Top NHL Picks, Ranked

Dallas Stars @ Colorado Avalanche

The under sits at the top of the board because the two teams together figure to land close to 6.0 goals, which already puts the number in its favor before you factor in anything else. The one thing stopping this from being a 5-star is that both defenses are genuinely good at limiting goals, so the case for the under rests more on suppression than on a clean mismatch against weak offenses.

Montreal Canadiens @ Washington Capitals

Montreal earns the second spot because Dobes in net gives the Canadiens a real, clear advantage over a Lindgren who has been struggling, and goaltending edges at this level are about as direct a reason to take a side as you get. Washington's penalty kill being the better unit is the one real piece that keeps this from sitting at the top.