NHL Playoffs expert picks, odds: Predictions for Islanders vs. Hurricanes, Kings

Tuesday’s Stanley Cup Playoff games feature Carolina looking to close out the Islanders at home in five games. The Kings, Oilers, Wild and Stars will all look to take a 3-2 lead in their respective series with both series tied at 2-2 before Game 5. Let’s look at the odds and expert picks for Tuesday’s playoff games.

There are only three games on Tuesday night because the Boston vs. Florida series has a two-day break between Game 4 and Game 5.

During the Stanley Cup playoffs, The Athletic’s writers will make their straight-up picks. You’ll find picks, coverage and the latest odds here. Our in-depth NHL coverage is linked below the picks.

All odds from BetMGM and update live. 

Game 5 – Islanders at Hurricanes

Carolina leads 3-1

7 p.m. on ESPN, SN

New York must bounce back from a tough 5-2 loss on Sunday at home if it wants to extend this series past Tuesday night. The Islanders took dumb penalties, the Hurricanes took advantage, and now can move onto the second round with a win.

Carolina came into this series as favorites, but after New York picked up a convincing win in Game 3, it appeared to be a series with so many Carolina players injured.

Carolina goalie Antti Raanta split his pants, making a save and those pants might be good luck now. The Islanders will need a disciplined performance on Tuesday night to send the series back to Long Island.

Game 5 – Wild at Stars

Series tied 2-2

8 p.m. on TBS, SN360

Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger played his best game of the series Sunday making several key saves including this one in the final minute of the game to save the win.

Dallas could really use some help from forward Jason Robertson. He’s scored one goal and added three assists so far, but he’s minus-1 in the series. Roope Hintz leads the Stars with four goals and four assists while Miro Heiskanen has added five assists.

The Wild line of Marcus Foligno, Frederick Gaudreau and Gustav Nyquist dominated with an 83 percent expected goal rate when they were on the ice together according to MoneyPuck.com. If that trio can keep its dominance going in Game 5, the Wild could steal one on the road.

Game 5 – Kings at Oilers

Series tied 2-2

9:30 p.m. on ESPN, SN, CBC

The Oilers trailed 3-0 in Game 4 at Los Angeles and were looking at trailing their first-round series 3-1. And then the script flipped. The Oilers erased that three-goal deficit and eventually won 5-4 in overtime on Zach Hyman’s goal. Three of four games so far this series have gone to overtime.

It’s time to talk about Leon Draisaitl. He’s been on the ice for every goal Edmonton has scored this postseason, and without him, who knows where the Oilers would be right now. He’s scored five goals and assisted on four others. Connor McDavid usually grabs all of the headlines for obvious reasons, but Draisaitl’s play in the playoffs throughout his career has been impressive. He’s averaged 1.66 points per game in the playoffs.

Los Angeles will…