Friday’s Top AI Computer Picks
- Maple Leafs -1.5 (+140) at Bet365
- Oilers – Golden Knights Over 7.0 (+115) at Caesars Sportsbook
Two NHL playoff games are on our cards tonight, and we are targeting two plus-money picks for both matchups. Check out what we are betting tonight based on our computer predictions.
Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Friday, May 12, 2023 – 07:00 PM EDT at Scotiabank Arena
Toronto Maple Leafs Stay Alive
The Maple Leafs entered game four last time out knowing a loss would send them packing, but having trailed 3-0 against the Florida Panthers, they now must win every game for the rest of the series to stay in this year’s Stanley Cup race.
It was a tight low-scoring, scrappy affair, which the Maple Leafs won 2-1 on the road with goals from William Nylander and Mitch Marner.
There were just 8 penalty minutes in the opening two periods, but eventually the game turned out to be full of penalties, with a total of 36 minutes in the final period.
The Leafs stayed alive for another day but they are far from being out of the woods.
Florida Panthers
- The total has gone under in 4 of Florida’s last 6 games against an opponent in the Eastern Conference.
- Florida are 8-15 ATS (-11.8 Units) revenging a home loss versus opponents over the last 2 seasons.
- The Panthers are 49-44 ATS (-16.9 Units) in all games this season.
Toronto Maple Leafs
- The Toronto Maple Leafs are 26-13 ATS (+40.4 Units) when trailing in a playoff series since 1996.
- Toronto are 9-4 in their last 13 games when playing at home against Florida.
- The Maple Leafs are 1-4 in their last 5 games at home.
The Pick
Back on home ice and having had a +40 unit profit margin ATS since 1996 when trailing in a playoff series, we are confident the Leafs can get themselves back-to-back victories here. Our computer is predicting them to win by 2+ goals, which brings the -1.5 PK line into play.
At +140 on home ice for the Maple Leafs to cover the spread, we are looking to take this bet in the matchup, the Panthers are long overdue a 2+ goal road loss, while Toronto has to show up on home ice, having gone 0-3 in their previous three playoff games at the Scotiabank Arena.
OddsTrader Predicted Score: Florida Panthers 1 – Toronto Maple Leafs 3
NHL Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs -1.5 PK Line at +140 at Bet365
Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Friday, May 12, 2023 – 10:00 PM EDT at T-Mobile Arena
Series All Tied Up
The Edmonton Oilers took the victory in Game 4, which now sees this series tied 2-2 with tonight’s game returning to Sin City.
Not many of the Oilers’ top players got on the scoreboard in the 4-1 victory last time out, as 2 of the scorers scored their first post-season goals of the season and three of the scorers failed to have more than 12 goals during the regular season.
The game took a nasty turn towards the end as there were 93 penalty minutes given in the 3rd period. Alex Pietrangelo faces a suspension in Game 5 due to a dangerous slashing penalty on Leon Draisaitl.
Another reason we like the over tonight is that the Oiler’s two top scorers, Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, failed to find the back of the net. They rarely both go back-to-back games without scoring.
Edmonton Oilers
- The total has gone over in 8 of Edmonton’s last 9 games played on a Friday.
- The total has gone over in 6 of Edmonton’s last 7 games played on a Friday when on the road.
- The Edmonton Oilers are 15-3 ATS (+10.2 Units) in road games vs. division opponents this season.
Vegas Golden Knights
- The Vegas Golden Knights are 32-20 ATS (-1.7 Units) second half of the season this season.
- Vegas are 15-5 in their last 20 games at home.
- The total has gone under in 4 of Vegas’ last 6 games against an opponent in the Western Conference.
The Pick
With our computer predicting this game to end 3-3, we are guaranteed to see seven goals in this game as either team must win in overtime. At +115 NHL odds for over 7.0 goals, we are more than prepared to take a push landing on seven goals.
Let’s hope our computer’s high-scoring prediction comes to fruition, but we are hoping for at least eight goals to cash this plus money total to go over.
At the very least, if we get seven goals, the push isn’t the worst-case scenario given the odds available.
Three of the previous four games in Vegas between these two teams have seen the total go over 6.5 with the other game landing on six goals.
OddsTrader Predicted Score: Edmonton Oilers 3 – Vegas Golden Knights 3
NHL Pick: Over 7 Goals (+115) at Caesars Sportsbook
