NHL picks: Taylor Corridor amongst finest bets for Recreation 2 of 2026 Stanley Cup Remaining

The final two occasions the Vegas Golden Knights started a playoff matchup on the street, they returned house with a 2-0 collection lead. The 2026 Western Convention champions are hoping to increase that streak on Thursday.

Vegas will try to take a 2-0 lead within the 2026 Stanley Cup Remaining after they go to the Lenovo Heart in Raleigh, N.C. for Recreation 2 in opposition to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Golden Knights drew first blood on Tuesday, rallying from an early two-goal deficit and rising with a 5-4 victory as Tomas Hertl snapped a tie with 3:24 remaining within the third interval.

The win was the franchise playoff-record seventh in a row for Vegas, breaking the earlier mark set through the 2020 postseason. It additionally was the Golden Knights’ third consecutive triumph in Recreation 1s on the street, as they kicked off their 2024 first-round collection in opposition to the Dallas Stars and this 12 months’s convention ultimate assembly with the Colorado Avalanche with victories.

Vegas went on to win Recreation 2 in each of these collection, however it will definitely misplaced the matchup in opposition to Dallas in seven video games. Nevertheless, the membership shocked the Hockey world by sweeping Colorado to advance to the Remaining for the third time in its nine-season existence.

The Hurricanes gained their first two collection this postseason in eerily comparable style, as they recorded a shutout victory within the opener, posted a 3-2 time beyond regulation win in Recreation 2 (double time beyond regulation within the first spherical) and finally registered a pair of one-goal triumphs in sweeps of each the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers. They broke that sample within the Japanese Convention Remaining by dropping Recreation 1 in opposition to the Montreal Canadiens however adopted with 4 straight wins to earn the third Remaining look in franchise historical past.

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Carolina scored lower than a minute into Recreation 1 of the convention ultimate however wound up struggling a 6-2 loss earlier than occurring the four-game run. The workforce is trying to comply with the identical blueprint within the Remaining and win its second Cup because it tallied within the opening minute of the opener in opposition to Vegas however completed with a loss.

Brett Howden scored his playoff-leading eleventh aim and added an help for the Golden Knights in Recreation 1, whereas defenseman Shea Theodore netted a tally and arrange two others. Fellow blue-liner Brayden McNabb collected three assists as Vegas improved to 20-4-1 since John Tortorella changed Bruce Cassidy as head coach with eight video games remaining within the common season.

Nikolaj Ehlers staked the Hurricanes to the 2-0 lead within the collection opener along with his second two-goal efficiency this postseason. Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere and captain Jordan Staal additionally scored whereas blue-liner Jalen Chatfield notched a pair of assists.

The NHL betting odds on the main sportsbooks see the Hurricanes as favorites in Recreation 2 of the Stanley Cup Remaining, as they’re listed at about -160. In the meantime, the Golden Knights are priced round +135. Carolina has scored first in every of its final six video games and 12 of 14 total this postseason. The workforce is -135 at DraftKings Sportsbook to increase its streak on Thursday. Study tips on how to learn betting odds right here.

Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights Recreation 2 finest bets

Pavel Dorofeyev: Over 2.5 photographs on aim (+108, FanDuel)

Dorofeyev entered the Stanley Cup Remaining with a share of the postseason goal-scoring lead however was overtaken as teammate Brett Howden netted his eleventh tally in Recreation 1. There was no lack of effort to attain on Dorofeyev’s half, nevertheless, as he was certainly one of Vegas’ three co-leaders with three photographs on aim. The 25-year-old Russian proper wing is tied with teammate Jack Eichel for second amongst remaining postseason gamers with 45 photographs and has registered at the very least three in six of his final eight video games. I imagine he’ll be firing the puck at Carolina’s Frederik Andersen typically as soon as once more in Recreation 2.

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Taylor Corridor: 1+ factors (-104, FanDuel)

Corridor leads the Hurricanes in scoring with 16 factors this postseason, which he started with a six-game streak throughout which he collected three objectives and 6 assists. The 34-year-old left wing has slowed down, touchdown on the scoresheet in solely three of his final eight contests. Corridor registered three factors in two of these three outings, nevertheless, and has gone back-to-back video games with no level simply as soon as in these playoffs. I like him to contribute offensively in Recreation 2 and would not be shocked if he got here up with one other multi-point efficiency.