NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Here are today’s NHL predictions and best bets.
Washington Capitals (18-9-4) at Winnipeg Jets (14-15-1)
Capitals (-125) at Jets (+105) – Total 6 (Over, -115)
7 p.m. ET
The Jets have not been able to keep the puck out of the net since Connor Hellebuyck went down with an injury. The backup goalie isn’t all to blame, as the team as a group has not defended well either. As a person who has been routinely betting the team total Over when a team is playing the Jets, I am not concerned about who is to blame. I just want us to cash our bet. Nine of the last 11 Jets games have seen the opposition score three or more goals and seven times the Jets have given up four or more goals. So yes, Capitals team total Over is on the card for today.
A couple of player props. Alexander Ovechkin has 58 goals in 76 games against the Jets, so yes, I will be on an Ovechkin anytime goal. Aliaksei Protas has points in four of five and seven of the last 10 games for Washington. Tom Wilson has points in eight of the last 10 games, and Connor McMichael has been flourishing on the Capitals’ top line. The Jets’ Alex Iafallo was bumped to the Jets’ top line last game, and he has five goals on 16 shots in nine games against Caps goalie Logan Thompson. Kyle Connor has assists in each of the last five games, and Gabe Vilardi has points in five straight games for Winnipeg. Finally, Winnipeg defenseman Josh Morrissey has four goals in seven games against Thompson.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Washington Capitals team total Over 3 (-135) – .75 units
Washington Capitals team total Over 3.5 (+122) – .25 units
Alexander Ovechkin anytime goal (+160) – .15 units
Ovechkin/Wilson/McMichael point parlay +443 – .25 units
Aliaksei Protas Over ½ point (+126) – .15 units
Alex Iafallo anytime goal (+480) – .10 units
Connor/Vilardi point parlay (+255) – .20 units
Josh Morrissey anytime goal (+500) – .05
Florida Panthers (15-13-2) at Dallas Stars (21-6-5)
Panthers (+115) at Stars (-135) – Total – 5.5 (Over, -135)
8 p.m. ET
For you history buffs, the last 10 meetings between the two teams have had a combined six goals or more. The Panthers Evan Rodrigues (4 goals in 6 games) and Sam Reinhart (5 goals in 6 games) have had their way with Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger. Brad Marchand (24 points in 23 games) and Carter Verhaeghe (13 points in 17 games) are two other Panthers players who have had success against the Stars. Verhaeghe has been on a goal-scoring tear and has registered three goals or more in seven consecutive games. On the Dallas side, no way you can pass on a Jason Robertson anytime goal prop. Robertson scored in three of the last four meetings between the two teams. Wyatt Johnston is on a four-game assist streak (6 total) and has two goals and five assists in seven games against Florida.
NHL Prediction and Best Bets:
Carter Verhaeghe anytime goal +240 – .10 units
Carter Verhaeghe Over 2.5 shots on goal (-110) – .50 units
Evan Rodrigues anytime goal +500 – .10 units
Sam Reinhart anytime goal +180 – .10 units
Marchand/Reinhart point parlay +193 – .25 units
Jason Robertson anytime goal +140 – .10 units
Florida/Dallas Over 5.5 (-135) – 2 units
Johnston/Robertson/Rantanen point parlay +180 – .50 units
Nashville Predators (12-14-4) at Colorado Avalanche (22-2-7)
Predators (+280) at Avalanche (-355) – Total 6.5 (Under, -125)
9 p.m. ET
Better get to your seat early. For those at home and watching on television, don’t be late either. Eleven of the last 12 Colorado home games have had a goal scored in the first five minutes. The Avs’ Nathan MacKinnon leads the league in shots on goal, and he likes to get a feel for the puck early in home games. MacKinnon has had three shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes in three straight home games and at least two shots on goal in four straight. Overall, MacKinnon has had five shots on goal or more in each of his last seven games and six or more shots on goal in six straight games.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Goal in the 1stfive minutes (+156) – 1 unit
Nathan MacKinnon Over 1.5 SOG in the 1stperiod (+122) – .75 units
Nathan MacKinnon Over 2.5 SOG in the 1stperiod (+375) – .25 units
Nathan MacKinnon Over 4.5 SOG (+110) – .75 units
Nathan MacKinnon Over 5.5 SOG (+200) – .25 units
