NHL Playoffs Expert Picks: The First Sweep Of The Postseason

It's time. The Stanley Cup is being polished, the series are locked in as the NHL playoffs begin.

Just like the players, our team is taking no days off either. Michel Anderson and I will be giving picks for every playoff game this season.

Read all of our picks or jump ahead to the game you're most interested in: 

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Rolling Records
Michel: 15-8 (+2.93 Units)
Josie: 11-12 (-0.57 Units)

Game 4: Hurricanes vs Islanders
The Game: Carolina Hurricanes vs NY Islanders, 2 PM ET

Carolina Hurricanes vs NY Islanders Series Preview

Michel's Take: I have no confidence in my Islanders. Their world-class goalie was far from it in Game 3 and cost them the game. There was some fight in the Islanders in Game 3, but it wasn't enough falling 3-2 in regulation.

They were the better team in Game 3 with 51% of possession and 62% of the expected goals. Had Sorokin done his job, the Isles win that game. 

Closing out teams is the hardest thing to do in this sport. With the Isles starring down elimination, there's bound to be some fight in them. Again, i have no confidence in them to actually win, but keep the score close? Yeah. I see that. I'm taking New York on the puckline.

Josie's Take: Do they Islanders know a hockey game is 60 minutes? Yup, three full periods. Yet, Patrick Roy's group seems to compete for only a period or two. I can't imagine how frustrating it must be for the Islanders, nearly but never getting the job done. Last outing, they outshot the Canes 11-3 in the third but had nothing happen in their favor. 

Sorokin, who was pulled in the second period, wasn't the resolution. None of New York's options can outshine Frederik Andersen. I'll say it's been a hard-fought series but Carolina is just simply the better team. Ladies and gentlemen, the first sweep of the playoffs. 

Michel's Pick: Islanders +1.5 (-180)
Josie's Pick: Carolina ML (-185)

Game 4: Panthers vs lightning
The Game: Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning, 5 PM ET

Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning Series Preview

Michel's Take: I finally got the total right in Game 3. So surely, with Sam Bennett yet again missing and with Tampa facing elimination I'm taking the OVER, right?

Wrong. I'm taking the UNDER tonight. Why? Simply put Florida doesn't need to blow Tampa out of the water. All they need to do is play a controlled defensive game and win this one 3-2 (as they've done twice already).

The Panthers are 25-16-1 (61%) against the UNDER on the road this year. In their two playoff games in Tampa in 2022 the UNDER hit both times as well. We can't forget that Florida was the best defensive team in the league this year. They can shut it down when they want to. Tonight is going to be one of those nights.

Josie's Take: Goodbye to the threat that Tampa Bay once was. Florida has controlled this series since the beginning. When trailing last outing, Bobrovsky showed why he is a Conn Smythe contender. The 35-year-old made crucial saves to keep the scoreboard close and give the boys in front of him a chance to catch up. 

All glares are directed to Nikita Kucherov, who has scored just once in his last nine playoff games, and Brayden Point, who didn't even manage a single shot last game. 

However, I still expect a fair amount of goals. The Lightning are in do-or-die mode and should be shooting every chance they get. Meanwhile, the Panthers are motivated by a sweep that has a much-needed resting period that follows. 

But that's not all! I've also compiled a +773 same-game parlay for this potential sweep. 

Michel's Pick: UNDER 6 (+102)
Josie's Pick: OVER 6 (-122)

Game 4: Bruins vs Maple Leafs
The Game: Boston Bruins vs Toronto Maple Leafs, 8 PM ET

Boston Bruins vs Toronto Maple Leafs Series Preview

Michel's Take: Following a loss Toronto is 20-17SU this season. That's of course not great, but it's a winning record. And we've already seen them do it once in this series. So can they do it again in Game 3 on home ice?

It looks like Nylander will play in Game 4, which is an obvious boost for Toronto. Adding a 40-goal scorer in a pivotal game is always huge, right?

More importantly, it gives Boston yet another threat to worry about and likely opens up some space for Toronto's other stars. Adding Nylander's return to the lineup to the motivation coursing through the Leafs brains right now and I can't imagine they lose this game.

Josie's Take: Last game proved Boston isn't scared of Maple Leafs Square or the roar of Scotiabank Arena. The Bruins are 24-9-9 and look to take a commanding 3-1 lead back to Boston. 

Putting Swayman, who recorded a .933SV% across 28 saves, back between the pipes was the right answer for the Bruins.

It's clear the Bruins have a chokehold on the Leafs, winning nine of the last 10 meetings. Heading into this series, Toronto's offense was the most lethal weapon. According to our database, in seven of the last 10 regular and playoff matchups with Boston, that offense has been restricted to two goals or less. And, what the heck is going on with Nylander? 

Boston is just more well-rounded and showing up to play more consistently. 

Michel's Pick: Maple Leafs ML (-115)
Josie's Pick: Boston ML (-105)

Game 3: stars vs golden knights
The Game: Dallas Stars vs Vegas Golden knights, 10:30 PM ET

Dallas Stars vs Vegas Golden Knights Series Preview

Michel's Take: Dallas finally gets a good game from Jake Oettinger (920SV%) and yet still falls 3-1 in Game 2. Losing both home games for the regular-season Western Conference champs is disastrous. 

The Stars are controlling play with 55% of possession, but they just aren't doing enough with it scoring four goals on 5.87 xG. They're just a bit unlucky at the moment. But look Dallas went on a 9-2SU road run at the end of the year losing only to Colorado and Chicago. 

They can win on the road and are playing well enough to win. If Oettinger can play as he did in Game 2, we might see the road time win again in this series.

Josie's Take:  The Golden Knights return to Vegas after going undefeated in Dallas. The energy at T-Mobile Arena is going to be insane. The Stars have faded, allowing 3.50 GPG and their offense has been less than spectacular, notching just one goal last game. 

As Michel has pointed out once or twice, especially on our Stanley Cup page, Vegas' LTIR core has added to the success. Vegas has yet to fall to Dallas (5-0) this year and I don't think they will tonight, either. 

Michel's Pick: Dallas ML (-105)
Josie's Pick: Vegas ML (-115)