NHL Playoff Picks and Predictions for Thursday August 6

Stanley Cup Playoffs NHL Best Bets

Games set for Thursday, August 6, 2020
To be played in Toronto and Edmonton

NHL Favorite Best Bet

Matchup: Calgary vs. Winnipeg
TV-Time: NBSCN, 10:30 p.m. ET

Calgary -175

I mentioned before the restart when this Flames/Jets series was announced that Calgary was far better then a typical #8 seed team and they weren't getting priced like it. Now three games later we have the Flames as a 60 cent favorite in a potential close out game. Seems like the market has finally caught up somewhat.

Now, Winnipeg losing Scheifele and Laine was a huge blow that the Jets may not be able to overcome, and when you get the better team on paper gaining a decided edge in the rosters on the ice, the Flames are not going to want to risk a Game 5 and look to put the Jets away here.

The Jets were already a team I expected to fall in this series, and now being short handed and up against it, laying the 75 cents with Calgary is a bet I've got no problem making.

NHL Underdog Best Bet

Matchup: Calgary vs. Winnipeg
TV-Time: NBCSN, 10:30 p.m. ET

Calgary -1.5 goals +160

Not an underdog play in the truest sense, but if Calgary does indeed end things tonight, and do so in just 60 minutes, then laying the -1.5 goals at plus money makes a lot of sense. Doubling up on a team can go sour should they lose, but all things considered and outlined before about the Flames being the better team and the Jets being too banged up to be near their best has me quite confident this will be it for this series.

And if the Flames aren't up by multiple goals already in the final minutes (and maybe even if they are), the Jets pulling the goalie and Calgary burying an easy one late might end up being the saving grace, although I'm not sure it will even come to that.

NHL Over-Under Total Best Bet

Matchup: Washington vs. Philadelphia
TV-Time: NBCSN, 4:00 p.m. ET

Washington/Philadelphia Over 6

After both of these teams essentially got their feet wet in some tight checking, low-scoring openers, these two familiar foes hopefully revert back to old happens and decide to play a track meet with one another. There most recent two meetings in early February and early March were 7-2 and 5-2 wins for the Flyers, and for future endeavors, I think both sides would like to see their offenses produce in a similar fashion, money line result be damned.

NHL Prop Best Bet

Matchup: Toronto vs. Columbus
TV-Time: NBCSN, 8:00 p.m. ET

Both teams to score at least 2 goals in regular time -129

After trading shutout wins with one another, this pivotal swing Game 3 should see the Blue Jackets and Leafs open things up more in being aggressive to try and gain the upper hand. Doubt we see a shutout on either side again, and if this game does open up, it may be the only 'over' total bettors see in this series.

Both teams should carry their weight in that regard to at least make it a sweat (say a 3-2 game), but there is just too much on the line not for them to be aggressive from the outset to play with that lead. So far both sides have shown they are quite good at locking things down when they do get a lead, so as that opponent you know you can't let yourself be in that position for long.

A 2-2 game going into the third and let some puck luck decide it from there is fine with me.