Stanley Cup Playoffs: Senators vs Rangers and Blues vs Predators

The road to the NHL Stanley Cup is fierce and it’s bound to get even more cutthroat. Today, the Ottawa Senators and New York Rangers face off in Game 3 of that series; then, the St. Louis Blues compete against the Nashville Predators in Game Four of that series. And, you can grab your two picks on both games just below.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2017 Two Picks For Second Round

• What: Ottawa Senators vs New York Rangers
• When: May 02, 2017, 7:00 PM ET
• Where: Madison Square Garden
• Moneyline: Rangers -171 vs Senators +154
• Over/Under: 5

Betting on the Senators?

Behind a heroic effort from Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who rallied to score the final two goals for his team including the game-winner, the Senators are now up 2-0 in the series.

Ottawa won a double-overtime battle that ended 6-5. However, the games now head to New York where winning will be harder. Pageau nevertheless now adds more depth to this team, that along with Bobby Ryan and Derick Brassard could pose major headaches for New York’s defenders.

Goalie Craig Anderson has proved himself in minding the sticks. In Game 2, he stopped 43 of 48 shots faced; but, in New York he’ll need the support of his defenders as the Rangers shooters will be looking for blood. Anderson is 6-2 with a 2.09 GAA and .923 SV% in eight starts thus far these playoffs.

Betting on the Rangers?

Losing Game 2 after leading 5-3 with just under four minutes to go is a hard pill to swallow. However, playing on their home ice should lift the Rangers’ spirits as they’re 4-1 at home in their last five games.

Playing at the Garden should also give Henrik Lundqvis an additional motivational boost. The Rangers’ star goalie gave up 6 goals on 34 shots faced which adds to the 8 goal count on 77 shots faced in this series. New York is counting on Lundqvis to have a shutout performance, which should even out things heading into the next games.

Game Prediction: New York wins 3-2. Ottawa is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing NY Rangers; NY Rangers is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games at home.

• What: St. Louis Blues vs Nashville Predators
• When: May 01, 2017, 7:30 PM ED
• Where: PPG Paints Arena
• Moneyline: Predators -154 vs Blues +139
• Over/Under: 5

Betting on the Blues?

Even while goalie Jake Allen continues to rise to the occasion and stopping as many shots as he can, the Blues’ offense is still struggling to produce results.

Allen recorded 31 saves and had a .912 save percentage in Game 3, but the offense could only produce 23 shots on goal and Alex Steen was the only Blue that scored in the game.

Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz  will need to step things up; if not not, the Blues will find themselves practically out of competition if they lose tonight.

Betting on the Predators?

After losing the second game of the series, the Predators have rallied back to win Game 3. Nashville has played well in these last two games, having a style of play that’s effective on both ends of the ice.

Former Colorado Avalanche veteran Cody McLeod, who joined the Preds just last season, found the back of the net in Game 3, tallying up 5 goals on his count in the season. The Predators have scored three or more goals in their last seven games, so expect them to be continue their scoring ways.

Goalie Pekka Rinne has also proved effective; the 34-year old sports the top save percentage this postseason at .950. Playing on his home ice once more will likely also favor Rinne.

Game Prediction: St. Louis ties the series winning this game 3-2. St. Louis is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games; Nashville is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games at home.