Expert NHL Best Bets and Predictions for Thursday, March 21

NHL Best Bets

Well, it’s officially the best time of year with March Madness beginning, but it is also another loaded night around the NHL with 11 different games going on. This evening, I will stick with the Eastern Conference for my NHL best bets. The New York Rangers and Boston Bruins have a significant game for the President’s Trophy implications, while the New York Islanders and Detroit Red Wings continue to battle for the second wild-card spot. 

Let’s get into it. 

NY Rangers at Boston (-135, 5.5)

The New York Rangers and Boston Bruins meet for the third time this season. The Rangers have taken the previous two games, but with first place in the entire NHL on the line, this game might have more meaning. 

The Bruins currently lead the league with 97 points. The Rangers are right on their doorstep, only three points back (94). Boston has really picked their game up as of late, winning five out of their last six games while their offense has exploded. They’ve been averaging 4.00 goals per game over this span and David Pastrnak has been on fire. 

The Rangers haven’t announced who their starting goalie is at the time of writing. Based on yesterday’s practice, it seems likely that Jonathan Quick will be in the blue paint. Whether Quick or Igor Shesterkin are in goal, the Rangers are still missing key members of their blue line in Jacob Trouba and Ryan Lindgren, so they might have a hard time slowing this firepower Boston offense. 

Over the Rangers’ last seven games, they’ve been playing pretty strong. They’ve gone 5-2-0 in that stretch while scoring 3.57 goals per game. 

Both teams have been playing strong offensively over the past few weeks, especially on the power play. Boston is clicking at a 33.3% rate. The Rangers are scoring at a 30% pace. 

Whenever the total is at 5.5, it is so hard not to take the Over with the amount of scoring in today’s NHL. 

Despite both teams having elite goaltending, I will take my chances on them scoring some goals tonight. 

NHL Best Bet: Over 5.5 -122 (play to -135)

NY Islanders at Detroit (-110, 6.5)

To me, if the New York Islanders don’t win tonight, their season is over. The Islanders have lost five games in a row, and their playoff hopes are dwindling. Their opponent tonight is the team that they’re currently chasing for the second wild-card spot. The Detroit Red Wings are coming off of a big, but lucky, win against the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

Detroit currently sits three points ahead of the Islanders, but the Red Wings haven’t been playing all that great as well. 

About two weeks ago, it felt like the Islanders were this team of destiny to get into that second wild-card spot. Then, out of nowhere, they started playing a bit of uninspired hockey. However, with Patrick Roy behind their bench, I am still confident that this group can find a way to get back in the mix. 

Bo Horvat has been on fire in the last 10 games for the Islanders. He has tallied six goals and six assists in this span and has been a pretty reliable goal scorer, but the team needs a little more from everyone, especially their goaltender Ilya Sorokin. 

New York hasn’t confirmed their starter for tonight yet, but James Reimer will be in goal for Detroit. He is 2-1-0 in his last three starts with a 3.22 goals against. Horvat, along with Mat Barzal and Brock Nelson, need to show up tonight. I’d have to imagine that Roy will have his guys ready to go and the last time these two teams met about three weeks ago, the Islanders won by the score of 5-3 in Detroit. 

I’m expecting the most desperate effort from the Islanders tonight that they’ve had all season. 

NHL Best Bet: New York Islanders ML -110 (play to -125)

March Record: 19-15 (+1.44 units)

2023-24 record: 119–126 (-31.52 units)