BetRivers has Tyrese Haliburton at 16.5 but most books are at 17.5. I like his over at both numbers for Game 3. The elite OKC defense has bothered Haliburton in the first two games, holding him to 31 points and forcing eight turnovers. An even bigger factor is Haliburton has yet to shoot a free throw in the series. I expect that to change at home. Haliburton is a money player and usually delivers when the Pacers need him. They need him on Tuesday night. Look for Haliburton to be lot more aggressive driving to the hoop in this game and put up 20+ points.

I thought we had a good look in Game 4 with Mikko Rantanen over 2.5 SOG but three of his shots missed, and we landed on two. Despite scoring just once, I thought Dallas' offense performed better in Game 4 with Roope Hintz back in the lineup. They moved the puck well and got good looks but Stuart Skinner has been a wall in the last three games, stopping 86 of 88 shots. I do think Skinner is playing a bit over his head and I expect the Stars to fight hard at home with their season on the line. I laid -1 at plus money with all four games in the series being decided by 3+ goals but like Dallas ML too.

Mikko Rantanen attempted only three shots in the last two games and he hasn't scored in six straight. That won't cut it for Dallas' $96 million man. The Stars have scored just once since their 5-goal outburst in the third period of Game 1. With the season essentially on the line Tuesday, I expect Rantanen to once again be a big factor in Dallas' offense. Rantanen has attempted at least three shots on goal nine times so far in the playoffs. With the Stars' offense sputtering and top center Roope Hintz likely out again in Game 4, look for Rantanen to be a lot more aggressive.

Those who follow my picks regularly know I'm a patient bettor. I wait for spots and strike. Sometimes that works out, sometimes I kick myself. The Panthers in Game 3 is an example of the latter. I was so close to playing Florida, I actually started a writeup, then pulled back. Here was the first line, "This looks like a sweep." Well, that hasn't changed with the Panthers up 3-0. This is just a bad matchup for Carolina. The Panthers swept them in the 2023 EC Final and are now 14-5 in the last 19 meetings. I'll lay -162 early before the number moves. I think the line closes around -180.

I almost pulled the trigger on Edmonton in Game 2 but decided to wait until they returned home. I think the Oilers are the best overall team in the NHL. Whether or not they win the Stanley Cup will ultimately come down to goaltending. That wasn't an issue in Game 2 when Stuart Skinner stopped all 25 shots. Dallas' center Roope Hintz might miss Sunday's game and he is a huge loss for their offense. I expect a spirited effort from the Stars but think Edmonton prevails at home to take a 2-1 series lead.

I took Winnipeg in Game 5 because I thought the Jets were in a great spot at home. They are not in a great spot on the road, where Winnipeg is 0-5 in the playoffs. Connor Hellebuyck was fantastic in Game 5, stopping all 22 shots. However, the road has been a different story for Hellebuyck in the playoffs were he is allowing just under 6.0 goals per game. I think the Stars are the better team in this series and I like Dallas to close it out at home on Saturday night.

The Jets’ playoff road woes continued when they dropped both games in Dallas. Winnipeg is now 0-5 away from home this postseason, getting out-scored 25-8. Luckily for the Jets, they return home for Game 6 where Winnipeg is 35-8-4 this season. Jets’ goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is happy to be back on home ice. Hellebuyck has been shelled on the road in the playoffs, but is 5-1 with a 1.99 goals against at Canada Life Centre. Winnipeg is getting killed on the power play in this series (1-of-16) but they have played well in 5-on-5. I expect a big effort from Hellebuyck and the Jets in a must-win game at home. I think Winnipeg forces a Game 6.

I really like Toronto in this spot. This feels like a seven-game series and I expect the Leafs to continue the trend of the home team winning all four games. Joseph Woll will be in goal again for Anthony Stolarz and while Woll lost Game 4, I think he is coming off the best performance of his career with 35 saves on 37 shots. It's Toronto's offense that needs to get going after getting blanked in Game 4. I expect that to happen. The Leafs scored a total of 13 goals in the first three games. I like Toronto in Game 5, then I'll probably come back with Florida in Game 6. Would anyone be disappointed if this series goes seven games?

I actually would have played Brandon Pfaadt at 5.5 for less juice but 4.5 -165 is the best odds available, so I'll lay it here. Pfaadt has gone over this total in five straight and six of eight overall. He has a good matchup tonight against a Giants team that has struck out 353 times - the 8th most in MLB. Pfaadt has pitched at least 6.0 innings in six of eight starts. If he gets through six here, I like our chances.

I'm a little surprised we are getting the Oilers at -120 in Game 3. Edmonton is the hottest team in the NHL Playoffs right now and this feels like it might be a sweep. The Oilers were a minute away from going down 3-1 to the Kings in Round 1. Since that dramatic comeback, Edmonton has won six straight. Vegas losing Game 2 in OT puts them in a tough spot. The Oilers have out-shot the Golden Knights 65-50 in the two games but Vegas is winning the power plays, three goals to zero. If Edmonton can clean that up, I think they go up 3-0 in front of a raucous home crowd Saturday night.

I'm taking the Jets in a must-win game at home where they are 34-8-4 this season. I expect this series to go seven games with the home teams having a lot of success. The first game was pretty even across the board, although the Jets did have seven more shots on goal and 22 more hits. I'll take Winnipeg to even up the series then look to back Dallas in Game 3 at home.

I came into the second round of the NHL Playoffs a little surprised both Toronto and Washington were home underdogs in Game 1. I'm going to jump on Washington +1 (-154) at BetRivers. Carolina is just 17-21-5 on the road this season. While I lean the Canes to win the series, they are a bit overvalued in Game 1. Washington and Carolina split their four regular-season games, with both teams winning their games on home ice. However, Washington goaltender Logan Thompson played just one period vs. the Canes due to injury. Thompson was excellent vs. Montreal with a 2.23 goals against and .923 save percentage. If you can't get Washington +1, consider taking the Caps on the ML for a half unit.

The Padres have won five straight games, while New York dropped two of three to Tampa Bay over the weekend. However, I'm backing the Yanks to end their two-game slide at home. Nick Pivetta has been sensational for SD this season with a 1.78 ERA, although I really like the way Carlos Rodon is pitching right now. Rodon has been light-out in his last three starts, giving up just three runs over 19 innings. The Yankees won those games by a combined score of 21-4.

Kris Bubic has gone over 4.5 strikeouts in five of six starts this season. He faced the Orioles back on April 6 and whiffed eight over 6.2 innings. Baltimore struggles vs. lefties, batting just .172 with 94 K's in 309 at-bats. Bubic is averaging just over a strikeout per inning. If that trend continues today, we should be in good shape to cash the bet.

Houston crushed the Warriors in Game 5, 131-116. The one bright spot in the blowout loss was Golden State head coach Steve Kerr took his starters out of the game down 29 with six minutes left in the third quarter. With the game out of hand, Kerr opted to rest his players and try to close out the series at home. I think this will be a tight game but I like Golden State to come out fresh and motivated after the Game 5 debacle. I'll back the Warriors to win the first quarter at home.