NHL Predictions – Expert Picks on Sunday, February 9:
Just two games on the NHL schedule. In addition to my plays below, I also have two NHL/Super Bowl Cross Prop plays in an article that I posted to the website on Friday.
Utah HC at Washington Capitals (-205, 5.5)
12:30 p.m. ET
It doesn’t get any easier for the Utah HC today, who were run over by the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, getting thumped, 7-3. Now, they head into the nation’s Capital to face Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. Washington is second overall and first in points percentage in the league standings. Today is also the first time these two teams will meet since Utah’s Jack McBain broke the leg of Alexander Ovechkin. Ovi, is just 16 goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record and with this being the final game before the league pauses for the 4 Nations Face-Off, I anticipate the “Great 8” to be firing away all day.
NHL Predictions: Washington Capitals in Regulation (-130) – 2 units
Alexander Ovechkin Over 3.5 SOG (+100) – 2 units
Alexander Ovechkin Over 4.5 SOG (+230) – ½ unit
Alexander Ovechkin anytime goal (+105) – ½ unit
Tampa Bay Lightning (-162, 6.5) at Montreal Canadiens
1 p.m. ET
With the Canadiens being blanked yesterday by the New Jersey Devils, our system play of a goal to be scored in the opening 10 minutes of the game and the first period Over 1.5 goals is in effect. If the first period Over 1.5 does not cash, I will double down on the second period to go Over 1.5 goals. The Lightning have won seven of the last 10 meetings against the Canadiens and have scored four or more goals in all seven wins. Montreal is expected to start rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes today. Dobes has given up the first goal of the game in his last seven starts.
NHL Predictions: Goal in first 10 Minutes/Yes (-155) – 2 units
1st Period Over 1.5 (-135) – 1.5 Units
Tampa Bay Lightning to score first goal of the game (+105) -3/4 unit
Tampa Bay Lightning TT over 3.5 (-110) – 1 unit
