NHL Playoffs Picks, Thursday 5/3: Flyers Devils, Blues Kings Game Three

NHL Playoffs Picks and Predictions, Thursday 5/3: Philadelphia Flyers at New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues at LA Kings, St. Louis Blues at LA Kings Game Three

The Philadelphia Flyers are lucky to be tied in their series with the New Jersey Devils. Philly squeaked out an overtime win after coming out extremely flat. In Game Two, Ilya Bryzgalov kept them in the game long enough to collapse in the third under a 40-minute Devils onslaught that produced four goals. They’re probably the better team, but with no goaltending, heart, leadership, or energy it might not be enough. Here’s hoping. The Blues are down two games to none, missing their starting goalie, and getting dominated by the LA Kings. Can they bounce back? Game Three is often the most fun game of a seven-game series.

Game Three for the Preds and Rangers was extremely profitable. The puck line hit for the Preds and the Rangers squeaked out an unbelievably exciting triple-overtime victory against the Caps. We went 3-0 counting the money line and puck line wagers on the Preds. With a 2-0 day that followed a 1-0 day, I’m now 3-0 over the past two days and that’s pretty neat.

Philadelphia Flyers at New Jersey Devils (-115)

I’m expecting the Flyers to respond after the New Jersey Devils embarrassed them on home ice in the final two periods, but I’m not entirely sure they’re capable of redemption. It’s possible the Penguins series took more out of the Flyers than we thought, and with Ilya Kovalchuk out of the lineup the Devils had some energy in Game Two. Ilya Bryzgalov is an incredible liability at this point in the series, and the Devils have the greatest goaltender in hockey protecting the pipes. That’s an advantage that won’t be easily overcome.

Philadelphia will push back, but when the Devils surge somewhere halfway through this game, can Bryzgalov stand tall? He held them in the game through the second period where the Flyers were outshot 12-2. Bryzgalov followed his miracle of a period by letting in three goals before an empty netter finished the blowout.

Marty will surely be sharp again. He’s carried the Devils since Game Five of the first round with absolutely phenomenal play. His goaltending edge could be the difference if the Devils can sustain their Game Two efforts again.

So, will New Jersey be able to keep up their play? Will Bryz bounce back? My guess is that the answer to both of those questions is no, and some soft goals under pressure will be the difference in favor of the Devils.

Devils 3 – Flyers 2

Confidence: 1/6
Value: 2/6

St. Louis Blues (EVEN) at LA Kings

The Blues are struggling. They lost both games at home, the second in disastrous fashion. The Kings are hot and playing spectacular special teams. LA has a great goalie while the Blues are without the part of their tandem they wanted in net. The Kings are scoring and St. Louis is not. All signs point to the Kings here, but my gut says the Blues aren’t done. They’re a bad bounce away from winning the first game in this series and after losing Game Two this badly they’ll bounce back.

Blues 3 – Kings 1

Confidence: 1/6
Value: 1/6 – After the first two games, this line is rough, but I think they’ll bounce back.

Playoffs: 35-23