Steve Starr
- BetOnline has point spreads, money lines and game totals for the two NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games on Thursday, May 26, 2022
- Edmonton can advance to the Western Conference Final with a fourth-straight victory over the Flames
- The Hurricanes and Rangers series is tied at 2-2 after New York won both its games in Madison Square Garden
With no answers to the Oilers’ high-flying attack, Calgary finds itself on the brink of elimination after allowing 14 goals in three straight losses to their provincial rivals. Meanwhile, after holding serve at home, the Rangers hope to hand Carolina its first defeat in Raleigh this postseason.
Let’s check the odds and preview both of tonight’s pivotal Game 5s. 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- Thursday, May 26
 | Spread | Money Line | Total Points |
| New York Rangers | +1½ (-210) | +137 | Ov 5.5 (+125) |
| Carolina Hurricanes | -1½ (+180) | -152 | Un 5.5 (-138) |
| Edmonton Oilers | +1½ (-192) | +130 | Ov 6.5 (-119) |
| Calgary Flames | -1½ (+167) | -144 | Un 6.5 (+108) |
Hurricanes vs Rangers
Carolina is a -152 favorite on Thursday night despite coming off consecutive losses in Madison Square Garden. Why? Well, the Hurricanes are the only remaining postseason team with a perfect record (6-0) on home ice.
With last change, expect Rod Brind’Amour to deploy defensive center Jordan Staal against the Rangers’ top line of Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider and Frank Vatrano after the trio combined for four goals over the past two games in New York. The Canes must also find a way to jumpstart a pathetic power play that’s only 5-for-45 in the playoffs.
Igor Shesterkin has allowed one goal in each of his last three games. There have been 10 instances in Rangers history, among eight goalies, of a netminder allowing one or fewer goals in three or more consecutive playoff games. pic.twitter.com/JM1hLyiqAp
— NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) May 25, 2022
If they stay cold on special teams, the Hurricanes could have a hard time beating Igor Shesterkin, who is back in Vezina form with a dazzling .959 save percentage in the series. The Russian netminder could be poised to steal one on the road, setting up an epic goaltending duel with the Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy in the Eastern Conference Final.
This is a sneaky-must win game for a Canes team that is 0-5 on the road away from PNC Arena. While Carolina is averaging 3.7 goals per game at home in this postseason, their luck might be about to run out.
Final score prediction: Rangers 3, Hurricanes 2 OT
Flames vs Oilers
After failing to build around their Hart Trophy winners for years, Edmonton has suddenly found a lot of help for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisiatl. The duo’s linemate Evander Kane leads the NHL with 12 playoff goals, free-agent acquisition Zach Hyman has seven, and Ryan Nugent Hopkins scored two in Game 4 to give the Oilers a 5-3 victory and commanding 3-1 series lead in the Battle of Alberta.
McDavid and Draisaitl also continue to be at their best. The former has a league-leading 25 postseason points with 10 multi-point games in 11 starts, while the latter became the first player in NHL history to record four consecutive three-plus-point games in the playoffs.
Connor McDavid does it again pic.twitter.com/LGpVaKvgqN
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) May 21, 2022
In steep contrast, Calgary’s stars have gone silent. Matthew Tkachuk has managed just one point since his three-assist outing in Game 1 and Johnny Gaudreau hasn’t scored a single goal in the series, going pointless in two games in Edmonton. The Flames have also endured a severe goaltending disadvantage with Mike Smith (.913 save percentage and 3.30 goals against average) badly outplaying Jacob Markstrom (.850 SV%, 5.28 GAA) through four contests.
Teams are just 31-296 all-time when trailing a series 3-1 and the Flames franchise is 0-9 when facing that very predicament. While those stats suggest the Battle of Alberta has already been lost, we like Calgary to bounceback in the Saddlehome on Thursday night.
Final score prediction: Flames 5, Oilers 3
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
