To no surprise, the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are off to a phenomenal start. Every day, there is more on the line than the day prior. Tuesday night is no exception. There are 8 teams looking to either get a 2-0 series lead or avoid a 2-0 series deficit. With budding rivalries, home-ice advantage on the line and another game played in a best-of-7, this slate will be must-watch.
If you will be tuning in on Saturday and want to have some action, I have picked out my 3 NHL best bets for the playoff slate on Tuesday, April 21, with lines and odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook at the time of publishing. Also, be sure to check out our NHL predictions for all 4 games tonight and throughout the playoffs.
NHL best bet: Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning Over 5.5 (-130)
The 4-3 final in Game 1 was the third over in 5 head-to-head matchups in the 2025-26 season. In those games, the game totals have averaged 6.2 goals. That only reinforces longer term trends between these teams in which the over has hit in 9 out of the last 12 played dating back a couple of seasons. This year it was not horribly surprising considering the Lightning scored the fourth-most goals in the NHL this season and the Canadiens scored the seventh most.
Although special teams was a big factor in Game 1 and the Lightning will almost certainly clean up that part of their game, there was a bit of a concerning trend entering the playoffs that continued on Sunday. Tampa Bay has now allowed 4+ goals in 4 out of its last 7 games. Tampa Bay is loaded with offensive talent, so goal prevention deficiencies can be overcome if it is not cleaned up quickly. That dynamic also bodes well for an over. Last postseason, the Lightning had similar challenges as they allowed 3.80 goals per game and were bounced in the first round. The Canadiens have shown the ability to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes — and we know the Lightning can, as well. The matchup and early series trends give appeal to Over 5.5.
See our Canadiens vs Lightning Game 2 prediction
NHL best bet: Buffalo Sabres 3-way ML over Boston Bruins (-105)
After the way the Sabres stormed back from a 2-goal deficit late in Game 1 to not only tie but to also take a 2-goal lead, it is difficult to see them playing any other way in Game 2. Buffalo was just 8 minutes away from going down 1-0 in the series at home. While it was a great comeback, there is no appetite in that locker room to put themselves in a situation where they need to do that again. That is not to say that the Sabres played poorly for the first 52 minutes of the game. They outshot the Bruins 14-9 in the first period, 13-4 in the second and finally 11-7 in the third. Now that the seal has broken for the Sabres after an overall strong effort, look for a much more calm and deliberate team to handle their business on Tuesday.
With how competitive and crowded the Eastern Conference was, the Bruins have been playing playoff hockey since the better part of the season’s second half. They may be running out of a little bit of steam. Sunday’s loss — which, granted, was very close to being a win and avoiding this conversation — was their sixth loss in their last 8 games. It was also their fifth loss in their last six played on the road. For the Sabres, it was their fifth win in their last 6 games and their fourth win in their last 5 played at home. That contributes to a 27-10-5 home record on the year to Boston’s 16-17-9 road record. Recent form, splits and the momentum from Game 1 should give the Sabres a bump in Game 2 to win in slightly less stressful fashion.
Find out our expert’s 5-star Bruins vs Sabres Game 2 best bet
NHL best bet: Colorado Avalanche -1.5 over LA Kings (-108)
The Avalanche are another team that got away with a win that they would consider far too close for comfort. There is no doubt around the hockey world or even among the competitors who the better team in this series is. With all due respect to the Kings, it is not them. But Los Angeles played very well in Game 1. It just was not enough. Entering this postseason, the Avalanche have been eliminated in 2 out of the last 3 first rounds, and have only made it past the second round in 1 out of the last 8 straight playoff appearances.
Obviously, the run during that stretch in which they advanced ended up quite well. But, ultimately, another early exit would be an underachievement with such a loaded team for the better part of a decade. This is an experienced group that will not take its opponent for granted. The Avs want to avoid losing home-ice advantage by splitting the first 2 at home. Look for a very motivated Avalanche team to come out with plenty of urgency and win this game convincingly, just like they have in 4 straight now against the Kings this year.
Read our full Kings vs Avalanche Game 2 pick
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