The Stanley Cup playoffs are on the brink of a historic milestone. The Carolina Hurricanes have already won seven straight games to open the postseason, and the Colorado Avalanche could match that feat when they visit the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. If both teams achieve this, it would be the first time in NHL history that two clubs opened the playoffs with seven consecutive wins in the same year. Only four franchises have ever started with eight straight playoff victories, with the Edmonton Oilers—who won nine in a row—being the most recent.
Before those matchups take center stage, here are our top three betting recommendations for Friday’s action, with odds courtesy of FanDuel.
**Anaheim Ducks vs. Vegas Golden Knights – Over 6.5 Total Goals (+114)**
Both games in this series have ended 3-1, with the Ducks delivering a strong defensive performance in their Game 2 win to even the set as it shifts to Anaheim. That’s surprising, given that Anaheim ranked 29th in the NHL during the regular season for goals allowed per game. We’re not convinced the Ducks have suddenly become a shutdown team. Expect a return to the norm for these sides, which means more scoring. In the first round, the Ducks allowed four goals in four of six games against Edmonton while scoring 26 total in that series. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights averaged four goals per game in their six-game triumph over the Utah Mammoth.
**Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres – Cole Caufield to Score a Goal (+175)**
After a 4-2 loss in the series opener to the Buffalo Sabres, all eyes are on Montreal’s star forward Cole Caufield, who has struggled to produce in the playoffs. This season, Caufield became just the seventh Canadiens player to hit 50 goals (he finished with 51), the first since Stephane Richer in 1989-90. However, in the postseason, he has only one goal in eight games and has failed to record a point in his last four outings. Montreal came off an emotional Game 7 win over Tampa Bay and looked flat in the conference semifinal opener. Expect a sharper performance from the Canadiens—and a fired-up Caufield.
**Vegas Golden Knights – Jack Eichel to Record 3+ Shots on Goal (-128)**
After two games in their series, the Golden Knights will look to generate more offensive pressure, particularly in the Anaheim zone. Vegas has been limited to just 22 shots on goal in each of the first two contests. Jack Eichel, who averaged 3.51 shots per game during the regular season, has only 21 shots in eight playoff games and just three through the first two games of this series. He is due for a breakout performance and should lead the charge for the Knights.
