NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Here are tonight’s NHL predictions and best bets
Philadelphia Flyers (37-26-12) at New York Islanders (42-29-5)
Flyers (+122) at Islanders (-146) – Total 5.5 (Over, -118)
7 p.m. ET
Both the Islanders and Flyers are looking to snap two-game losing streaks when they hit the ice tonight in Belmont, New York. The Isles currently sit in third place in the Metro Division, one point up on Columbus and four points (including the tiebreaker) ahead of Philadelphia. Tonight is the third and final meeting between the two teams, with the road team winning the previous two matchups. Three of the last four and five of the last eight meetings have gone to a shootout, including the November 28th game in Belmont, four of the finishing with a 4-3 result.
The Flyers will be on the second half of a back-to-back (6-6 record in this spot), and three of their last four games in this spot have gone past regulation. The Islanders are on the front end of a back-to-back and have won only five times in 14 games on the front end of a back-to-back this season, and five of their past seven games in this spot have had a combined six goals or more. Four of the past five Isles games have had a combined seven goals or more, and four of the last six Flyers games have had a combined six goals or more.
A couple of player props to consider. It’s been only two games for Porter Martone with the Flyers, and while he is still looking for his first goal, it’s not due to lack of effort. Martone had five shots on goal in his debut and had nine last night in a loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Tyson Foerster made his return to the Flyers last night after missing four months with an upper-body injury and scored in his return. He has faced the Islanders nine times in his career, scoring four goals on 16 shots. The Islanders Callum Ritchie is riding a five-game points streak and is on the Islanders top power play unit. Rookie Matthew Schaefer has points in four of his last five games and picked up a goal and an assist in the Islanders’ win over Philadelphia back in November. Mathew Barzal and Simon Holmstrom are both one shy of 20 goals.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Over 5.5 (-118) – 1 unit
Regulation Draw (+325) – .25
3-3 final in regulation (+1000) – .05
Porter Martone Over 2.5 SOG (+110) – 1 unit
Porter Martone Over 3.5 SOG (+260) – .25
Porter Martone Over 4.5 SOG (+600) – .10
Porter Martone anytime goal (+375) – .10
Ritchie/Schaefer point parlay (+179) – .10
Tyson Foerster anytime goal (+285) – .10
Simon Holmstrom anytime goal (+290) – .05
Matthew Barzal anytime goal (+235) – .05
Porter Martone Over 2.5 SOG/Troy Terry Over 2.5 SOG/Jackson Lacombe assist/Robert Thomas assist (+1071) – .10
St. Louis Blues (31-31-12) at Anaheim Ducks (41-29-5)
Blues (+118) at Ducks (-142) – Total 6 (Over, -118)
10 p.m. ET
The Anaheim Ducks have dropped three straight and face a Blues team tonight that they have lost 11 of their last 12 head-to-head matchups against. A win or overtime loss tonight for Anaheim and they would take over the top spot in the Pacific Division. At the time of this writing, I don’t have a goalie confirmation. Anaheim is on the front end of a back-to-back, and with the struggles that Lukas Dostal has had against St. Louis in his career (0-4-1, 5.53 GAA), it would not surprise me if Ville Husso starts for the third time this season against the Blues.
Dylan Holloway has an assist in four straight, five of six and three of four against the Ducks. He also has at least three shots on goal in five straight. Former Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler has five assists in five games against his former team. Anaheim’s Jackson LaCombe has an assist in five of his last six games. Troy Terry has had at least three shots on goal in both games against the Blues this season and is coming off a game against San Jose where he had six shots on goal. Terry should continue to get increased opportunities with Cutter Gauthier being out of the lineup.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Cam Fowler Over ½ assist (+240) – .20
Dylan Holloway Over ½ assist (+135) – .50
Dylan Holloway/Troy Terry each Over 2.5 SOG (+245) – .50
Jackson LaCombe Over ½ assist (-105) – .50
