Three NHL playoff games hit the ice Wednesday night, with two teams looking to grab a commanding 2-0 series lead while another pivotal matchup shifts venues.
The Washington Capitals hope to keep their momentum going after Alex Ovechkin’s heroics in Game 1. The 39-year-old superstar scored twice – including his first-ever playoff overtime winner – to help the Caps edge Montreal 3-2.
It wasn’t easy though. Washington let a two-goal lead slip away in the third period before Ovechkin saved the day.
Out west, the Los Angeles Kings barely held on for a wild 6-5 win over Edmonton in their opener. The Kings nearly blew a three-goal lead before Phillip Danault played hero, scoring his second goal of the night with just 42 seconds left.
The Colorado-Dallas series heads to Denver all tied up after a dramatic Game 2. The Stars’ Colin Blackwell went from healthy scratch to overtime hero, evening the series despite barely seeing the ice all game.
Looking for some betting tips? Here are the hottest goal scorers to watch:
Alex Ovechkin is absolutely on fire right now. He’s scored 22 goals in his last 31 games while chasing Gretzky’s record, including eight in his last nine. At +120 odds, he’s a pretty solid bet to light the lamp again.
The Canadiens’ Cole Caufield loves playing against Washington. The 24-year-old sniper has scored in all four games against the Caps this season and tends to get hot in bunches.
Leon Draisaitl is basically automatic against LA in the playoffs. Get this – he’s scored 18 goals in 19 playoff games versus the Kings over the last four years. That’s just ridiculous.
The Stars’ Roope Hintz might be due for a breakout. He’s only scored twice in his last nine playoff games but both came against Colorado. Sometimes that’s all it takes to get hot again.
These first-round matchups are starting to take shape. Will the home teams protect their ice? Can Dallas steal one in Colorado? Wednesday’s games should give us some answers.
