Expert NHL Best Bets and Predictions for Tuesday, March 19

NHL Best Bets

I hope everyone got to enjoy their St. Patrick’s Day weekend. We have a lot of hockey to watch tonight, and the playoff races are heating up. There are plenty of big-boy matchups to choose from tonight, it’s the perfect evening to plant yourself on the couch and flip through games. Let’s get into my NHL best bets.

Winnipeg at NY Rangers (-125, 5.5)

The Winnipeg Jets and New York Rangers are two teams trending in positive directions, so much so that this is even considered a potential Stanley Cup Final preview. 

When looking at this matchup tonight, the first thing that comes to mind is the goaltending battle—Connor Hellebuyck against Igor Shesterkin, two of the best in today’s game. Whenever these two teams meet, it tends to be a bit more low-scoring, largely due to the two guys I just mentioned. 

The last six contests between the Rangers and Jets have gone Under. I have a strong feeling that we’ll see a similar story tonight. That said, I’m focusing on the first period. 

Both teams are averaging less than one goal scored and allowed in the first period of their games this season. Now that we’re toward the end of the year, the games are typically played a little tighter. 

Shesterkin has been outstanding lately. He has a record of 10-2-1, a .941 save percentage, and a 1.92 goals against average over his last 13 starts. 

Hellebuyck’s record hasn’t been as solid as Shesterkin’s, but he is skating to a .918 save percentage and a 2.59 goals against average in his last 14 starts. 

I expect a low-scoring first 20 minutes tonight. 

NHL Best Bet: Under 1.5 first period -110 (play to -120)

Minnesota at Anaheim (+185, 6)

There is no way around it. Tonight is a must-win game for the Minnesota Wild. The Wild still have hopes to make the Stanley Cup playoffs as they’re only five points back. Every point matters for them, and they need to beat up on the weaker teams like the Ducks. 

Anaheim is currently on a six-game losing streak. They have only scored four goals combined in their last four games and have been shut out twice in that span. 

The Wild have won five of their last seven games but have registered a point in all those contests. Minnesota has been one of the best teams in the league since February 1st. A lot of their success is thanks to the offensive explosion of Kirill Kaprizov. 

Since February 1st, Kaprizov is third in the league in scoring as he has 16 goals and 15 assists for 31 points in 19 games. The guy is on fire. 

Marc-Andre Fleury is expected to start tonight for the Wild and he has been stellar in the blue paint as of late. In his past six starts, he is 4-1-1 with a 1.63 goals against average and a .936 save percentage. 

Anaheim has been allowing 4.28 goals against per game since February 1st, which is the NHL’s worst goals against in that span. 

I expect Minnesota to have full control in this very important game. 

NHL Best Bet: Minnesota Wild to win in regulation -135 (play to -150)

March Record: 16-14 (-1.44 units)

2023-24 record: 116–125 (-33.52 units)