NHL playoff picks: 3rd time's a charm for the Islanders

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Round 2 comes to an end on Saturday, and it's a shame because it's been quite profitable for us - not to mention wildly entertaining.

Friday's games were outstanding, and we've got one more Game 7 to enjoy on Saturday before it's off to the conference finals.

New York Islanders (-125) @ Philadelphia Flyers (+105)

How did we get here?

Up 3-1 in the series and in complete control on the ice, the Islanders looked like a lock to meet the Tampa Bay Lightning in Round 3. Left for dead, the Flyers have resurrected their Stanley Cup hopes, but for how long?

Carter Hart has been immaculate for Philadelphia to help force Game 7, standing on his head in a pair of overtime wins. The Flyers were outshot 42-17 in regulation of Game 6; they were trailing 4-3 heading into the third period and were still outshot 14-4 over the final 20 minutes despite their playoff lives hanging in the balance.

Philadelphia has looked good during spells in this series, but the Islanders have ultimately been the much better team since the puck dropped in Game 1. They've controlled a much larger portion of the expected goal share and are fully deserving of a spot in the conference finals. I touted them to win this series before it began, and nothing I've seen through six games has me doubting that selection.

Pick: Islanders (-125)

(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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