Check out our NHL Game 3 best bets from our crew of hockey experts for the four-game slate on Sunday, April 23.
The 2022-23 NHL postseason skates on and kicks off early at 1 p.m. ET (10 p.m. PT) with a Hurricanes vs. Islanders matinee today.
Below, our hockey writers share their two favorite bets for today, which includes that early game, as well as the 9 p.m. ET nightcap with the Oilers vs. Kings.
Hurricanes vs. Islanders Player Prop
Greg Liodice: Bo Horvat has been a much-needed addition to this Islanders roster, but his production has been fairly low since his arrival. The injury to Mathew Barzal threw a wrench in the chemistry-building process, which was going swimmingly until the injury.
However, with the return of Barzal, Horvat has been rendered pointless in these playoffs. It’s not like he hasn’t gotten the chances, though. In three playoff games, he’s sixth on the team in expected goals, first in scoring chances with a 55.81 SCF%, and first in high-danger chances created.
So, what exactly is the issue here? After starting the season in Vancouver, Horvat was on a torrid goal-scoring pace. Once he got traded to the Islanders, he had three goals in his first four games, Barzal got hurt, and then his scoring touch faded. Since then, he just hasn’t recovered production-wise.
He doesn’t have a ton of playoff experience, but when he’s in them, he’s thrived with 11 goals in 26 games. With that in mind, I truly think Horvat will break out of this slump. FanDuel has him as a goal scorer at +220, which is sneaky good value. The production doesn’t scream scorer, but the charts favor him. Bo Horvat is due for a goal.
Pick: Bo Horvat any time goal scorer (+220) |
Oilers vs. Kings Player Prop
Ryan Dadoun: I recommend Zach Hyman in today’s Oilers-Kings game guide, and I like that bet so much that I want to push it here too. As I mentioned in the guide, Hyman seems due after taking 12 shots over the first three games of the first-round series and coming up empty. That’s in stark contrast to the regular season, during which he finished with a career-high 36 markers.
There are some details I didn’t get a chance to go over in the guide, though. First off, he did very well during the 2022 playoffs, providing 11 goals and 16 points over 16 outings, so he showed last year that he’s reached a point in his career where he can step up during key circumstances.
It also helps that he’s getting choice minutes alongside Connor McDavid and Evander Kane at even strength. Hyman’s also on the top power-play unit, logging 5:34 of ice time with the advantage during Friday’s 3-2 loss. He provided 15 of his 36 regular-season goals on the power play, so if he keeps getting those kinds of minutes, the dam should eventually break.
I’m betting on the idea that in Game 4, with the Oilers looking to even the series, Hyman’s persistence will finally be rewarded.
Pick: Zach Hyman any time goal scorer (+185) |
