Expert NHL Best Bets and Predictions for Thursday, May 2

NHL Best Bets

There is only one Stanley Cup Playoff game tonight, and it is in the mecca of hockey. The Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs will play Game Six in Toronto, but there’s one major factor: the Leafs won’t have their best player, the NHL’s leading goal-scorer, Auston Matthews.  Let’s get into my NHL best bets.

Boston at Toronto (-102, 5.5)

Home ice advantage doesn’t necessarily exist for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Dating back to last year’s playoffs, this team enters Game Six on a six-game home losing streak in the playoffs. To make matters worse, they won’t have Matthews. That said, this is now a team that believes they can claw their way back from down 3-1 in the series with it coming back home for the chance to force a Game Seven. 

Toronto played their best game of the series in Game Five in Boston, taking their game to the Bruins. 

Both Jeremy Swayman and Joseph Woll were unbelievable in goal. It was a little more impressive from Woll, considering that was his first start of the postseason. Woll made 27 saves and boasted a .964 save percentage. This game could be considered a goaltending duel with how well Swayman has been all series long. He has skated to a .952 save percentage and a 1.49 goals against average. 

Boston struggled to create offense in Game Five, at least in the first half, but their captain, Brad Marchand, can expect to step up for them tonight. Marchand has been outstanding for Boston in this series, chipping in for three goals with five assists and registered 14 shots on goal in five games. If there’s anyone on Boston who will set the tone tonight, it’s him.

Toronto will need the same kind of performance from Willy Nylander, Mitch Marner and John Tavares tonight. Max Domi was a player that had a strong game as well and without Matthews, he will be needed a little extra tonight. Personally, I think this game is tough to pick a side on, but to me, the total and some shot props stand out. 

There’s going to be a ton of pressure on both sides, and I have faith that Swayman and Woll will stand strong in what should be a tightly-checked game. 

NHL Best Bet(s): Under 1.5 in the 1st Period -115 (-125) | Under 5.5 -115 (play to -125) | Brad Marchand Over 2.5 shots on goal +100 (play to -110) | Max Domi Over 2.5 shots on goal +110 (play to -110)

May Record: 2-0 (+2.00 units)