A bit surprised that the slight betting favorite in Game One is Carolina, which finished behind (close, but behind) the Rangers in the standings this season and lost two of the three meetings. The Canes were pushed a bit by the Islanders in the first round, too, and this will be a tougher assignment vs the Predidents' Trophy winners. Igor Shesterkin posted a 1.75 GAA in goal in the first round sweep of the Caps, and Peter Laviolette had ten different goal-scorers in the four straight wins over Washington, led by Vincent Trochek's three. Play Rangers on Money Line

Denny McLain, Willie Hernandez, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer...and Tarik Skubal? The first four are the past Tigers Cy Young Award winners, but we're thinking Skubal might be able to join that group if he keeps pitching as he has, featuring a 4-0 record, 1.72 ERA, and 0.74 WHIP. As Detroit has won in five of Skubal's six starts, AJ Hinch has the right man on the mound to salvage the finale of this three-game set in the Bronx. Though relievers will factor at some point, we suspect a good chance that Skubal at least outpitches Yankee counterpart Nestor Cortes, who has been roughed up in his last two starts (7 runs and 13 hits in 13 IP). Play Tigers on Money Line

The Magic have arrived in a hurry and look ready to fast-forward the maturation if they can get into the second round. This has been a home-oriented series to be sure, but Orlando has to carry a bit more confidence into this Game Seven at the Rocket after nearly stealing Game 5 in Cleveland after losing heavily in the first two games on the road in this series. Paolo Banchero is scoring at a 33 ppg clip across the past two games for the Magic, but seems to be able to rely on other scoring sources like Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs. Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell scored more than half (50) of Cleveland's points in the Friday loss at Orlando. Play Magic

Though the scoreline fell one point short of another "over" on Friday, this series has become higher-scoring since the first two games at the Rocket in which the Magic didn't crack 86 points. Since then, however, Orlando is scoring at a 110 ppg clip, and it's worth noting that every game in this series since Game 2 has handily cleared this overnight 194 for Game Seven in Cleveland. Granted, the Cavs have only cracked 100 points in Game Five, but Donovan Mitchell can always explode (like he did with 50 on Friday), and Orlando's offense, led by Paolo Banchero (33 ppg last two), has gained confidence as this series has progressed. Play Magic-Cavs "Over"

This has turned into a goalie series, especially since Joseph Woll stepped in for Ilya Samsonov on the Toronto side for Game Five. Since then, he's posted an 0.86 GAA and .964 saves, and that includes a Boston goal with one-tenth of a second to play in Thursday's Game 6. We'll assume Jim Montgomery sticky with Jeremy Swayman (1.60 GAA and .947 saves in this series) on the Boston side, though he's discarded the usual rotation with Linus Ullmark in this series. Nervous time for the Bruins, at risk of blowing another 3-1 playoff lead, and more likely to see another low-scoring grinder in Game Seven. Play Maple Leafs-Bruins "Under"

Some angles to consider here, including Denver winning all five of its playoff round openers since last season, most recently vs the Lakers (114-103 in the first round). The T-wolves, however, have played the champs tough this season, splitting the four previous games, are off a resounding sweep of Phoenix in the opening round, and have a score to settle from last season's opening round when losing in five. Both teams routinely scoring enough (T-wolves 118 ppg in the Suns sweep; Nuggets 116 pg last ten) to get this above 207.5. Play Timberwolves-Nuggets "Over"

As noted on Friday, the Orioles at short prices are going to get our attention this season. Even a rain delay couldn't slow the Birds last night as Cole Irvin stretched his scoreless innings streak to 20 2/3 and Baltimore moved to an AL-best 9-4 on the road by beating the Reds in a rematch of the 1970 World Series. John Means, who has plenty of experience in the O's rotation, has been recalled and will start in place of the injured Grayson Rodriguez, while the Reds' Andrew Abbott is off of a rough start in Texas, giving up a pair of homers in last Sunday's loss at Arlington. Play Orioles on Money Line

"Your NL Cy Young Award winner for 2024...Ranger Suarez of the Philadelphia Phillies!" That's a hypothetical, of course, but if the voting were to be conducted today, Suarez would have as good a chance as any, already 5-0 with a 1.32 ERA and 0.63 WHIP. He's also working deep into games, with a recent complete-game shutout of the Rockies, and across his last two starts vs. the Reds and Padres, he's allowed one run and five hits thru 15 IP, with 13 Ks and 1 walk. Moreover, the Phils are now an MLB-best 22-11 after last night's 4-3 win. The Giants have also won in the last three starts made by Keaton Winn, but Bob Melvin's offense remains inconsistent. Play Phillies on Run Line

The games in this low-scoring series have all looked mostly alike: tight-checking, positional defense, and solid goaltending both ways. For Vegas, Adin Hill came in for Game 5 after Logan Thompson had fared admirably earlier in the series, and Bruce Cassidy probably can't go wrong with either, but Jake Oettinger has been just a tad better in the nets on the Dallas side. Note that Pete DeBoer's defense has done a good job slowing the VGK attack in the neutral zone, and Vegas has had few quality shot attempts in this series. If the Stars can wrap this up, a 3-2 type of scoreline would not surprise. Play Stars-VGK "Under"

This has an ominous feel for LA, as the abject surrender in Game 5 suggests at deeper problems within the Clippers roster and perhaps with HC Ty Lue. Kawhi Leonard's absences (out again tonight) haven't not helped, but a quick perusal of the previous games provides the direction we seek. For only in the first half of Game One and maybe the first quarter-and-a-half of Game 4 have the Clips got the best of the action; Dallas has mostly dominated the rest of the proceedings. There is a score to settle for the Mavs from the 2021 playoffs, and Luka Doncic's familiar 35 points in Game 5 present quite a contrast with LA's PG & James Harden. Play Mavs

Not often do cite TNT's Paul Bissonnette, but Biz hit the nail on the head a couple of nights ago when noting the Canucks seems to be playing with less reckless abandon as they did in the regular season, perhaps more concerned with building a moat around goalies Casey DeSmith and Arturs Silovs with Thatcher Demko out. Nashville has been outskating the Canucks for most of this series and pulled out a clutch comeback 2-1 win on the road in game 5 to stay alive. Juuse Saros performing well enough in goal, and if not for a few moments of madness late in Game 4, the Preds could be the ones looking to sew up the series tonight. Play Preds on Money Line

The young Magic might have lost the battle in Game 5 at Cleveland but they well could have won the war, finally staying competitive in a road playoff game, the next step in the maturation process of an emerging contender. Orlando has already proven it can bop the Cavs at Kia Center, where the Magic romped in Games 2 and 3, and is now 31-12 as a host. Paolo Banchero certainly seems ready for the moment after scoring 39 on the road in Game 5, and Cleveland will again be minus C Jarrett Allen and his defensive presence in the middle. Note the Cavs have only broken 100 points once in this series, that in the 104-103 win on Tuesday night. Play Magic

The Giants aren't going to get the same boost (at least we don't think) as they did on Thursday at Fenway Park, when Mike Yaz saw grandpa Yaz at the ballpark and promptly hit a homer in the 3-1 SF win. The Phils are another challenge entirely for SF at Citizens Bank Park, especially against Aaron Nola, who spun a 2.06 ERA in April when Philly won all five of his starts. As for Jordan Hicks, he's pitched in some bad luck on the Giants' side, allowing just 4 ER across 16 IP in his last three starts, but SF losing in each of those, and only 6-10 on the road this season. Play Phils on Run Line

The Orioles at a slight plus-price will always get our attention this season, and no different tonight at Cincy in this rematch of the 1970 World Series. No Brooks Robinson needed this time as a vacuum at third base, especially with Cole Irvin pitching superbly in recent starts, and not allowing a run across 13 2/3 IP in his last two starts against he Royals and A's. Just off of winning a midweek set vs. the Yankees, Baltimore brings an AL-best 8-4 road mark into tonight. Play Orioles on Money Line