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A quartet of opening-game losers are looking to even the series.

Lightning (+150) @ Panthers (-180)

The Lightning were lucky to still be breathing after the first 15 minutes of Game 1. The Panthers channeled the energy from the home crowd and completely outplayed their rival to start the game. However, Florida managed only one goal before Tampa created a scoring chance and finished with just a 13-10 edge in high-danger chances.

Tampa's lethal power play only got two chances to go to work - scoring once - and there's a good chance the team will get more opportunities in Game 2.

At +150, the odds for a Lightning win aren't differing from Game 1 and imply they need to win this game more than 40% of the time to be valuable. Taking Tampa - a veteran team - to draw even in what should be a highly competitive series is a pretty good idea, so if you think this matchup is closer to a 50/50 proposition, you're getting value on the Bolts.

Pick: Lightning moneyline (+150)

Avalanche (-120) @ Jets (+100)

Fading the Avalanche after a 3.77-1.48 advantage in even-strength expected goals isn't easy. However, which of these two aspects of the series in which we favored the Jets is more likely to occur in Game 2?

1. The Jets, who were strong all season, drive play more evenly.
2. Alexandar Georgiev is suddenly good after an effort in which he registered minus-4.43 goals saved above expected.

Georgiev was below average in the regular season (minus-0.21 GSAx), and a turnaround in his play seems far less likely than a turnaround by his counterpart, Vezina favorite Connor Hellebuyck, who also struggled in Game 1. However, rookie Justus Annunen missed practice with an illness on Monday, making him a high-risk play if Colorado wants to give up on Georgiev already.

With no good option in net, the Avalanche may need even more than a 14-8 edge in high-danger chances at even strength.

Pick: Jets moneyline (+100)

Predators (+130) @ Canucks (-155)

This was published before Thatcher Demko was ruled out of Game 2.

Vancouver's first home playoff game in nine years was almost too much for the team. Many said it took some time to settle into the contest. But now that the Canucks have felt what Rogers Arena can be come playoff time, look for them to channel that energy better early on.

The Canucks saw what the Predators do - attempt long breakout passes to counter their dominant offensive-zone possession - and quickly made adjustments, allowing no high-danger chances at even strength in the second period and just four in the third despite late pressure from Nashville.

Vancouver also tightened up its penalty kill after an early Preds conversion and avoided undisciplined penalties.

The Canucks drove play throughout the game and will have the right strategy in place in Game 2. While a moneyline bet should cash, risking -155 might not be your flavor in the postseason. The convincing win that these odds suggest probably comes with a more efficient start and Vancouver leading after the first period. That's a bet worth making at plus odds.

Pick: Canucks - First period 3-way (+150)

Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on social media @mrussauthentic.

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Brad Marchand is deeply familiar with Boston's first-round opponent, but he doesn't think these are the same Toronto Maple Leafs that his Bruins have dismantled in prior postseasons.

"They're playing a really good, playoff-type game right now," he said Tuesday. "You knew they would. They're built different than in the past years. They're playing a lot more physical, very committed to forechecking, playing very tight defensively. So, you've got to give them credit. They're one of the top teams for a reason. And then when you add their offensive ability on top of that, they're a tough team to play right now.

"We're seeing it. ... It's a very tight playoff series. We knew it was going to be a battle. They've shown up. They're playing for keeps. It's a good challenge."

Marchand has clashed with the Leafs in the playoffs three other times in his career, first in 2013 and then in back-to-back years in 2018 and 2019. The Bruins won each of those series in seven games, and Marchand has totaled seven goals - including two game-winners - and 21 points in 21 contests over that span.

The veteran winger has logged three assists through two games so far in this series.

The Bruins took Game 1 in a 5-1 decision, but the Maple Leafs answered with a 3-2 victory on Monday. It's been a wildly physical affair so far, with the teams combining for exactly 200 hits. Boston holds a narrow edge with 103 hits to Toronto's 97.

Though the series is tied, the Maple Leafs have tilted the ice in their favor through the first two contests. Toronto has dictated 58.3% of the shot attempts, 68.2% of the scoring chances, 57% of the expected goals, and 65.8% of the high-danger chances at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick.

Marchand said he doesn't think the Bruins have played up to their full capabilities just yet.

"We can be better for sure. ... We can definitely prove our game and put a better showing out there," he said.

The series shifts to Toronto for Game 3 on Wednesday.

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Lindy Ruff has already spent a combined 25 seasons with the Buffalo Sabres as a player and head coach, but his latest stint with the franchise is personal.

"I think I understand ... how great this city is when you have a successful hockey club. ... It would mean a lot to have this group of players experience what I was able to experience as a player and as a coach," the bench boss said Tuesday during his introductory press conference. "This building shook in some of the playoff series."

Ruff played 608 games with the Sabres from 1979-89, then returned to serve as head coach from 1997 to 2013. Buffalo made the playoffs eight times with him at the helm, including three trips to the conference finals and one to the Stanley Cup Final.

The Sabres extended their playoff drought to 13 seasons after missing out on the postseason by seven points. The last time they played beyond the regular season was in 2011 when Ruff was nearing the end of his first tour behind Buffalo's bench.

Ruff, whom the New Jersey Devils fired in early March, made it clear he didn't say yes right away when the Sabres called.

"I was questioning myself, 'Why would I do this?'" he said. "Then I came to a point, 'Why wouldn't I?' Because I'm a risk-taker. I think if there's no risk, there's no reward. I'm putting myself in that position."

Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams spoke to double-digit candidates after firing Don Granato last Tuesday but soon landed on Ruff as the right person for the job.

"I truly believe that he's the person to take us to the next level," Adams said. "Our players are craving it, we're excited about it, and the hard work begins now."

Ruff knows that shifting the Sabres' culture to a winning one won't be easy, but he believes he's a "much better coach" now than when he first left Buffalo.

"The only thing we can say is, when we hit camp, we're going to prove that we're going to get to the next level," Ruff said.

"I want (the players) to love playing here," he added. "I want them to love playing for each other, and I want them to love being a Buffalo Sabre for Sabres fans that I think are some of the greatest in the league. How are we gonna get there? We're going to have to earn it from Day 1. ... We're gonna have to step on the ice when the season starts and earn the respect of everybody."

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Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko wasn't in the crease for Game 2 of their first-round series against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night due to injury. Veteran backup Casey DeSmith started in his place.

Demko is questionable for the rest of the series, reports Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli.

Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet added that Demko's latest ailment "wasn't the old injury" but a day-to-day issue, according to NHL.com's Adam Kimelman.

Despite not being the same injury, it involves the same knee that caused him to miss 14 games late in the regular season, reports TSN's Farhan Lalji. Demko returned for the final two contests of the schedule, earning a win over the Calgary Flames last Tuesday and losing to the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.

Demko didn't take part in the Canucks' optional skate Tuesday and didn't practice Monday. He also wasn't made available to reporters following Vancouver's Game 1 victory Sunday because he was receiving treatment.

Demko is a Vezina Trophy candidate this season. He posted a .918 save percentage while going 35-14-2 in 51 contests.

DeSmith went 12-9-6 with an .896 save percentage across 29 games in 2023-24. His only playoff experience to date was the "Spicy Pork and Broccoli" game in May 2022, which he exited with an injury, forcing Louis Domingue to come in and ultimately win for the Pittsburgh Penguins in triple overtime.

Rookie Arturs Silovs, the Canucks' other goalie, played five NHL games last season and four more this campaign. The 23-year-old Latvian went 3-0-1 with an .881 mark over his four appearances in 2023-24.

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