NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs 2nd Round Weekend Preview for Game 5

The Carolina Hurricanes booked their ticket to the Eastern Conference finals last night, while the Florida Panthers look to do the same on Friday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Meanwhile, out West, the Dallas Stars head to Seattle for game six on Saturday with a 3-2 series lead, while the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights are tied 2-2 and are preparing for game four on Friday night.

MyBookie has your NHL Stanley Cup betting preview, starting with Friday Nights matchups.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Weekend Preview

Florida Panthers (+142) vs Toronto Maple Leafs (-175) Game Five

Edmonton Oilers vs Golden Knights | East 2nd Round – Game 5, FLA leads series 3-1
When: Friday, May 12, 7:00 pm ET
Where: Scotiabank Arena | Toronto, Canada
TV / Streaming: TNT

The Toronto Maple Leafs enter game five as significant home favorites (-175) over the Florida Panthers (+142). The Maple Leafs had a 27-8-6 home record in the regular season, while the Panthers had a 19-19-3 road record.

However, with the head-to-head season series tied at 4-4, the road team and underdog is 6-1 in the previous seven matchups.

The five-on-five statistical advantage favors the Panthers, while the Maple Leafs have the special team’s edge.

We’re taking the Florida Panthers to win on the road in game five and secure their ticket to the Eastern Conference playoffs.

If Toronto does win game five, they should be big favorites going back to South Florida for game six, and we’ll be picking the Maple Leafs to force an improbable game seven, ratcheting up the pressure on the Florida Panthers with each successive win.

NHL Playoff Pick: Maple Leafs | Bet Panthers vs Maple Leafs Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

Edmonton Oilers (-130) vs Vegas Golden Knights (+107) Game Five

Edmonton Oilers vs Golden Knights | West 2nd Round – Game 5, Series tied 2-2
When: Friday, May 12, 10:00 pm ET
Where: T-Mobile Arena | Paradise, Nevada
TV / Streaming: TNT

Both teams will be missing a key defenseman due to suspension in game five, which somewhat equalizes the losses to each roster. Moreover, if there is one second-round series that seems poised to go seven games, it’s the Edmonton Oilers and VGK.

Edmonton holds a 5-3 head-to-head series lead this season. The road team is 5-3, with Edmonton posting a 3-1 road record. Edmonton had a 27-11-3 road record this season, while Vegas had a 25-15-1 home record.

Offensively, no one can touch the Oilers’ high-end talent that has them ranked first in scoring and powerplay efficiency in the regular season and playoffs. We’re taking Edmonton to win on the road and take a 3-2 series lead.

We’re also taking Edmonton in game six on Sunday, regardless if they win or lose on Friday night.

The Oilers are second behind the Carolina Hurricanes in odds to win the Stanley Cup, listed at +370, and we expect those odds to improve when the Oilers eliminate the Vegas Golden Knights in game six or seven.

NHL Playoff Pick: Take the Over | Bet Oilers vs Golden Knights Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

Saturday, May 13th, 2023: Seattle Kraken vs Dallas Stars Game Six

While there are no odds as of publication, the Dallas Stars will likely be either slight road underdogs or favorites heading into game six in Seattle with a chance to move to the Western Conference finals with a win.

The Stars had a 25-11-5 road record, while the Kraken had a 20-17-4 home record this season.

Dallas holds a 5-3 head-to-head series lead, while the road team has a 5-3 record. Dallas has a 3-1 road record against the Kraken this season.

We’re taking the Stars to eliminate the Seattle Kraken in game six. If the Kraken force a game seven, we might favor Seattle to pull off the upset.

We’re also taking the over: the over is 8-0 in head-to-head matchups this season.

NHL Playoff Pick: Take the Over | Bet Kraken vs Stars Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

Carolina Hurricanes (+242)

As the only team who has moved one step toward playing for Lord Stanley’s Cup, the odds for the Carolina Hurricanes to win the Stanley Cup have changed. The Canes are the Stanley Cup betting favorite by default, currently listed at +242.

The Hurricanes have lived up to their preseason betting favorite status, eliminating the New Jersey Devils in the second round to emerge as the Metropolitan Division representative in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Carolina has been one of the better defensive teams all season but has the ability to take advantage of a bad goaltending night and score goals in bunches.

The Canes started the season as betting favorites to win the Stanley Cup and will likely be the favorite from the Eastern Conference to win the greatest trophy in sports later this Spring.

NHL Playoff Pick: Hurricanes to win | Bet Carolina Hurricanes to Win
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Stanley Cup

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