Free NHL Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game April 22, 2026
PIT
@
PHI
Wed, Apr 22 • 7:00 PM ET
Dan Vladar o22.5 Total Saves (-105)
There was a serious pushback from Pittsburgh during Game 2, with the Pens posting a 70.6 Corsi For percentage and 73.5 expected goals percentage at five-on-five in a losing effort. Vladar was up to the task with a 27-save shutout that included 2.81 goals saved above expected, and I'm expecting him to continue standing tall Wednesday after posting a solid .910 save percentage across his 21 regular-season starts.
Rickard Rakell o0.5 Points (-110)
The Penguins have quietly tilted the ice during Rickard Rakell’s 5-on-5 minutes. They have controlled 66% of the expected goals, 71% of the scoring chances, and generated 33 shot attempts through two games – most of any Penguins forward. He is also a focal point on the man advantage, where only Evgeni Malkin has had more ice time than Rakell. He’s being used in prime offensive situations and the Penguins are generating chances. Dan Vladar is unlikely to sustain a .954 save percentage, and Rakell is a prime candidate to help break through.
DAL
@
MIN
Wed, Apr 22 • 9:30 PM ET
Jesper Wallstedt o23.5 Total Saves (-110)
Wallstedt has been excellent to start the postseason with a .932 save percentage and 1.53 goals saved above expected, and he’s turned away 27 and 28 shots the past two games to soar Over his Game 3 total. The Dallas have also been the better possession team at five-on-five with a 56.0 Corsi For percentage through two games, so I’m anticipating Wallstedt to turn away 24 or more shots again Wednesday.
Matt Boldy o0.5 Goals Scored (+155)
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ANA
@
EDM
Wed, Apr 22 • 10:00 PM ET
Leon Draisaitl o0.5 Goals Scored (+130)
Leon Draisaitl was the set-up man on two goals in Game 1, but I expect some finish from the big German tonight. Not only does Draisaitl lead all NHLers with 41 playoff goals since 2021-22, but he has 16 goals in his last 17 games against the Ducks.
Connor McDavid o1.5 Points (-155)
BUF
@
BOS
Thu, Apr 23 • 7:00 PM ET
Josh Doan o0.5 Points (+140)
The Sabres have generated 2.76 expected goals with Doan on the ice yet scored only once. He’s getting looks at 5-on-5 and he is skating on the top power play alongside top weapons like Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin. With that kind of usage, it’s only a matter of time before results follow his chance-generation.
Josh Doan o0.5 Goals Scored (+305)
CAR
@
OTT
Thu, Apr 23 • 7:30 PM ET
Tim Stutzle o0.5 Goals Scored (+195)
There’s a disconnect between the underlying numbers for Sens star Tim Stutzle and how dangerous he’s actually been on the ice. While he’s generated just 0.86 individual expected goals on six shots and four individual high-danger scoring chances during the series, he’s done everything but find the back of the net with multiple missed Grade A chances in both games. Stutzle finally capitalizes with a goal in Game 3.
Linus Ullmark o25.5 Total Saves (-130)
This saves total is too low. Ullmark has been phenomenal through the first two games of the series, and he’s now up to a .917 save percentage with 12.34 goals saved above expected across his past 11 starts. The Hurricanes have peppered him with 29.24 shots per 60 minutes through the first two games, and considering they finished the regular season ranked second in shots per game (31.5) and first in Corsi For percentage at five-on-five on the highway, I’m confident Ullmark will see the necessary rubber to clear this number in Game 3.
COL
@
LA
Thu, Apr 23 • 10:00 PM ET
Martin Necas o0.5 Goals Scored (+195)
Necas paces the Avs in individual expected goals during the series (1.22), and he’s also failed to find the back of the net in five consecutive games dating back to the regular season despite recording 17 shots and eight high-danger scoring chances. After scoring 38 times during the regular season, Necas breaks through and scores in Game 3.
COL (-155)
The Kings have yet to score a five-on-five goal while losing the possession battle with a 43.8 Corsi For percentage and generating just 40.7% of the expected goals during the series. Additionally, it’s a matter of when not if the Avs fill the net against Los Angeles goalie Anton Forsberg. His .939 save percentage with 3.45 goals saved above expect through two games are screaming for statistical correction.
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