NHL Best Bets

Well, folks, we have officially made it to the NHL trade deadline week, and it will be an absolutely wild couple of days. Depending on how teams play in their games over the next few nights could impact the decisions they make come Friday at 3 p.m. There are nine NHL games tonight. Those matchups feature some teams that could be very active in trade talks this week. Let’s get to my NHL best bets.

Montreal at Nashville (-218, 6)

The Nashville Predators have been the hottest team in the NHL as of late. They’re currently riding the high of an eight-game winning streak. 

 

The Predators have been known to struggle offensively a bit in years past, but during this streak, they’re averaging 4.3 goals per game. Roman Josi, Gustav Nyquist, and Filip Forsberg each have scored four goals in that eight-game span. Nashville has scored 37 goals over the course of the streak and have only allowed 13 goals against. 

The Montreal Canadiens have lost seven of their last eight games. This is a matchup featuring two teams that are trending in relatively opposite directions. Montreal’s special teams haven’t been too hot lately. Their power play is at 12.5% over their last seven games. The penalty kill is at 72.2%. 

The Canadiens are currently skating to the third worst expected goals against per 60 minutes in the NHL. As a group, they’re expected to allow 3.43 goals against per game. The Predators offense should be able to take advantage. 

Nashville hasn’t been giving up much defensively. They’re allowing less than 30 shots against per game, which is making life a bit easier on their netminders. 

Kevin Lankinen may start in goal tonight for the Predators. In his last two starts, he is 2-0-0, but the numbers haven’t been all that great. That said, there is a chance that Juuse Saros will get the nod. He has been outstanding on the win streak. Saros is 6-0-0 with a .954 save percentage and a 1.34 goals-against average. The Predators have allowed only one goal in three straight games. 

This is Nashville’s game to lose as they continue to try and solidify their spot in the playoffs. 

NHL Best Bet: Nashville Predators to win in regulation -135 (play to -145)

St. Louis at NY Islanders (-180, 6) 

The New York Islanders are another team that is poised to make a playoff run, barring some deadline acquisitions. The Islanders are six points back of the playoffs but are starting to play good hockey at the right time. They’ve won three straight games entering this one. They have the St. Louis Blues playing on the second night of a back-to-back. This is a perfect opportunity for the Islanders to win their fourth straight. 

Throughout their streak, the Islanders have been averaging 4.33 goals per game. Their power play has scored on two of their last six attempts. 

That said, the St. Louis Blues shouldn’t be taken lightly. The Blues find themselves on the outside looking in as well. After allowing 41 shots last night, it’s fair to guess that Jordan Binnington will have the night off in goal. 

Joel Hofer should get the start tonight for the Blues. In his last two starts he is 0-2-0 with a 3.53 goals against average and a .888 save percentage. He hasn’t been at his best. 

The Islanders will look to their star player Mat Barzal to lead the way tonight. Barzal has one goal and four assists in his last five games, but he’s ramped it up lately as the team looks to get back in contention. Barzal is coming off a game where he had zero shots on goal, but he’s had a minimum of three shots in three of his last five games. I expect him to have some more urgency tonight. 

NHL Best Bet(s): Mat Barzal Over 2.5 shots on goal -166 (play to -175) | New York Islanders to win in regulation -120 (play to -130)

March Record: 2-2 (-0.10 units)

2023-24 record: 102–113 (-34.46 units)

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