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The opening round of the NHL playoffs is well underway, with a pair of teams, The Panthers and Rangers, already clinching a place in the next round.

The moment of truth is approaching and it’s time to take a look at tonight’s Top Games to prepare your favorite NHL betting strategies: Maple Leafs vs Bruins, Islanders vs Hurricanes, Avalanche vs Jets and Predators vs Canucks.

My Analysis

Tuesday night promises to be a busy one, with 4 games on tap. Each of the series being played on Tuesday night has one team coming into each of the Game 5 matchups with a 3-1 lead, so there is a very distinct possibility that the status of the second round will begin to look a whole lot clearer once these games go final. Will we see all 4 teams with the lead move on or will a team or two be able to keep their playoff hopes alive. Let’s take a look at the 4 NHL playoff games for Tuesday night.

Toronto Maple Leafs +108 at Boston Bruins -132

I honestly thought that we might see this series go the distance, but it once again looks as though the Maple Leafs are headed for another early playoff exit. The Bruins head back home with a 3-1 series lead they thoroughly deserve after holding Toronto to a total of just 7 goals through the opening 4 games. That’s a problem for Toronto, which is exacerbated by the fact that they have failed to win in Boston in 4 attempts this season. I have to take the Bruins to move on tonight.

NHL Expert Pick Toronto Maple Leafs 2, Boston Bruins 4

New York Islanders +157 at Carolina Hurricanes -194

This series is pretty much going the way I expected, with the Hurricanes opening up a 3-1 lead over the Islanders as they prepare to head home. Carolina actually came very close to a sweep in Game 4, with the Islanders managing to stay alive after winning in double overtime. In my opinion, they simply avoided the inevitable, as I expect the Hurricanes to take care of business on home ice tonight. That said, the Islanders did win both road games in Carolina this regular season, so perhaps it will be close.

NHL Expert Pick New York Islanders 3, Carolina Hurricanes 4

Colorado Avalanche -115 at Winnipeg Jets -106

Of the 4 games being played this evening, this is the one that I feel least confident about, despite the fact that the Avalanche head into Winnipeg with a 3-1 lead. This is a series that has delivered offense in a big way, so the safe way to play this one might well be to go with the OVER, although I do have to go out on a limb and try and pick a winner. After grinding out a 7-6 win in Game 1, the Jets have been essentially blown out in 3 straight games. Still, I think they find a way to stay alive on Tuesday night.

NHL Expert Pick Colorado Avalanche 3, Winnipeg Jets 5

Nashville Predators -104 at Vancouver Canucks -117

The Canucks may have a 3-1 lead, but this series has been close, with each of the last 2 games decided by a single goal. After giving up home ice advantage after a split in the opening 2 games, the Canucks quickly grabbed it back after winning both games in Nashville. They are not going to want to make another trip back to the Music City, so look for the Canucks to close things out in their own building, although I have a feeling this will be another close game.

NHL Expert Pick Nashville Predators 2, Vancouver Canucks 3