NHL playoff picks: Best bets for Wednesday

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Dillon Dube went full Theoren Fleury and then the Tampa Bay Lightning needed about 12 hours to win Game 1, so we didn't even get to the other game in the East between the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes - and we're taking the Bruins in that one.

Round 1 had an eventful start - to say the least - and thanks to the overtime delay, we get a bonus game on Wednesday.

In addition to our bet on the Bruins, here's what else we've got for this slate.

New York Islanders (+110) @ Washington Capitals (-140)

This matchup is a tough draw for the Capitals, who do some of their best work on the rush. They will be vulnerable against an Islanders team that excels at slowing attacks similar to Washington's. New York plays a gritty brand of hockey and is well-equipped to frustrate the Caps.

Offensively the Islanders aren't designed to light the lamp, but they have many capable scorers up and down their roster. Their scoring-by-committee approach gives reason to believe they will find success on the attack in this series, given Washington's defensive deficiencies and question marks in goal.

Regardless of how the series as a whole plays out, Barry Trotz is a man I'm comfortable backing in Game 1. Not only will he have his squad ready to run through a brick wall, but he'll have devised a tidy game plan to frustrate the Capitals' attack and exploit their defensive weaknesses. Plus, Washington playing without Lars Eller and quite possibly Norris candidate John Carlson only adds fuel to the fire. It's the perfect storm for the Isles, who steal Game 1 in what should be a very tight series.

Pick: Islanders (+110)

Vancouver Canucks (+125) @ St. Louis Blues (-160)

The Canucks' reward for beating the Wild is a date with the defending Stanley Cup champions. They played a strong game, which has started to turn a few doubters - including me. Most important, though, was Jacob Markstrom's form. The 30-year-old was stealing games for the Canucks, and that's what they'll need from their netminder if they want to beat the battle-tested Blues.

St. Louis was particularly poor in the qualifying round, but I'm putting little stock into that display. Much like the Bruins, this team is more than capable of turning it on when games really matter. The Blues are very well-coached and play a style conducive to playoff hockey - designed to frustrate and suffocate young teams like the Canucks. Even with Vancouver's star power up front, chances will be tough to come by.

Between a pair of teams backed by excellent goaltenders, the first to three goals will win what should be a hard-fought Game 1.

Pick: Under 5.5 (-130)

(Odds source: theScore Bet)

Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.

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