While the goalies are usually the focal point of any championship series, I am looking for the offensive firepower on both of these teams to set the pace early in this series with a Game 1 matchup that goes OVER the 5.5-goal total line.

I like Tampa Bay's chances to even things up with a win at home this time around, but I really like the UNDER as my "best bet" pick in this matchup. Greiss is playing light's out for New York and I expect a much better effort from Bishop for Tampa Bay.

Both teams have shown some great resiliency in getting to this point of the playoffs and while I do have San Jose closing things out at home, my "best bet" pick in this one is the OVER on the total with the high scoring trend in the last few games continuing on Wednesday night.

The floodgates appear to be open with both team's offensive stars playing at a high level. While I think Pittsburgh finds a way to force a Game 7, I am much more confident that the total goes OVER 5.5 in this game.

I am going to go with St. Louis in this one. Backes should be in the lineup to help build off the momentum in Game 4 and Allen did provide a spark in goal. This is one of those series that should continue to go back and forth right to a Game 7.

St. Louis is due for a much better effort on Saturday given the firepower that is on this team, but the Sharks are just too hot to bet against on their home ice. What I will bet on in this matchup is the OVER on the total line with both teams matching their postseason scoring potential this time around.

That was a big win for Pittsburgh on Monday night, but I like the Lightning's chances to hold on to their early home-ice advantage in this series with a win on Wednesday night. Vasilevskiy looked pretty good in goal despite the loss, and I expect a much better effort from Tampa Bay's sharpshooters in front of the home-town crowd.

San Jose have proven to be extremely resilient in these playoffs and I am going with the favorable +120 money line for Tuesday night with a "best bet" pick that the Sharks find a way to even things up.

Both of these teams have proven that they can win under pressure and they have also demonstrated the ability score goals in bunches when they have to. I like St. Louis as a home favorite in the series opener, but I am betting on the total going OVER the current five-goal line.

Home ice has prevailed through the first six games of this series so there is no reason to changes things up in a deciding Game 7. However, in light of the upward scoring trend in this series I am going with the better value in the OVER on the total line as my "best bet" pick.

Tensions will be high on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh and both of these teams have a good chance of coming out tight. Add this with the stellar play of both sides' goaltenders in this series and it sets the stage for another "best bet" play on the UNDER 5.

Pittsburgh has all the momentum in the world, but it is tough to write-off Washington so quickly in this series especially on its home ice. The "best bet" pick I do like in this game is the UNDER 5 on the total line with both goalies in excellent form.

Dallas finds itself between a rock and a hard place in Game 4 against a Blues team that is in prime position to take complete control of this series. While I like St. Louis at home in this one, my "best bet" pick is the OVER 5 on the total line with both teams finding the back of the net this time around.

Other than the five goals they allowed in Game 1 of this series, the Predators have done a pretty good job on the defensive end of the ice. The fact that they continue to struggle to light the lamp opens the door for a "best bet" play on the UNDER in this this game.

I like Pittsburgh as a road underdog in this matchup, but my best bet" pick for Thursday night is the OVER on a favorable total line of 5. Both teams will be flexing their muscles in Game 1 in what promises to be a long and exciting series.

The road team has dominated this series so far, but I am not about to go against Chicago at home in an elimination game. The Blackhawks are one of the savviest teams in the league when it comes to winning in the postseason and I really like their chances to prove it on Saturday night.

I see another low-scoring game on the horizon for these two defensive-minded teams so you probably cannot go wrong with a play on the UNDER, but my "best bet" pick in this one is Anaheim. The Ducks regained their form in a crucial Game 3 win and I see that momentum carrying over to Thursday's contest.

Toronto +750

San Jose +700

Boston +900