Free NHL Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game May 26, 2026
COL
@
VEG
Tue, May 26 • 9:00 PM ET
All three players were highly effective in Game 3, leading them all to score, Expect similar outcomes tonight.
Brett Howden o0.5 Goals Scored (+305)
Thanks to Brett Howden's elite 60% face-off percentage, the Knights rely on him defensively just as much as they do offensively, which puts him in situations like penalty kills and the final minutes of the game with an empty net just begging to be scored on. He doesn't shoot often, but his 37% shooting percentage in the playoffs proves that when he does, he's a threat to light the lamp every time.
CAR
@
MON
Wed, May 27 • 8:00 PM ET
Andrei Svechnikov o0.5 Goals Scored (+210)
Svechnikov scored in Game 3 and still has statistical correction coming in the goals department with his 5.6 shooting percentage during the playoffs lagging well behind his 11.1 career mark during the regular season. He continues to see go-to offensive minutes on the top line and No. 1 power-play unit, and Svechnikov has recorded an impressive 5.08 individual expected goals and 16 high-danger scoring chances through 11 games.
o5.5 (-115)
The Canadiens have 34 shots and 5.09 expected goals since the opening period of Game 1, and they need to start pushing more offensively to keep pace because the Hurricanes have 78 shots and 10.73 xGF to more than double them. A more aggressive Montreal attack leaves the Habs defensively vulnerable, which will also position Jakub Dobes to be all the more susceptible to the pending statistical correction to his unsustainable 3.63 goals saved above expected during the series. So, with Carolina starter Frederik Andersen allowing -2.65 GSAx with a confidence-shattering .804 save percentage, I’m anticipating the total soaring Over the number in Game 4.
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