NHL picks: Canadiens vs. Jets, Golden Knights vs. Avalanche

The Stanley Cup playoffs roll on this Wednesday with a pair of fascinating games, and we have a side selected in both contests!

First we’ll dive into the series opener between the Montreal Canadiens and the Winnipeg Jets. Then we’ll look at a late-night Game 2 between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Colorado Avalanche.

Montreal Canadiens at Winnipeg Jets, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN

The Canadiens come into Game 1 with the Jets off a quick turnaround following an emotional Game 7 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night. A rested Winnipeg squad should draw first blood in this spot.

After posting a 4-1 victory in Game 1 over the Edmonton Oilers, the Jets took three straight one-goal games to complete the sweep, including a 4-3 triple-OT decision in Game 4. They couldn’t have done it without goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who had a 1.60 GAA and .950 save % in the first-round series.

The Habs did not win their series with the Maple Leafs via offense, as they averaged a modest two goals per game. Carey Price stood on his head at times, as he posted a 2.24 GAA and .932 save % against one of the NHL’s better offenses.

Winnipeg will need to take advantage of its special teams prowess to win Game 1 as well as the second-round series. They were seventh in the regular season in power play %, and cashed on three of their 10 chances against the Oilers. By contrast, Montreal was 20th in the regular season on the power play, and were 0-for-14 through five games against Toronto before finally cashing in three times during the Maple Leafs’ collapse.  

NHL pick: Jets -141, Under 5.5 goals

Vegas Golden Knights at Colorado Avalanche, 10:00 p.m. ET, NBCSN

Game 1 between the Golden Knights and Avalanche did not live up to the hype, as Colorado crushed Vegas 7-1. Now the Avs are prohibitive favorites, setting up a solid opportunity for underdog bettors.

The Golden Knights delivered an effort in Game 1 that was simply too bad to be believed. They were at a disadvantage from the start, visiting an Avalanche squad that had a week off, while they had just one day off following a Game 7 triumph over the Minnesota Wild.

This is a good bounce-back spot for Vegas, as they’ve won nine straight games following a loss of three or more goals. Though a moneyline bet is very tempting, taking the Knights to cover on the puckline looks like the wiser wager. It provides for a multitude of outcomes, including an overtime decision.

NHL pick: Golden Knights +1.5 goals (-159)