We rate each pick 1 to 5 units with 5 being the strongest play (read about units).
Risk 1% of your bankroll per unit (never risk more than 5% of total bankroll on any pick).
Game: Ottawa at Pittsburgh (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Ottawa -123 (risk 3 to win 2.4)
Sidney Crosby is playing well in his playoff debut but it looks like it just won't be enough. The Senators took a 2-1 series lead with atheir 4-2 win on Sunday. It comes down to shots - a category in which Ottawa leads Pittsburgh 99-66 thus far! Tired home underdogs of up to +200 that have played 4+ games in 7 days, revenging a loss in which they gave up 4+ goals are just 56-137 (29%) over the past five seasons. If they are playing their third game in four days and that loss was by 2+ goals, they are just 17-50 (25%). Pittsburgh is overmatched and against the ropes. Take the Senators.
Game: Vancouver at Dallas (8:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Dallas -155 (risk 3 to win 1.9)
The past two games in this series have been a goaltending showcase put on by Marty Turco and Roberto Luongo. Five total goals have been scored in the past two games and no player has scored more than one goal in the series. Dallas has won four of the last five in this matchup at home and we like them to win again here. They have given up just 10 total goals over their last five games and Vancouver isn't likely to score much here. NHL road underdogs of +100 to +150 after allowing under two goals last game are just 26-72 (26%) when facing an opponent that has allowed under 3 goals in two straight games. The Stars are 29-18 vs. winning teams this season including 15-6 vs. teams at 60%+. Take the home team.
Game: Detroit at Calgary (10:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Detroit -137 (risk 3 to win 2.2)
Calgary is playing awful and Detroit has obviously remembered what happened to them last year when they came out soft in the opening round of the playoffs. So far Detroit has outshot Calgary 97-35! Calgary is tough at home but right now they have no momentum and can't score agains the tough Red Wings defense. The Flames are now 0-6 in April. Detroit is 27-10 in second-half play over the past two seasons vs. winning teams. Detroit is motivated and Calgary has no momentum at all. We'll back the Red Wings again here.
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