The Stanley Cup Playoffs continue on Saturday with four games spread throughout the day.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to sweep away the Ottawa Senators, while there are a few pivotal Game 3s and 4s as well.
Let’s get right into my NHL picks with a pair of parlays for April 26.
Today's best NHL Playoffs parlays: April 26
Panthers moneyline
Golden Knights moneyline
Senators moneyline
Pick #1: Panthers moneyline
The Florida Panthers stole two games in Tampa Bay and now return home with a commanding 2-0 series lead. This Cats team knows how to play in the playoffs, as shown by two straight runs to the Stanley Cup Final, and they’ve flipped the switch here against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
This is a series where it wouldn't have been too surprising if there was only a road win or two. Both the Lightning (29-8-4 at home, 18-19-4 on the road) and Panthers (27-10-2 home, 20-19-2 road) thrive on home ice but are just barely over .500 otherwise. The Cats have already won two on the road and return home as -135 favorites.
The injury to Aleksander Barkov does cause some pause, but Brandon Hagel is suspended for Saturday’s game due to his hit. Barkov is the only potential injury for the Panthers, who also have defenseman Aaron Ekblad set to return.
Pick #2: Golden Knights moneyline
The Vegas Golden Knights are facing a 2-1 series deficit vs. the Minnesota Wild on Saturday afternoon, but it’s not as if they’ve been playing bad hockey on the whole. The Wild have been able to capitalize on Vegas’ uncharacteristic mistakes and Filip Gustavsson has shut the door at the other end.
Vegas won Game 1, but that was actually its worst performance overall. The Knights were out-attempted 67-63 at 5-on-5 in Game 1 before holding 85-48 and 56-28 advantages in the next two games. Of course, none of that matters if you can't find the back of the net, but it shows that Vegas has largely been controlling play against the Wild.
The Knights aren't unfamiliar with playoff adversity and aren't a group that will panic despite being down 2-1 in the series on the road. If they play their game and get decent goaltending from Adin Hill, this will be a 2-2 series headed back to Vegas.
Pick #3: Senators moneyline
The Ottawa Senators are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2017, and it sure looks like that. They’ve yet to win a game through three contests despite pushing the Toronto Maple Leafs to overtime in each of the last two games.
The Leafs are now one win away from advancing to the second round while the Sens are staring a sweep in the face. However, much like with Vegas, the Sens have played decent hockey and probably deserve better than their 0-3 fate.
The Senators have 171 shot attempts at 5-on-5 in the series to the Maple Leafs' 118, including an advantage in scoring chances of 64-46.
Ottawa went 27-11-3 at home in the regular season and won five straight against Toronto heading into the playoffs. This may be a different Leafs team this season, but that doesn't mean they have a sweep in them.
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Golden Knights vs. Wild Under 5.5
Maple Leafs vs. Senators Under 5.5
Avalanche moneyline
Pick #1: Golden Knights vs. Wild Under 5.5
The Golden Knights are known for their stout defense and they’ll have to return to their roots in Game 4 in Minnesota.
The Wild did have 30 shots in Game 3, but that was after putting up 20 and 16 in Games 1 and 2. Vegas should be looking to get back to that type of hockey in front of Hill on Saturday afternoon.
All three games thus far have been high-scoring affairs with a total of 20 goals, but there were 16 goals in their three regular-season meetings.
Hill got chased in Game 3 but should be locked and loaded for a battle against Gustavsson in Game 4.
Pick #2: Maple Leafs vs. Senators Under 5.5
The Maple Leafs opened the playoffs with a 6-2 win over the Senators thanks to three power-play goals on six attempts. Since then, we’ve seen two straight 3-2 overtime decisions in what have been tight-checking games in the Battle of Ontario.
There’s no reason to think that will change in Game 4. Sure, the Leafs may smell blood in the water, and the Senators might be a little desperate, but these teams aren’t the high-scoring ones we saw last season.
The Senators outscored the Leafs 9-3 in three regular-season games with 4-2 being the highest-scoring contest. Things have tightened up even more in the playoffs with both teams at the top of their game.
Perhaps most importantly, Anthony Stolarz has stepped up in the playoffs and the Senators have former Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark in net.
Pick #3: Avalanche moneyline
The Colorado Avalanche face a 2-1 series deficit to the Dallas Stars but have a great opportunity to tie things up on home ice.
The Avalanche went 26-11-4 at home this season while the Stars were 22-16-3 on the road. That includes the Avs winning both regular-season meetings: 6-3 on January 18 and 4-3 in overtime on March 16.
This should be a longer series that could very well go the full seven games. Either team going up 3-1 in this series would’ve surprised me given the talent and depth on both sides.
Not intended for use in MA.
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