NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Here are today’s NHL predictions and best bets.
Carolina Hurricanes (31-15-5) at Ottawa Senators (23-20-7)
Hurricanes (-125) at Senators (+112) – Total 6 (Over, -120)
7 p.m. ET
No sense in burying the lead. The first period Over 1.5 goals is a “must bet.” Ottawa games have had two goals or more scored in the opening 20 minutes in 12 consecutive games. I am going to stay away from picking a winner in this game, but I will take the Hurricanes team total Over 3. I also like the Canes’ Seth Jarvis to cash his shots on goal prop Over 2.5 and will also sprinkle on his alternate totals. Jarvis has had 5,4,3,4,5,1 and 4 in his last seven games against the Senators. Overall, he has had four or more shots on goal in seven of his last nine games. The Hurricanes are a high-shot-volume team, averaging 32.3 shots on goal per game (second in the NHL).
NHL Predictions and Best Bets
1st Period Over 1.5 (-125) – 3 units
Seth Jarvis Over 2.5 shots on goal (-110) – 1 unit
Seth Jarvis Over 3.5 shots on goal (+230) – .50
James Reimer Over 24.5 saves (-118) – .50
Carolina Hurricanes Team Total Over 3 (-135) – 1 unit
Montreal Canadiens (28-16-7) at Boston Bruins (29-20-2)
Canadiens (-110) at Bruins (-110) – Total 6.5 (-110)
7 p.m. ET
An Original Six battle in Boston with Montreal coming to town. The Bruins have owned this matchup over the years, winning 16 of the last 19 (16-2-1). Both teams are trending to the first period Over 1.5 goals (Boston seven of nine and Montreal six of eight), and in both meetings this season, the first period “BTTS” (Both Teams to Score) cashed. The Bruins’ power play should be able to take advantage of a Montreal penalty kill that has struggled of late. The Bruins have scored a power play goal in four straight games. Montreal’s penalty kill has given up six goals in the last 13 times they have been shorthanded.
On to the player props. The Canadiens’ Cole Caufield has goals (five) in each of his last five games, scored in five consecutive games against the Bruins and six of the last seven. Boston’s Marat Khusnutdinov plays on Boston’s top line and has scored a goal in each of the meetings this season against the Canadiens.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
1st period Over 1.5/Over 5.5 (+108) – 1 unit
1st Period BTTS (+164) – .50
Cole Caufield anytime goal (+150) – .50
Marat Khusnutdinov anytime goal (+480) – .10
David Pastrnak anytime goal (+120) – .10
David Pastrnak Over ½ PP point (+160) – .20
Nick Suzuki Over ½ PP point (+170) – .20
Pastrnak/Caufield point parlay (+100) – 2 units
Los Angeles Kings (20-16-13) at St. Louis Blues (19-24-8)
Kings (-145) at Blues (+118) – Total 5.5 (Under, -115)
8 p.m. ET
This game will likely not be on one of my many screens, but there are some props that have good value. The last three meetings between the two teams have gone to overtime. The Kings have gone to extra time in four of their last six games. I expect a low-scoring game, so instead of playing the regulation draw, I will play a 2-2 exact score in regulation. Being a low-event game, I will also play that there will not be a goal in the opening five minutes, and I will parlay that with the alternate full game total Under 6.5.
A couple of shots-on-goal props that I will be on for the game. LA’s Quinton Byfield to have three or more shots on goal. Byfield should be able to focus more on scoring and not worry as much about playing the shutdown role with the Blues being 31st on offense. I will also play Kevin Fiala to clear three shots and come back with the Blues’ Jimmy Snuggerud, whose shots-on-goal streak ended last night.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Exact score 2-2 (+1000) – .05
Quinton Byfield Over 2.5 shots on goal (+154) – .25
Kevin Fiala Over 2.5 shots on goal (-120) – .25
Joel Hofer Over 23.5 saves (-125) – .25
Jimmy Snuggerud Over 2.5 shots on goal (-120) – .25
No goals 1st 5 minutes/Under 6.5 (-127) – 1.25 units
Florida Panthers (26-20-3) at Minnesota Wild (29-14-9)
Panthers (+105) at Wild (-130) – Total 6 (Over, -120)
9 p.m. ET
It is Hockey Day in Minnesota. The Wild have dropped their last two games on Hockey Day in Minnesota, but they have won 14 of 19 overall. Ever since the Wild acquired Quinn Hughes, Minnesota games have gone Over the full game total in 16 of 20 games. Seven of the last 10 games between the teams have also gone Over the total (we did have one push).
The Panthers are coming off a shootout win over Winnipeg on Thursday, and now they head into Minnesota and will be in tough tonight. I like the Wild to win this game and will take their team total Over 3, as well as taking the Wild on the Puck Line. Of Florida’s 23 losses this season, 20 have been by two goals or more.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Florida Panthers/Minnesota Wild Over 6 (-120) – 2 units
Minnesota Wild Puck Line +185 – .50
Minnesota Wild Team Total Over 3 (-130) – 1 unit
