Expert NHL Best Bets and Predictions for Thursday, April 4

NHL Best Bets

It’s another night of big matchups across the NHL with playoff implications. The New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Washington Capitals are all in action this evening as they compete for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. If you haven’t been paying attention, the Penguins might actually be the most dangerous of the teams competing right now, as they have points in six straight games. Let’s get into my NHL best bets. 

Pittsburgh at Washington (-112, 6)

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been playing some inspired hockey. This group has started to believe again. 

Since March 24th, which is the span of their six-game streak, the Penguins have the third-highest scoring offense in the NHL, and Sidney Crosby leads the entire league in points with 15 (6 goals, 9 assists). The Penguins have been trending in a positive direction, while the Washington Capitals looked pretty lifeless in Buffalo the other night in a bad loss against the Sabres. 

The Capitals have gone 2-2-1 in their last five games. But they have lost three straight and have only scored a combined five goals in those three games. The Capitals had a great chance at boosting their odds at the playoffs. In their last five games, they’re averaging 2.40 goals per game, but defensively they have been incredibly weak. 

Washington is allowing 3.20 goals against per game and their penalty kill has been horrendous at a 66.7% rate. Charlie Lindgren is the expected starter. He had a rough go the other night, giving up six goals on 31 shots. 

The Penguins have been the much better defensive team, as they’ve only allowed 2.67 goals against per game over their last six, while their penalty kill is at an impressive 94.1%. 

Crosby and the Penguins are rolling right now. I’m feeling the mojo with that group.

NHL Best Bet: Pittsburgh Penguins ML -112 (play to -125)

NYi Islanders at Columbus (+154, 6)

The New York Islanders have found a way to win their last two games and three of their last four, but they’re playing some pretty ugly hockey. Tonight, they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets and hope to get some help around the league to get back into a playoff spot. The Blue Jackets aren’t a team that will roll over. In their last five games, the Islanders are averaging the lowest goals per game in the NHL, only scoring 2.00, while their power play is at 6.3%. They’re lucky to have gotten solid goaltending from Semyon Varlamov. He is 2-1-1 in his last four starts with a .909 save percentage. 

The Columbus Blue Jackets offense isn’t much of a threat, either. They’re averaging 2.75 goals in their last four games played. Both of these teams have been scoring less than three goals per game all season, and they also don’t have elite power plays. 

The Islanders will try to play as tight defensively as possible, considering how important these points are. 

Neither team has confirmed their starting goaltender yet, but honestly, I don’t see New York or Columbus having any offensive explosion. 

I feel safe thinking this will be a low-scoring game.

NHL Best Bet: Under 6 -105 (play to -115)

April Record: 3-1 (+2.00 units)

2023-24 record: 132–133 (-26.31 units)