Friday’s Daily NHL tips and best bets feature a couple of plays on two crucial Game 6’s, starting with the Leafs taking on the Sens, and the Wild hosting the Golden Knights.
Game 6 – TOR Leads 3-2
Here we go again.
All the pressure is firmly on the Leafs after dropping two straight games, the latest being a 4-0 shutout at home that created further doubt around this cursed franchise.
Surprisingly, the bookies have reacted accordingly, installing the Leafs as outsiders on the road in Ottawa, despite the fact they’ve outshot the Sens in their last two games.
The core four has come under fire over the last two games with Auston Matthews nursing a hand injury and William Nylander showing little defensive effort at times. Mitch Marner has developed a reputation for not showing up in big games, but unlike in years past, it feels like the Leafs aren’t panicking – at least if you believe what the players are saying.
Given the Leafs’ history, I couldn’t possibly back either team H2H here. Instead, I’ll take Marner to defy the narrative and leave his mark on Sens goalie Linus Ullmark.
Game 6 – VGK Leads 3-2
Another crucial Game 6 with the Golden Knights looking to close things out on the road in Minnesota.
It’s become abundantly clear that the Wild might just be making up the numbers this year, struggling to keep pace with Vegas in just about every statistical category so far.
Wednesday’s 3-2 loss saw Minnesota win over 39% of face-offs and register just 22 shots on goal, hardly a winning formula after allowing a short-handed goal to start the game.
Jack Eichel has really come into his own over the last two games, registering a combined 11 shots. Backing him to go over his shots total is another worthwhile play, as Vegas likely wraps up a series they should have won a long time ago.