NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Here are today’s NHL predictions and best bets.
Colorado Avalanche (30-2-7) at Carolina Hurricanes (24-13-3)
Avalanche (-135) at Hurricanes (+115) – Total 6.5 (Under, -120)
7 p.m. ET
For the first time since March 10, 2022, ironically against the Colorado Avalanche, the Carolina Hurricanes find themselves as a home underdog in a regular-season game. Carolina won that game 2-0.
The Avs come into today’s game on a nine-game winning streak, scoring four goals or more seven times and winning by two goals or more six times. The Hurricanes have lost five of their last seven games, giving up four goals or more in all five defeats and losing by two goals or more in each of the last four losses.
The injuries to number one defenseman, Jacob Slavin, and center, Seth Jarvis, are major factors for the Canes’ woes. Outside of Brandon Bussi (13-2-1), the goaltending, as it is most years in Carolina, has been suspect. Bussi is coming off his worst game of the season, getting lit up for six goals by the Montreal Canadiens.
The past five meetings between the two teams have had a combined seven goals or more, including Carolina’s 5-4 shootout win in Denver earlier this season. I am also going to ride the trend of players being named to Olympic teams and scoring a goal. I like Cale Makar to find the back of the net.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Colorado Avalanche Team Total Over 3 (-155) – 1.5 units
Colorado Avalanche Team Total Over 3.5 (+108) – .50 units
Colorado Avalanche TT Over 3.5/MacKinnon goal/Necas point/Makar point (+224) – .25 units
Cale Makar anytime goal (+360) – .10 units
Colorado Avalanche/Carolina Hurricanes Over 6.5 (+100) – 1 unit
Eric Robinson anytime goal (+500) – .05 units
Winnipeg Jets (15-20-4) at Ottawa Senators (19-15-5)
Jets (+120) at Senators (-140) – Total 5.5 (Over, -120)
7 p.m. ET
The Winnipeg Jets’ losing streak reached eight games following their 6-5 loss at Toronto on Thursday. Winnipeg built a 4-1 second-period lead only to see the Maple Leafs score five of the game’s next six goals, including a hat trick by Toronto captain, Auston Matthews. Seven of the Jets’ eight losses on this current losing streak have been by one goal, including the game that started the losing streak, a 3-2 overtime loss at home to these same Ottawa Senators.
This time, Winnipeg gets Ottawa in their barn, and the Jets have been getting crushed on the road with just seven wins in 21 games. The Jets’ wins have come in the role as a road favorite, but as a road underdog, Winnipeg is (0-8) and are (1-13) this season as an underdog (home and away combined).
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Ottawa Senators Money Line (-140) – 1 unit
Chicago Blackhawks (15-18-7) at Washington Capitals (21-15-5)
Blackhawks (+250) at Capitals (-310) – Total 5.5 (Over, -130)
7 p.m. ET
The Washington Capitals are coming off a 4-3 loss at Ottawa, squandering an early 2-0 lead and have lost nine of their last 13 games. The Blackhawks have understandably struggled since the loss of Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar. Chicago has won two of their last four, both wins over the Dallas Stars, but taking a deeper look, they have lost 10 of the 13.
Tonight is the second time this season Chicago is an underdog, with a favorite (-300+). In both games, Chicago scored a first-period goal. For the season, in games where we have had a favorite of (-300+), the underdog has scored a first period goal in eight of the eleven games, the first period Over 1.5 has also cashed in eight of the 11 and the “GIFT” is (9-2).
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Chicago Blackhawks to score a 1st period goal (-110) – 1 unit
1stperiod Over 1.5 goals (-125) – 1 unit
Goal in 1st10 minutes (-158) – .25 units
Aliaksei Protas anytime goal (+300) – .10 units
Tom Wilson anytime goal (+155) – .10 units
Nick Lardis anytime goal (+500) – .10 units
Toronto Maple Leafs (19-15-6) at New York Islanders (22-15-4)
Maple Leafs (-110) at Islanders (-110) – Total 5.5 (Over, -120)
7 p.m. ET
The Maple Leafs rallied from down 4-1 five minutes into the second period for a 6-5 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. Auston Matthews appears to have regained his scoring touch, scoring in two of the past three games, including his hat trick in the victory over Winnipeg. Toronto has won four of their past five games and have scored four goals or more in each of the victories. For the season, Toronto has scored at least four goals in 14 of their 19 wins.
The Islanders are coming off a 7-2 loss to Utah on Thursday. With Ilya Sorokin on injured reserve, David Rittich looked like the toll of playing six consecutive games was too much for him, giving up five goals on 14 shots before being replaced by Marcus Hogberg. The Islanders activated Sorokin on Friday, but it appears that Rittich will be making his seventh consecutive start tonight, and the Islanders will give Sorokin his first start since December 19 on Tuesday when the Islanders host the New Jersey Devils. The Islanders will be without center Bo Horvat, who was injured on Thursday against Utah. Horvat is considered out week to week.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Toronto Maple Leafs (-110) – 1 unit
Toronto Maple Leafs Team Total Over 3 (+100) – 1 unit
Auston Matthews anytime goal (+140) – .20 units
Calum Ritchie anytime goal (+425) – .05 units
Nashville Predators (18-18-4) at Calgary Flames (18-18-4)
Predators (+105) at Flames (-125) – Total 5.5 (Over, -120)
7 p.m. ET
The Nashville Predators have won both meetings between the two teams this season, with both of those victories coming on home ice. Tonight, the Flames get the Preds on their home sheet, where Calgary has dominated in the role as a home favorite. Calgary is (6-1) this season as a home favorite, compared to (5-4) as a home underdog. Calgary has defeated their opponents by two goals or more in five of the six victories and held the opposition to two goals or less in all six wins.
A couple of props for that are on my card. Calgary’s Ryan Lomberg has had recent success on Hockey Night in Canada (Saturday night games involving Canadian teams for those unaware), scoring each of the past two Saturdays and both times being rewarded with a post-game interview (which he relished). While I am not expecting a lot of goal production from Nashville, I will take a shot (pun intended) with a Steven Stamkos anytime goal and for him to score in the third period. Stamkos scored a goal in 14 different games, and in seven of the games, he scored in the final 20 minutes.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Calgary Flames Money Line (-125) – 1.5 units
Nashville Predators Team Total Under 3 (-145) – .75 units
Nashville Predators Team Total Under 2.5 (+115) – .25 units
Ryan Lomberg anytime goal (+1100) – .05 units
Steven Stamkos anytime goal (+195) – .10 units
Steven Stamkos 3rd period goal (+650) – .05 units
