NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: May 14 Preview

Saturday features a trio of Game 7s in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Will the defending champions stay alive? What about Edmonton’s hopes of ending its championship drought? The lines for each of these games are live in the sportsbook now.

Boston @ Carolina
4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

Carolina is a -1.5 puck line favorite and -135 to win outright at home against Boston. The Bruins are +115 to win and the Total Goals Over/Under is 6 (Over +105, Under -125).

The Bruins forced Game 7 with a 5-2 win at home on Thursday. They have had a slight edge in controlling the puck with a 51-percent Corsi score and 52-percent Fenwick. They have also been much more aggressive at putting shots on goal, to the tune of a 198-175 advantage. They have found themselves on the wrong side of the power play on more occasions though. Carolina is getting quality opportunities, which it has not made good on often enough. If the series gets away at home, there will be several moments Rod Brind’Amour will look back at with regret.

The Bruins have been the more aggressive and resourceful team throughout this series. To this point the series can be described as one team imposing its will in each game, coming out the victor. Despite being a little shorthanded, Boston is going to steal another game on the road and win this series.

Tampa Bay @ Toronto
7 p.m. ET on TNT

Toronto is a 1.5 goal puck line favorite and -125 on the moneyline to eliminate Tampa Bay on Saturday. The Lightning are +105 and the Total Goals Over/Under is 6.5, -110 both ways.

The Maple Leafs looked poised to put the defending champions away going into Game 6. They could not finish the job and now the pressure is on. This series has more than lived up to the hype. Shot attempts and puck advantage have been nearly even through six games. The biggest swing in favor of the Lightning has been penalties. Tampa has a 3-goal edge in Power Plays and has played under significantly fewer penalty minutes. There is no room for error from either team. Right now, it looks like Tampa’s poise under the playoff pressure is what has kept the team in it.

Coming into this series, Toronto was favored to win and advance. The longer the series has gone, the more you can see the Lightning pulling even. The Maple Leafs were the more talented team all season. Saturday they will escape Tampa Bay by a goal.

Los Angeles @ Edmonton
10 p.m. ET on ESPN

Edmonton is a -1.5 goal puck line favorite and -215 on the moneyline against Los Angeles. The Kings are +177 to win and the Total Goals Over/Under is 6.5 (Over +100, Under -120).

The Kings and Oilers have been one of the most action-packed first round series. The teams have combined for 440 shot attempts and 42 goals. The Oilers have led this charge, keeping with their offensive strength in the regular season. It is all about volume for Edmonton and they know how to keep the volume coming. They have controlled the puck and defended the net, both well above average all season. The Kings still clawed their way back into this series with back-to-back offensive showings of their own. The forwards of Edmonton are unlikely to be outperformed again on their home ice Saturday though.

We are leaning on the stars to shine in this game, with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl coming through for the Oilers. Edmonton will win and cover.