Welcome to the NHL Playoffs - ROUND 2! Like we did throughout the regular season, the Fantasy Alarm will have you covered in the playoffs. You’ll find our daily NHL Best Bets along with which players you should be targeting in DFS. We’ve conveniently put it all in one article, just to make life simple. If you have more questions, make sure to hit up the Fantasy Alarm NHL Discord. Let’s dive into the action and build a winning lineup!

 

 

 

NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 5/8

 

 

 

Hurricanes vs. Capitals Prediction: Thursday, May 8th

Game 1 was what I expected on the scoreboard a low scoring grind it out game but what I didn't expect was how the Hurricanes dominated the Capitals for almost the entire game. 13 shots was all Washington could muster in the overtime loss and now they find themselves down 1-0 looking to even the series. 

Going down 2-0 at home seems like a death sentence and it just might be as the Canes were one of the best home teams in the NHL this season at 31-9-1 in the regular season and are 3-0 in the playoffs. That means its go time for the boys in red and I think they play determined hockey today. The total is a good bet on the under as always given the elite goaltending but I am going to opt for the Capitals on the Money Line to even the series as they get more desperate and physical needing this win. Logan Thompson playing his tail off should also help things along too after he had a 31 save night and looks to be in good form after his injury scare in the opening round. 

Oilers vs. Golden Knights Prediction: Thursday, May 8th  


Well it didn't happen in Game 1 but it was close! I am of course talking about the over of 6.5 goals that fell short as Calvin Pickard actually had a good game in net for the Oilers. Good game may actually be stretching it as he only made 15 saves but nonetheless Edmonton played defense but that was a fluke and you all know that to be true. 

Oilers were a mess on defense all season long and in their opening round series against the Kings. Vegas at home scored 3.59 goals per game in the regular season and has just 11 goals in 4 games on home ice in the playoffs? That's just not adding up for me and I see the dam about to break!

Then of course you have the Oilers offense who is good for 3+ goals per game with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the charge. In fact Edmonton leads the league this postseason with 4.43 goals per game and nobody behind them is relatively close. Rock with the over on the total one more time, I can feel the fireworks coming. 

 

 

Today's NHL DFS Cheat Sheet

Goalie Of The Day: Logan Thompson - WSH

Going back to the well here as I can't start a goalie in the Oilers and Golden Knights series! By the numbers Logan Thompson is the best goalie left in the playoffs when it comes to goals saved above expected. Parlay that with a matchup at home against the Canes and I see a good night coming from the Capitals goaltender. 

The Hurricanes struggled on offense on the road this season with 2.71 scored per game and they show the scoring issues in Game 1 despite putting up a bunch of shots. The floor should be secure and the ceiling is as good as any bodies tonight. 

Player Of The Day: Connor McDavid - EDM

In a two game slate who else could be the player of the day!? McDavid is the best player in this postseason at this time and he showed it in the their Game 1 win on the road Tuesday night with 2 assists. I like Vegas to win this game but McDavid is always going to get his. It also helps that the Oilers play offense with the dial cranked up to 10 at all times so give me some McDavid!

Value Play Of The Day: Aliaksei Protas - WSH

The one player for Washington in their Game 1 loss that played rather well was Protas who continues his breakout season and had the only goal in the defeat. In addition he had 4 shot attempts and played almost as much as Ovechkin but at a fraction of the DFS price. Caps will be looking to bounce back today and Protas would be a big part of that narrative. 

 

Top Stack of the Day - VGK - Jack Eichel, Ivan Barbashev, Mark Stone