Can Carolina Score at Home and Who Wins the Battle of Alberta? NHL Betting Advice

Carolina and New York Game 5 From Raleigh

The Carolina Hurricanes arrive at a crossroads tonight. They have played a dangerous game of not being able to score away from home. Carolina is currently 0-5 on the road in these playoffs but 6-0 at home.

Game 5 is pivotal and the winning team often wins the series. Naturally, there are exceptions like this year’s Edmonton Oilers (dropped Game 5, won Games 6 and 7). 

The Hurricanes must keep winning at home because they haven’t executed on the road. Look at all those 3+ goal games against Boston at home. 

That is what Carolina is eyeing up tonight against a game New York Rangers squad, one of the top five home teams in the league with a higher-octane offense and stingy defense, should get their chances in all phases. 

The idea is this could be the game where a few more goals should be scored than usual. Five or six goals combined would not surprise anyone. 

Here are some bets to consider:

• Carolina wins in regulation – 1.92 (moneyline is 1.67)
• Sebastian Aho anytime goal – 2.95
• Sebastian Aho Over 2.5 shots – 1.74
• Sebastian Aho Over 0.5 points – 1.69 (see about Aho at 1.5 points even)
• The Igor Shesterkin Over on saves.
• Antti Raanta Under on saves. 
• Andrei Svechnikov Over 2.5 shots – 1.74
• Andrei Svechnikov Over 0.5 points – 1.95

Then, there is the Battle Of Alberta 

The Quick Battle Of Alberta Looks

Here are some things to watch as tonight’s contests draw closer.

The series numbers for tonight’s teams have held firm. Can Edmonton, as a 1.18 series favourite close this out in Calgary? Well, the Oilers did steal Game 2. However, every game can be an adventure with Edmonton. Calgary does have a fighting chance at home.

Alas, the problem for Calgary is stopping the bleeding. Jacob Markstrom has to stop more shots. It’s that simple. At one point, Markstrom’s save percentage was right around 81% at even strength. That is frightening. 

Here are a few more ideas for props and picks. 

• Connor McDavid Over 1.5 points – 1.74
• Leon Draisaitl Over 1.5 points – 2.40
• Johnny Gaudreau Over 1.5 points –2.70
• Johnny Gaudreau Over 3.5 shots – 1.91
• Matthew Tkachuk Over 2.5 shots – 1.67
• Edmonton Oilers Over 2.5 goals – 1.62
• Calgary Flames No Goals In One Period – 1.42
• Total Over 6.5 goals – 1.87

Will Round 2 see another team advance onward? We will find out soon enough. 

Good luck betting tonight, but first, a quick look back at Wednesday.

Colorado Started Fast, St. Louis Ended Faster

So, the debates on whether Colorado is a Stanley Cup caliber team took a heated turn on Wednesday night after they blew a 3-0 lead and lost 5-4 in overtime. That loss to the St. Louis Blues means there will be hockey on Friday night from the home of the arch. 

Now, the pressure is still squarely on Colorado. At one point on Wednesday, St. Louis was +21 on the moneyline to win Game 5. That is well less than a 1% chance of winning. No one can be blamed for not even looking at that bet. Who knew?

As for Canadian sports bettors, the player props were a huge boon and continue to be in this series. Nathan MacKinnon hit at least a half-dozen props in Game 5 by himself. Aside from the obvious hat trick, MacKinnon added an assist as well. He was everywhere and like Connor McDavid a few times in this postseason, MacKinnon deserved a better fate.

St. Louis ended the game at a faster pace. The entire second half and overtime of Game 5 belonged to the Blues. It was a lot more than Robert Thomas’ two goals. Even Vladimir Tarasenko got into the act again with a goal and an assist.