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 21st, 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 Boston Bruins Over 5.5 (-130)
The 4-3 final in game 1 was the 3rd 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 4th most goals per game in the NHL this season and the Canadiens scored the 7th most goals per game.
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 has now allowed 4+ goals in 4 out of their last 7 games. Tampa 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, as we know the Lightning can as well. The matchup and early series trends give appeal to an over 5.5 goals.
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 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 0-1 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 the Sabres played bad for the first 52 minutes of the game. They outshot the Bruins 14-9 in the 1st period, then 13-4 in the 2nd period, and finally 11-7 in the 3rd period. 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 all of this conversation, was their 6th loss in their last 8 games. It was also their 5th loss in their last 6 played on the road. For the Sabres, it was their 5th win in their last 6 games, and their 4th 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 two 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 their opponent for granted. They want to avoid losing home-ice advantage by splitting the first 2 at home to even risk the chance of winning this series. Look for a very motivated Avalanche team Tuesday 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 prediction
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