Best NHL Bets Today | NHL Picks, April 22

The 2024 NHL playoffs are here which means that all of the bets going on will be among some of the best bets to be made of the season. Most if not all game lines are going to be close and there would be great areas and other places to be bet on. This will be a month-long process for teams as one out of 16 teams well hoist the President's Cup at the end of the season. There are still plenty of time to place a bet through DraftKings as the first round has only just started.

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Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins - Game Two

• Time: 7:00 PM E.T. - Monday

• Moneyline: Maple Leafs (+110) | Bruins (-130)

• Puck Line: Maple Leafs +1.5 (-238) | Bruins -1.5 (+195) 

• Total: Over 5.5 (-115) | Under 5.5 (-155)

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My Pick: Boston Bruins (BOS) at DraftKings

The Eastern Conference Playoffs started with a statement from the Boston Bruins as they dominated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1 on Saturday night. The Bruins took a 1-0 lead early in the first period but then scored three in the second period.

There were many elements from the Bruins that gave them the dominating win. The biggest was for the defense to hold down the Maple Leafs’ dynamic duo in center Auston Matthews and forward William Nylander to no goals or assists. Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman accounted for 35 saves while only allowing one goal scored.

Boston will attempt to replicate that same performance as they host Toronto again on Monday night. It is going to be difficult for Boston to withhold the two stars of Toronto to minimal performance again, but they have the defense to do it. Toronto finished the regular season ranked second in the league by averaging 3.63 goals per game.

Boston has been among the most consistent defensive new units throughout the entire season. The Bruins finished the regular season what's the 5th rank score in defense as they allow an average of 2.7 goals per game. Boston possesses a great selection of dominant defenders and great goalies.

 The offensive of the Bruins isn't exactly elite, but there are averaging 3.21 goals per game. The biggest difference in this series that could be a serious problem for the Maple Leafs is their defensive presence. Toronto is ranked 20^th in the league in goals allowed per game (3.18).

The Bruins are coming into this game with serious momentum and a defensive presence. Boston could see a series sweep if they take this game as well.

Bet on Boston Bruins at DraftKings

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Dallas Stars - Game One

• Time: 9:30 PM E.T. - Monday

• Moneyline: Golden Knights (+114) | Stars (-135)

• Puck Line: Golden Knights +1.5 (-230) | Stars -1.5 (+190) 

• Total: Over 5.5 (-115) | Under 5.5 (-155)

My Pick: Dallas Stars (DAL) at DraftKings

One of the projected closest series heading into the Western Conference Playoffs will be the series between the defending champs in the Vegas Golden Knights vs. the Dallas Stars. The Stars are coming into game one as the close favorites as they possess the home field advantage and the momentum.

There is great optimism with the Golden Knights going into this series. This is a chance for them to rebound after a shaky regular season and start their run as the defending champions. The Golden Knights do have some edge in head-to-head matchups versus the Stars as they defeated Dallas in all three games this season.

The Stars’ offense has played terribly when matched up against the Golden Knights. Dallas has only scored four goals in all three games played against Vegas. Those games were much earlier in the season with the latest being in December.

The Stars and the Golden Knights are completely different teams than any early in the season. Dallas has won 12 of the last 14 games in the regular season with their defense playing great. They have allowed an average of 1.78 goals per game during this run.

The Stars are entering the postseason with the fourth ranked scoring offense in the league as they are averaging 3.59 goals per game. That has been an area that has transcended this season for the Stars. The Golden Knights rank 10^th in the league in goals per game (3.25).

The Stars weren’t great defensively in the beginning of the season, but they still finished strong in the end of the season. Dallas ranks eighth in the league in goals allowed per game (2.83) while Vegas ranks 12^th in goals allowed per game (3.0).

Look for the Stars to make a statement to the start the playoffs against a team they played poorly against in the regular season.

Bet on Dallas Stars at DraftKings