The Canucks are being forced to use third-string goalie Arturs Silovs in his playoff debut because of injuries to the top two guys. We knew No. 1 Thatcher Demko was hurt, but No. 2 Casey DeSmith apparently was injured in his Game 3 victory. Nashville largely dominated in that loss as it was.

There were such oddities in Game 3 of this series on Friday night that we wonder if Opryland would have been a more fitting locale than Bridgestone Arena. Vancouver won a game when it took only 12 shots on goal for 60 minutes, and did so with its back-up goalie (Casey DeSmith) standing on his head in the 2-1 win. Nashville was left to rue several missed chances, but no reason for Preds fans to fret, as this series have been effectively zig-zagging, and Juuse Saros has been good enough in goal (2.03 in this series) to help Nashville get back to level before heading back to Vancouver. Play Preds on Puck Line

What is this version of Connor Hellebuyck? He has been just horrible in net for Winnipeg. Colorado has scored 17 goals in three games, and I don't see it slowing down. The Avs are now 32-10 at home this year and they should win this afternoon to secure a 3-1 series lead. If this is a bit too juiced for you, I'd recommend Casey Mittelstadt point at +114. That second line for the Avs has been buzzing, and Mittelstadt had three assists in Game 3.

Here we thought the Avalanche were going to be at a major goaltending disadvantage in the series, but it has been Winnipeg's Connor Hellebuyck, the likely Vezina winner, who has been lousy. His defense also will be down a key player in Brenden Dillon due to injury. He has three assists in the series and was plus-20 during the regular season.

This has not been a particularly high-scoring series but still would have cleared this 5.5 "total" in two of the first three games. Will see if Jim Montgomery continues his goalie rotation on the Boston side, though that would mean sitting Jeremy Swayman, who won Games 1 and 3 and has allowed only seven goals in his last 15 periods vs. Toronto. Linus Ullmark has comparable overall numbers, so Montgomery might well stick to his pattern, but there is too much firepower on the ice for these teams to play another 3-2 game. Auston Matthews and the Leafs have scored only six goals, and with some real urgency tonight look for Toronto to push this scoreline to six or more. Play Bruins-Leafs "Over"

Rest assured Isles coach Patrick Roy isn't going to be doing any experimenting in goal for Game 4, especially after his decision to give Ilya Sorokin a shot in Game 3 would boomerang, as he allowed three early goals to prompt his removal; Roy quickly went back to Semyon Varmalov, who started the first two games in Raleigh and fared well in relief for Game 3. It's do-or-die for NY here, but the Islanders have not been that outclassed in this series, having a look at both of the first two games on the road (more than a look at Game 2) as well as home for Game 3. Urgency on the Isles side to avoid elimination on Saturday. Play Islanders on Money Line

It's set and forget time in this Edmonton-Los Angeles series, I'm betting the over in every game unless it goes to a Game 7. You can find a flat 6 at a reasonable price, so feel free to do that if you'd like to cover a potential push, but after a 7-4 and 5-4 game, I don't see this pace slowing down. This marks the 16th playoff matchup over the past three years for these teams, and nine of the 15 so far have seen 7+ goals, including five straight going for nine or more. Give me the over, and load up some Adrian Kempe props while you're at it, the man seems to be contractually obligated to shoot the puck against Edmonton.

Simply put: Alexandar Georgiev answered the call in Game 2 in Winnipeg. While I still don't fully trust him, I do believe Georgiev played well enough to get the confidence boost he needed for the Avs to go on a run. I also expect a better performance from Connor Hellebuyck, but this Avs attack is lethal. Look for Colorado to continue its dominance at Ball Arena on Friday night.

Nothing has changed here. The Avs still have a goaltending problem, although they sure seem to have Connor Hellebuyck's number. Still, we are getting +1.5 at about the same price as Avalanche ML. So in OT while you ML bettors are sweating a cash, I'll be sweating in the hot tub and trying to go back to the 80s. Could really use some El DeBarge.

We saw a glimpse of what this series could become with Thatcher Demko out of the net, and it's not pretty for Vancouver. On just 15 shots, Casey DeSmith allowed three goals for a putrid save percentage of .800. Nashville won 4-1 thanks to an empty netter, and now returning home, they seem set to take control of this series. I was a believer in the value on the Preds before this series began, and I'm surprised we're getting such a reasonable price on their moneyline at home on Friday. Count me in.

Think the Canucks are toast in this series with No. 1 goaltender Thatcher Demko ruled out for Friday after also missing Game 2 with an injury -- and it sounds like he will not return this series after winning the opener. Casey DeSmith is a solid No. 2 but a massive downgrade as we saw in Game 2 when he allowed a goal on Nashville's first shot as the Preds won 4-1 in Vancouver. DeSmith also struggled some at the end of the regular season. Really tough break for the Pacific Division champs.