NHL Best Bets

The Daniil Tarasov loss last night was frustrating. There’s nothing more annoying than losing an NHL best bet on a hook. He had exactly 29 saves, and we had him at 29.5, so that one stings. 

Today is the day that all hockey fans look forward to: the NHL Trade Deadline. Because of that, the schedule tonight is relatively light as there are only four games on. Some of the NHL teams playing this evening could have some things to figure out with their respective rosters. 

 

Two teams I’m looking at tonight are the Detroit Red Wings and the Colorado Avalanche. 

Let’s get into it. 

Detroit at Arizona (+114, 6.5)

The Detroit Red Wings have now lost three straight games. Teams like the New York Islanders, Washington Capitals, and New Jersey Devils are trying to catch them, so the Red Wings can’t really afford to lose these games. Tonight in Arizona is a big one for them. 

The Arizona Coyotes are the perfect opponent for a team that’s on a skid. The Coyotes have lost seven straight home games and are 2-7-1 in their last 10 games overall. This is not a very strong hockey team. 

Connor Ingram is expected to get the nod tonight for the Coyotes. In his last four starts, he is 0-3-1 with a 3.56 goals against average and a .870 save percentage. Over the past 15 games, Arizona is 2-11-2 and have been allowing 4.27 goals against per game. In the same span, the Red Wings are averaging 3.50 goals per contest. 

Despite losing three straight games, Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane have led the way for Detroit. In their last 10 contests, DeBrincat has tallied four goals with five assists, while Kane has added five goals and seven helpers. The Red Wings need these two to pick it up a bit as the team has only scored five goals in the past three games. 

Detroit isn’t linked to any specific player today, but they should be looking to add at the deadline. 

I can’t emphasize enough how much the Red Wings need to win this game. This is a get-right game for this group as they look to push toward the playoffs. I’m not overthinking this one. 

NHL Best Bet: Detroit Red Wings ML -135 (play to -145)

Minnesota at Colorado (-218, 6.5)

The Colorado Avalanche were one of the more active teams yesterday. They have four new players that they’re looking to put in their lineup. The Avalanche added Casey Mittlestadt, Sean Walker, Brandon Duhaime and Yakov Trenin. These four players might not be huge names, but they’re certainly big pieces to help this team win their second Stanley Cup in three seasons. 

Colorado is a wagon. The Avs have won four of their last five games. In all four of those wins, they scored a minimum of five goals in each game. 

Cale Makar is coming off of his first career hat trick, and Nathan MacKinnon continues to be an absolute cheat code. MacKinnon has recorded a point in all 31 home games for the Avs, which is insane. 

The Avs are 25-6-0 on home ice this season. They’re facing the Minnesota Wild, who are 15-15-2 on the road.

Over the past month, the Wild and Avalanche have both been able to fill the back of the net. Minnesota is scoring 3.69 goals per game while the Avs are tallying 3.46 goals per game in that span. 

Even though they’re scoring goals, the Wild haven’t gotten the best of goaltending. Filip Gustavsson is expected to get the nod tonight. His past five games haven’t been the prettiest. He is 2-2-1 in that span with a 3.88 goals against average and a .863 save percentage. 

When you look at Minnesota, Kirill Kaprizov has been one of the best in the league as of late. He has 9 goals and 8 assists in his last 10 games and has carried their offense for quite some time. 

Colorado is generating the sixth-most high-danger chances per 60 minutes, as they’re getting 12.75 per game. To me, this is Colorado’s game, but I also see it being very high-scoring. 

NHL Best Bet(s): Colorado Avalanche to win in regulation -140 (play to -150) | Over 6.5 -110 (play to -125)

March Record: 6-7 (-2.96 units)

2023-24 record: 106–118 (-37.32 units)

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