After seeing the Panthers lay a beatdown on the Hurricanes in Game 1, we absolutely love this plus-money price on them tonight. We had them handicapped as a small favorite for this Game 2 matchup So, amazing value here. NHL isn’t like the NBA and teams can climb out of a hole in series, so this game isn’t do or die for the Hurricanes quite yet. So they won’t be playing with desperation or anything. The Panthers are much more battle tested in this playoffs and it showed in Game 1. Carolina played two teams that didn’t pose much of a challenge in the Devils and Capitals. Washington looked nothing like the team we was in the regular season in these playoffs. Florida played an incredibly tough Lightning team and then a championship-caliber Leafs squad. Remember, they swept the away first portion of games in that series against the Lightning and we think they have a great chance to do it here. They are 6-2 on the road this postseason and they have won three straight playoff road games after their Game 1 win.

We will give the Wolves a mulligan for Game 1. We still think this team has a great chance in this series or at least to take it all the way to Game 7. Minnesota hasn’t lost much in these playoffs but in their two losses they bounced back to win and cover the next game. The Timberwolves have experience winning in OKC this season and they also have the players to make adjustments and have a much better showing than they did in Game 1. We see more of the first half Wolves here in Game 2 than the second half that let down and suffered a blowout.

5 Unit Play. Take #917 San Diego over Toronto (1:07p.m., Thursday, May 22 MLB.tv) The Blue Jays shut out the Padres in the first two games of this series, but I see the visitor salvaging the final game of this series. The Padres have the edge in pitching today with Stephen Kolek on the mound, he is 2-1 on the season with a 2.33 E.R.A. and a 3 to win strikeout to walk ratio. Bowden Francis has been hit hard of late giving up 18 earned runs and 8 home runs in his last 4 starts combined. The Padres have a strong lineup and getting them at this price is too good to pass up on Thursday.

4 Unit Play. Take #601 Indiana over Atlanta (7:30p.m., Thursday, May 22 Prime Video) We are not getting a ton of value with this line, but I really believe Indiana will bounce back and win this game in Atlanta on Thursday. The Fever rallied late against the Dream on Tuesday taking a lead after trailing for 39 minutes. I see them winning this game by double digits on Thursday and getting to 2-1 on the year.

These teams have now gone over in three straight meetings. Dallas has scored at least four goals in four straight meetings. They were amazing on offense in Game 1 and especially on the power play. We don’t see how Edmonton will slow them down. We also think the Oilers will make adjustments on offense and they will have a better offensive showing. They did score three goals in Game 1. They have had one bad offensive game in recent playoff matchups but otherwise they have scored at least three goals, and often many more, in nine of their last 10 games in this postseason. We think both teams get their share of the total tonight.

I would consider this almost a must win for the Knicks tonight. A two-game hole when you were the home team would be catastrophic. Indiana rallied in Game 1 for a shock win when the Knicks had a comfortable lead. New York got complacent and we just don’t think that happens again. It’s telling that the oddsmakers have made them an even bigger favorite in Game 2.