Panthers going up 2-1 following a 4-2 road win against the Panthers two days ago.

I don't see the Panthers getting back into the series after that loss.

The Bruins exposed 30-year-old career minor league goalie Alex Lyon, who allowed several soft goals in Friday's loss. Lyon had been a major surprise for the Panthers down the stretch. But the team may have lost confidence in him now. That could mean a pivot to Sergei Bobrovsky, who hasn't played since March 27. So there would be plenty of rust if the Panthers go with Bobrovsky in net.

The Panthers may not have their best defenseman, Aaron Ekblad, either. He's questionable after getting hurt in Game 3.

The Bruins are 41-11 the past 52 times when playing on one day's rest.

We know the Maple Leafs' choking playoff history. They haven't advanced past the first round since 2004. 

But the buy sign is on Toronto now. The Maple Leafs came back from a 7-3 Game 1 embarrassment to blow out the Lightning, 7-2, this past Thursday. 

It's not just renewed confidence for the Maple Leafs. The Lightning are down from years past. They are not in particularly good form having lost five of their last seven games and they could be missing key defensemen Victor Hedman and Erik Cernak for a second straight game. Both were injured in Game 1. Hedman, in particular, is important. 

Surprised the Islanders are favored against the Hurricanes?

Don't be. The oddsmaker has it right. After two close road losses, the Islanders get to host their first playoff game at UBS Arena.

Carolina nipped New York, 2-1, in Game 1. The Hurricanes nipped the Islanders, 4-3, in overtime in Wednesday's Game 2. The Islanders had 12 penalty minutes in Game 2. Carolina wasn't whistled for a penalty.

The Hurricanes scored the overtime winner on a sequence after the referee failed to call an obvious high stick penalty on Carolina's Jordan Martinook.

The Islanders have won their last four home games. They are due to get some breaks.

The Hurricanes' forward depth took another hit when left winger Teuvo Teravainen suffered a broken hand late in Wednesday's game. Teravainen had 37 points playing on Carolina's top line.

Backing the Maple Leafs in the playoffs can be an exercise in futility. But I see the Maple Leafs coming up big against the Lightning at home in Game 2 of their series after being upset by four goals as a mid-sized favorite two days ago in Game 1.

Toronto is 5-0 the past five times following a home loss of three or more goals.

The Maple Leafs have the talent. Their lack of intensity and mistakes around the net prevalent in Game 1 should be cleaned up here following that opening game, 7-3, embarrassament.

Tampa Bay has lost six of its last eight road games. This is not the great Lightning team of the past few years.

The Lightning also have injury concerns, especially on the blue line. Defenseman Erik Cernak is out. Star defenseman Victor Hedman is questionable with an undisclosed injury. He didn't practice Wednesday.

The Wild played a gutty game in upsetting the Stars, 3-2, in double overtime this past Monday in Dallas to win Game 1 of this Stanley Cup series.

Dallas had won six in a row prior to Monday's game. I like the Stars to come back and win this Game 2 at home.

The Stars dominated the Wild during the third period and in the overtimes with more shots and scoring chances.

But the Wild were able to withstand the pressure despite missing two key players, defenseman John Klingberg and forward Joel Eriksson, their third-leading goal scorer. Both are questionable for this Game 2.