The NHL Playoffs continue with two games on Tuesday night. First up is Hurricanes vs. Capitals Game 1 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. After that we've got Oilers vs. Golden Knights Game 1 at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
My NHL picks have been on fire as of late, hitting my last five, including two parlays. Let's continue that momentum with my NHL best bets and predictions for Tuesday, May 6.
NHL Best Bets Tuesday
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 9:30 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NHL Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Hurricanes vs. Capitals
Carolina enters this bout as the slight favorites, which is a head-scratcher.
By no means can the Hurricanes run with the Capitals, but need I remind you that the Canes went 16-21-4 on the road, while Washington went 26-9-4 at home?
Home and away records never tell the full story, but Carolina’s away record tells a mighty one. Before the playoffs started, it lost six consecutive road games, and for the season, it lost both games at Capital One Arena.
It eventually broke the schneid, facing the Devils in the first round, who were already shorthanded. Jack Hughes was out, and it was revealed that Jesper Bratt was dealing with a shoulder injury that required surgery.
Washington, on the other hand, is totally buzzin’.
The Eastern Conference points leader seemingly dog-walked the Montreal Canadiens in the first round by winning the series 4-1. Five players are averaging at least a point per game in the playoffs, led by Dylan Strome, who’s registered nine points in five games.
The Caps also have a bigger goaltending advantage. Logan Thompson has had an insane season in his first season as the starter for Washington, posting a 31-6-6 record with a .910 SV%.
Carolina’s goaltending situation is sort of in flux. It recently extended a contract with Freddie Andersen, who’s always been a quality netminder. The problem is, throughout his tenure in Raleigh, Andersen has dealt with a myriad of injury problems, which possibly opens the door for lesser netminders like Pyotr Kochetkov and Spencer Martin.
Which makes the odds that more baffling. It’s not like Carolina has a significant 5-on-5 edge and the Canes were solid on the power play, but if anything, I would think Washington should be the slight favorite.
Perhaps odds change closer to puck drop, or maybe the books know something I don’t, but I’m riding with the Caps and I’m not thinking twice.
Pick: Capitals ML (+105)
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Oilers vs. Golden Knights
Whenever these two teams face off, it’s prime television.
It’ll be even sweeter in the playoffs as the Oilers look for revenge from when Vegas eliminated them in the 2023 playoffs and went on to win the Stanley Cup.
From when Alex Pietrangelo fractured Leon Draisaitl’s wrist to Evander Kane’s noted disdain for the Knights, don’t be surprised if there’s a lot of bad blood in this juggernaut duel.
For Game 1 of this West Coast battle, I’m targeting the total here, which is listed at 6.5.
Typically, in games with 6.5 as the total, I would lean toward the under, but given Edmonton’s history, it’s hard not to let temptation get the best of you.
In the six-game series against the Kings, Edmonton scored four or more goals four times, which is expected, led by superstars like Connor McDavid and Draisaitl. The difference is, goaltending in Edmonton is always volatile, and it showed with the total reaching over 6.5 goals in five of the six games.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Cal Pickard gets the nod for Game 1, considering he revived the Oilers last series. However, Pickard was always a backup at best, and who knows when Kris Knoblauch opts to go back to Stuart Skinner?
One way or another, I think Skinner plays again, and Skinner will let in a lot of softie goals, which plays perfectly into Vegas’ game.
Vegas has a myriad of net front presences in Tomas Hertl and Mark Stone, who can push either Pickard or Skinner deep into the crease. Also, the Knights’ depth has shone out, most notably with Brett Howden, who not only had a career-best season but is tied for the team lead in goals during the playoffs.
While I like Adin Hill for Vegas, he let in some questionable goals against Minnesota. He may have the Stanley Cup pedigree, but if Darcy Kuemper of the Kings had a hard time against Edmonton, it may be the same fate for Hill.
At plus-money, why not? Let’s hammer the over.
If you want to parlay these picks and make some more cash (I’ve hit my past two NHL parlays!), hit the +305 quickslip at the top.
Pick: Over 6.5 (+102)
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