NHL Betting Picks for Thursday 5/9/24: Stars Looking for Redemption Against Avalanche

The second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs hasn't let us down, delivering hectic games night after night. Tonight promises to be the same with two games on the slate.

Whether it's moneylines or total goals, there are plenty of ways to bet on the NHL action all season. It's a long 82-game campaign, meaning that the best selections of each night can be very different based on backup goalies coming into play, injuries that add up, and if teams are due for positive or negative swings.

Let's dive into the best bets for tonight.

Note: Lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. All NHL betting odds and totals are from the NHL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. All advanced statistics are used from MoneyPuck.com and NaturalStatTrick.com.

NHL Best Bets

New York Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes

Hurricanes ML (-170)

Well, the first two games of the series were as tight as it gets between the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes. Unfortunately for Carolina, neither game went their way.

A devastating double overtime loss in Game 2 put the Hurricanes down 2-0 in the series, making tonight as must-win as it gets as they return home. And frankly, they're too good to go down 3-0, which is why I'm taking them to win this one tonight to turn the series.

Offensively, the Hurricanes have dominated through two games with a 76.53 Corsi for per 60 minutes (CF/60) compared to the Rangers' 57.80 CF/60. Their main problem, of course, has been the goalscoring. Carolina is averaging just 2.44 goals for per 60 minutes (GF/60). It's been tough for them to beat Igor Shesterkin, but they do have an expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) rate of 3.30. Time to turn things back up tonight because of it.

One of the big stories heading into this game is Carolina's decision to make a change from Frederik Andersen at goalie. They'll be rolling with Pyotr Kochetkov, who started for the majority of their regular season. As we've seen in the playoffs, a switch at goaltender can be what pushes a team and gives them a much-needed boost.

The desperation is real, and the Hurricanes are going to give it their all tonight to try and get back into this series.

Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars

Stars ML (-134)

If we want to talk about teams that need to bounce back, look no further than the Dallas Stars.

The Stars had a 3-0 lead in Game 1 before watching that lead disappear and losing in overtime to the Colorado Avalanche. That's as rough as it gets for a team, especially following their huge Game 7 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in the opening round.

Dallas is too good to experience such a loss and let it affect them for the remainder of this round. Slowing down the Avalanche is going to be their biggest test yet again -- but on home ice, they should be able to. It's why I'm taking the Stars to earn that win tonight and even the series.

Jake Oettinger will be the man to slow down the Avalanche and their average of 5.17 GF/60 so far through the playoffs. Out of the remaining teams in the playoffs, the Stars are fourth with 2.36 goals against per 60 minutes (GA/60) but first with 2.45 expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). It's that number that they need to lean on tonight with the way the Avs score.

In the end, this is about feeling and the need to save themselves. Losing that Game 1 in the fashion they did has made this as important of a Game 2 as we've seen in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Colorado is a difficult team, but again, home ice should matter. It is Dallas' night to earn a necessary win.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.