NHL Best Bets
There was some incredible NHL action last night, and if you’re anything like me, you were probably up late sweating out the Edmonton Oilers ML, which lost in such a heartbreaking fashion. Hopefully, tonight’s slate can live up to the hype of last night as there are plenty of strong matchups to go around, including what I am referring to as the “Stadium Series Final” between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers. Let’s get into my NHL best bets.
NY Rangers at New Jersey (-112, 6.5)
The New York Rangers head into Newark tonight riding an eight-game winning streak. The team did not hold a morning skate, so it is unclear as to who will be starting in goal, but I imagine that Peter Laviolette is going to ride the hot hand of Igor Shesterkin, who is 4-0-0 in his last four starts with a .937 save percentage and a 2.26 goals against average. He also had a shutout in that span and happens to be coming off of a 41-save performance against the Dallas Stars.
The Rangers have been averaging 4.25 goals per game and only allowing 2.13 goals against per game during the streak, but one area that hasn’t done so well is their special teams. Despite their power play only clicking at 16% and their penalty kill at 75%, the Rangers have continuously found different ways to win hockey games.
The New Jersey Devils have had some major power play issues, as they’re converting at a 6.9% rate in their last nine games. The Devils have gone 4-4-1 in that span.
It is uncertain who they will be starting in net as well since Nico Daws has played the majority of their recent games, but he is coming off of a horrible performance. However, in his last five games, Daws is 3-2-0 with a 2.53 goals against average and a .926 save percentage. It should be his net.
To be fully transparent, I’m not quite sure why the Devils are favored in this game when they haven’t found much consistency. I think they will get a strong performance from Jack Hughes, who has had a minimum of five shots on goal in five straight games. He always shows up against the Rangers.
I believe the Rangers keep their win streak going, but Hughes will do everything in his power to take over.
NHL Best Bet(s): New York Rangers ML -108 (play to -120) | Jack Hughes Over 4.5 SOG +124 (play to +100)
Toronto at Vegas (-115, 6)
The Toronto Maple Leafs have won five straight games without their most important defenseman Morgan Rielly, who was serving a five-game suspension. Tonight, Rielly is set to return, so in typical Leafs fashion, it would be characteristic of them to have their winning streak come to an end with him returning.
This is going to be a plot pick for me. The Leafs are playing their second night of a back-to-back after beating the Arizona Coyotes last night, but there were some moments in that game that looked like it could slip away from them.
The Vegas Golden Knights are coming off a bad loss at home against the Nashville Predators, so this is a good bounce-back spot for them. The Leafs have been feeding off of their power play lately, which is clicking at an impressive 56% over their last nine games, but the Golden Knights penalty kill has been pretty strong as well, as they’re at 83.3%.
The Golden Knights have lost three straight home games, so it feels like they’re due for a win, considering that they’re 19-8-2 at home this season.
Shea Theodore will be playing his second game back for Vegas after missing a ton of time due to injury. He is a very important piece to their blue line. Theodore has a big impact on the game, so he should be more comfortable in this one than he was in his return.
Adin Hill should be the starter for Vegas tonight. He has been one of the best goalies in the league this season, with a 14-5-2 record with a .929 save percentage and a 2.15 goals against average.
I like the Golden Knights in this spot on home ice.
NHL Best Bet: Vegas Golden Knights ML -115 (play to -130)
February Record: 11-13 (-3.37 units)
2023-24 record: 91–106 (-38.15 units)
