Free NHL Eastern Conference Playoff Picks, Best Bet, and Parlays for 5/22/22

After a night off for the Eastern Conference playoffs on Saturday, we return to action with a Sunday afternoon doubleheader. If you like tight-checking defensive hockey you should be in for a treat today. Both the Rangers and the Panthers are on the ropes and desperately need a victory to keep from going down 3-0 in their respective series. We will see if they can get that win they sorely need.

We missed our Best Bet last night as we picked the Blues to upset the Avalanche. Our Best Bet of the Day record is now 57-42 since the All-Star Break.

We went 0-1 betting the MoneyLine. Our overall record is now 372-211 as the playoffs continue.

Let’s take a look at the two Eastern Conference games today. Both are toss-ups in my book and a lucky bounce will probably be the difference.

*PAPA DUDES BEST BET OF THE DAY* Carolina at New York: Carolina leads the series 2-0: This series shifts to New York after two closely contested games in Raleigh that the Hurricanes were able to win. The Rangers scored only 1 goal in the first two games and have been stymied by the Carolina defense and the outstanding goaltending of Antti Raanta. Raanta has stepped in for the injured Frederik Andersen and has a save percentage of 94%. There is no reason for him to not continue his great play. Meanwhile, the Rangers have received great defensive play and Igoe Shesterkin has played just as well as Raanta. The first two games have been nip and tuck and could have gone either way. I think it is time that the puck bounces in the direction of New York. PAPA DUDES BEST BET: Bet the MoneyLine on the Rangers -105

Florida at Tampa Bay: Tampa Bay leads the series 2-0: This series has been a great example of playoff experience making a big difference between two teams. The first two games in Florida were very tight, and the Lightning were able to eke out a couple of wins over a Florida team, that is in the 2nd round for the first time since 1996. But, it is important to point out that Florida wasn’t that badly outplayed. They haven’t been able to solve the goaltending of Andrei Vasilevskiy who has saved 68 of the 70 shots he has faced so far. Florida continues to struggle with the man advantage and they are now 0-25 in the playoffs in the power play. This is something that they have to figure out. Before the playoffs started, everyone assumed the Panthers would score goals, and if they lost, it would be because of shaky goaltending and defense. That has not been the case. On the other hand, Tampa Bay has shown they have the heart of a champion, winning a Game 7 on the road over a great Toronto team, and following that up with two tightly contested wins over the Panthers away from home. Now the series shifts to Tampa and they have a chance to gain complete control in this 2nd round matchup. I’m tempted to pick Florida with their backs to the wall, but I can’t pick against the Lightning. PAPA DUDES PICK: Bet the MoneyLine on Tampa Bay -105