NHL Best Bets

I cannot believe the New Jersey Devils blew a 2-0 lead last night. What a terrible way to lose that bet, but credit to Tage Thompson on the Buffalo Sabres, who popped off for four goals last night. With 30 NHL teams in action, we’re getting closer and closer to figuring out which teams will solidify their spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Let’s get into my NHL best bets. 

Toronto at Buffalo (+130, 6.5)

The Toronto Maple Leafs are only four points ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning for the third spot in the Atlantic Division. This game against the Buffalo Sabres is a huge opportunity for them to try and create more separation. Buffalo played last night and beat New Jersey by the score of 5-2, so tonight is the second leg of a back-to-back for them. 

 

The Sabres have been inconsistent all season long. They play well one night and then no-show the next night. It has been typical of them to underperform in a game like tonight’s. 

Devon Levi started last night for Buffalo, so tonight, the crease should belong to Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Luukkonen is 5-3-0 in his last eight starts, but his numbers aren’t very impressive. He has earned a 3.21 goals against average and a .894 save percentage. 

Auston Matthews is looking for goal number 60 on the season tonight. He’s scored six goals in his last 10 games, but he is known for lighting up the Sabres. In 25 career games against Buffalo, Matthews has scored 18 goals. 

In March, both teams were able to fill the back of the net, but neither team got great goaltending. They’re both scoring more than three goals per game while also allowing three goals or more against per contest. 

I think this game will til towards the Leafs, but I’m not all that comfortable picking a side in this one. 

This game shouldn’t be very defensive. I expect a lot of back-and-forth offense with Matthews finding the back of the net. 

NHL Best Bet(s): Over 6.5 -105 (play to -115) | Auston Matthews anytime goal scorer -150 (play to -160)

NY Islanders at Tampa Bay (-162, 6.5)

The New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning both need to find a way to win this hockey game. This is going to have the feel of a playoff game. The Islanders are coming off a massive win against the Florida Panthers and are looking to carry that into tonight’s game against the Lightning. 

Tampa Bay has been one of the hottest teams in the NHL. They’re 8-1-1 in their last 10 games and a big reason for their success is how well they’re defending, as well as the play of Andrei Vasilevskiy. Tampa has only allowed 2.60 goals against in the last month. What’s even more impressive is that their penalty kill is skating to a 96.9% rate. 

Vasilevskiy is 7-1-1 in his last nine starts and is skating to a .909 save percentage with a 2.55 goals against average. Semyon Varlamov is getting his second straight start for the Islanders, deservingly so because he’s been the hotter goaltender as of late. In his last four starts, Varlamov is 3-0-1 with a 2.47 goals against average and a .914 save percentage. 

To me, this is going to be a goaltending duel between Varlamov and Vasilevskiy, and with the intensity of this matchup, I think we’ll see a low-scoring game. 

NHL Best Bet: Under 6.5 -122 (play to -135)

March Record: 27-20 (+3.72 units)

2023-24 record: 127–131 (-29.26 units)

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