Steve Starr
- BetOnline has point spreads, money lines and game totals for the two NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games on Friday, May 20, 2022
- Game 1 of the ‘Battle of Alberta’ was the highest-scoring playoff matchup ever between the Flames and Oilers with a total of 15 goals
- The Hurricanes scored three minutes into overtime to complete a 2-1 comeback win over the Rangers on Wednesday
Playing on home ice, Calgary and Carolina will attempt to take commanding 2-0 series leads in their Round 2 matchups against Edmonton and New York on Friday night.
Let’s check the odds and preview both of tonight’s National Hockey League games. Here’s also where you can find the top betting sites for NHL hockey in 2022 and smart wagering tips in our 2022 Stanley Cup betting guide.
NHL Playoff Games- Friday, May 20
 | Spread | Money Line | Total Points |
| New York Rangers | +1½ (-170) | +153 | Ov 5.5 (+100) |
| Carolina Hurricanes | -1½ (+150) | -170 | Un 5.5 (-110) |
| Edmonton Oilers | +1½ (-160) | +158 | Ov 6.5 (-115) |
| Calgary Flames | -1½ (+140) | -175 | Un 6.5 (+104) |
Hurricanes vs Rangers
After coming back from a 3-1 series deficit versus Pittsburgh in round one, New York was poised to steal Game 1 in Carolina on Wednesday. However, everything fell apart late in the third period as Sebastian Aho evened the score at 1-1 by batting his own rebound past Igor Shesterkin.
Blueliner Ian Cole then beat the Vezina frontrunner just three minutes into overtime to keep his Hurricanes undefeated at home through four postseason games in Raleigh.
SEBASTIAN AHO! 🔥
This one’s not over. 👀#StanleyCup | #LetsGoCanes pic.twitter.com/QI4qedDgzU
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 19, 2022
The Rangers showed major resiliency against the Penguins and should feel good about controlling large portions of Game 1 – but momentum is clearly with the Canes for Friday’s matchup. Rod Brind’Amour’s club will come out a step faster in Game 2, so Shesterkin will have to be on top of his game.
The Russian hasn’t permitted over three goals in the past four contests after allowing 10 in Games 3 and 4 versus Pittsburgh. But we still like Carolina to make the Blueshirts pay for blowing Game 1.
Final score prediction: Hurricanes 4, Rangers 2
Flames vs Oilers
Calgary survived a four-goal onslaught from the Oilers to claim the NHL’s first playoff Battle of Alberta in 31 years. All three Game 1 goaltenders were miserable in the 9-6 Flames win that will go down as the highest-scoring game between the two franchises in postseason history.
Can we expect the same high-flying action on Friday night? After all, Calgary’s seven-game series with Dallas was the lowest-scoring of the first round with an average of 4.1 goals, and Edmonton shutout the Kings twice in their 4-3 series victory.
Keith Tkachuk won't throw his hat for Matthew's hat trick 😂 pic.twitter.com/Zy8YfIsdCD
— Ryan Gilbert (@RGilbertSOP) May 19, 2022
It would take serious stones to bet the UNDER 6.5 (+104) following what we just witnessed, but this kind of thing tends to happen in the NHL and both coaches will be stressing defense on Friday night. While Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have to like how their squad bounced back in Game 1, what the Flames achieved in weathering their second-period collapse was even more impressive.
Calgary carried the play and was clearly the better team through most of the contest, dominating possession, shot attempts, shots, expected goals and every metric that matters, basically. We like Darryl Sutter’s club to win another one in the Saddledome and triumph in this provincial battle in five games or less.
Final score prediction: Flames 4, Oilers 3
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
