Kris Knoblauch is apparently going back to Stuart Skinner in net for the Oilers in tonight's Game 6, a bit risky considering how poorly Skinner was seeing the puck earlier in this series. But the overarching theme of the second round is much like the first round league-wide as scorelines have reduced toward the end of the round, and Edmonton at least kept a tighter defensive shell in front of Cal Pickard the past two games by curbing some of its aggressiveness. We'll see tonight, but it seems here as if Rick Tocchet is dictating the tempo of this series, and Vancouver's ability to shadow Connor McDavid (only 5 points), mostly with JT Miller, has defined this matchup. Play Canucks-Oilers "Under"

In my opinion this is the safest bet for this game. The Avs seem to have moved on from the Val Nichushkin drama, and the Stars look like the most complete team in the NHL. It's hard for me to see this game staying under 6 goals.

The Avs found a spark in Game 5, and seem to be moved on from the Val Nicushkin drama. Colorado's home ice advantage is legitimate, and I expect another big performance from Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon. I like the Avs to force a Game 7.

This has turned into a very taut series featuring solid defense and good goaltending. We actually started to see that in Game 3 until a fluky double-minor in the second period against the Bruins gave the Panthers an effective extended power play in which they scored twice to change the complexion of the game. The following Games 4 and 5 followed more predictable low-scoring paths, and worth noting that Boston hasn't solved Sergei Bobrovsky for more than two goals since Game 1. This Bobrovsky vs. Jeremy Swayman matchup in goal sets up as another 2-1 or 3-2 grinder. Play Panthers-Bruins "Under"

It would certainly help the Boston cause if Brad Marchand (a game-time decision) is available for tonight. But the Bruins have circled the wagons pretty well minus their captain the past couple of games, unfortunate to let a 2-0 lead slip away at home in Game 4 and then passing the gut-check of Game 5 to stay alive on Tuesday night in Sunrise. Jeremy Swayman still proving tough to solve in goal, and the Bruins have been about some drama in the postseason, already going seven games in the opening round vs. the Leafs before advancing in a nervy OT. Will we have another Game 7 to look forward to on Sunday? Play Bruins on Money Line

The Oilers looked excellent in Game 4 but that was at home, a bit of desperation and with Calvin Pickard making his first start of the series in net and first-ever in the playoffs. He played really well and had spectacular numbers all year while in Edmonton. But he's a 32-year-old journeyman for a reason, and his road numbers in the regular season were quite a bit worse. And I guarantee you the Canucks put more than 21 shots on him tonight (and now they have a bit of a book on him). In addition, blueliner Carson Soucy is back from a one-game suspension. Truly don't care who wins overall, simply would like to see seven games in this really fun series.

We saw similar things from the Canucks in the opening round vs. Nashville, when they played at a bit slower pace to build a better defensive fence around backup goalie Arturs Silovs. Fast forward to the second round, and noted much the same from Edmonton in Tuesday's Game 4, as the Oilers were not their usual swashbuckling selves, playing a more cautious game as they tried to help their own backup goalie, Cal Pickard, who delivered a much-needed win. The pace thus seems to have slowed in this series that now features an unlikely pair of goalies who were facing off last spring in the AHL playoffs. Play Oilers-Canucks "Under"

Must acknowledge how the Oilers seemed to circle the wagons around backup goalie Cal Pickard in Game 4 after Stuart Skinner's flameout earlier in this series. Still, even as Edmonton has leveled matters, must note the Canucks have won six of the last eight meetings, and managed to claw their way back even at 2 on Tuesday before Evan Bounchard's very late game winner for the Oilers. Vancouver's own backup goalie, Arturs Silovs, seems to be gaining more confidence as the playoffs have progressed, and still believe Rick Tocchet is squeezing more from his troops than Edmonton counterpart Kris Knoblauch. Play Canucks on Money Line

Don't hit the panic button yet Rangers fans as all is not lost even though Carolina has stormed back (pun intended) to win the last 2 games -- that's reflected in the market. The Canes closed -141 in Game 4 and are now out to -166; I'm surprised to see how inflated the price has become in this spot. We know the Rangers' underlying metrics never look good, but that's by design for a team not built on puck possession. This is all about price for me and in a game I make -131, I'm more than willing to back the modest edge on the dog in desperation mode with the better goaltender even if the Blueshirts need to be better at 5-on-5.

All I want is overtime. The Avalanche will be obviously desperate down 3-1. I'm assuming one of their key guys will not be suspended for six months as the puck is about to drop tonight as happened in Game 4 to Valeri Nichushkin. Hadn't heard of that before. But blueliner Devon Toews is back after missing that injured. Never would have played Colorado ML in Game 4 had I known those two were out. The big reason I'm gonna try this, though, is Dallas will be without Roope Hintz (30G, 35A in RS). Hintz has two goals and six points in nine playoff contests. I deserve this after the Rangers' third-period fiasco the other night.

True, we didn't see Boston lay down in Game 5 last night at Florida, digging in deep to keep the series alive. Assuming the same for the Avs tonight in Big D, however, might be a bit of a stretch, after that absolute collapse over both Games 3 and 4 at home for Colorado that has put it on the brink of elimination. The Nichushkin suspension compounded matters prior to Monday's 5-1 loss and underlines the plight of the Avs, who have also leaked too much on defense in this series, exposed by the Stars' clinical execution. The margin also risks expanding late if Colorado is trailing and Jared Bednar pulls Alexander Georgiev much sooner than he normally might. Play Stars on Puck Line

Close-out games in the Stanley Cup playoffs sometimes look like what happened to Tampa Bay in Game 5 at Florida, when the Lightning got desperate in the final minutes trying to make up a multi-goal deficit, and the scoreline kept expanding. Colorado looks a candidate for the same tonight as we hardly see the Avs becoming involved in any defensive stalemate after numerous breakdowns in the playoffs in front of Alexander Georgiev. Though muffled in Games 3 and 4 at home and minus key cog Valeri Nuchushkin, Colorado however still retains Nathan MacKinnon and loads of firepower, and with the Stars executing as well as they have in this series, there are lots of ways this game can clear 6.5 goals. Play Avs-Stars "Over"