NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Here are today’s NHL predictions and best bets.
Los Angeles Kings (10-5-4) at Washington Capitals (8-8-2)
Betting Line: Los Angeles (-105) at Washington (-115) – Total 5.5 (-110)
7 p.m. ET
The Los Angeles Kings have won all four games to kick off their six-game road trip and take the NHL’s second-best road record (9-1-2), trailing only the New York Rangers (9-1-1). They head to Washington tonight to face the Capitals. The Kings will get a bit of a break as the Capitals will go with Charlie Lindgren between the pipes, giving Logan Thompson the night off after starting each of the last four games. Lindgren has just one win in five starts this season, and his goals against average of 3.59 is just shy of two more goals per game than number one goalie, Logan Thompson (1.85 GAA). Lindgren has given up four goals or more in each of his last four starts (5.4,7,4).
Former Capitals goalie Darcy Kuemper gets the start for LA. Lindgren is 1-1 with a goals against average of 2.00 in his two career starts versus the Kings. LA’s Alex Laferriere has stayed red hot, with points in 10 of his last 13 games and eight of his last nine on the road. Kevin Fiala has 14 points in 16 games against the Capitals, and Quinton Byfield has points in three straight and four of his last five games. With John Carlson out of the lineup, Jakob Chychrun has been the focal point from the blueline when it comes to unloading shots. Chychrun had six shots on goal last time out and I will come back to him again tonight.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Chychrun Over 2.5 SOG (-128) – 1 unit
Chychrun Over 3.5 SOG (+192) – .25 units
Fiala/Byfield/Laferriere point prop parlay (+260) – .50 units
Regulation Draw (+330) – .10 units
Adrian Kempe anytime goal (+190) – .10 units
Montreal Canadiens (10-6-2) at Columbus Blue Jackets (9-7-2)
Betting Line: Montreal (+100) at Columbus (-120) – Total 6.5 Under (-120)
7:30 p.m. ET
The Canadiens come into Columbus tonight looking to halt a three-game losing streak that has seen them score just three goals. They face a Jackets team that has just two wins in their last seven games. The Habs have dominated this matchup of late, winning seven of the past eight meetings between the two teams. With Columbus on the front end of a back-to-back, the Jackets will go with Jet Greaves against Montreal and the Habs countering with Jakub Dobes. Dobes has given up the game’s first goal in 19 of his 24-career starts and has given up three or more goals in five of his last six starts.
One lineup change for the Canadiens that caught my eye was Zach Bolduc not only moved up to the second line but also to the top power play unit. With Montreal on a 0-for-17 drought with the extra man, it was time to shake things up. The Jackets’ Kirill Marchenko is riding an 11-game point streak that includes 10 assists. Marchenko has four points in six games against Montreal. Columbus has gone past regulation in three of their last four games. Prior to the Canadiens’ last four games being decided in regulation, they’ve had bonus hockey in four straight.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Columbus Blue Jackets to score first (-125) – 1 unit
Columbus Blue Jackets team total Over 3 (-145) – 1unit
Zach Bolduc Over ½ point (+158) – .25 units
Kirill Marchenko Over ½ assist (-120) – .25 units
Regulation Draw (+350) – .10 units
