NHL Predictions – Expert Picks on Sunday, April 13:
Here are tonight’s NHL predictions:
Toronto Maple Leafs at Carolina Hurricanes (-220, 5.5)
5 p.m. ET
This is not the best scheduling spot for Toronto, who played last night while the Canes played Saturday afternoon. Prior to Saturday’s 7-3 win over the Rangers, Carolina had lost four straight. Even with Toronto going to overtime to defeat the Montreal Canadiens, I have no interest in playing Carolina at this price. Also, Carolina can’t move up or down in the standings while the Maple Leafs are still trying to lock down top spot in the Atlantic Division. I like the Leafs to get out to a quick start, and we can get them at a good plus price to win the first period. I would not be surprised to see this game go past 60 minutes.
Three player props for me in this game. The Leafs’ Matthew Knies is one shy of 30 goals. He is available at (+300) to score a goal. Nic Robertson has four goals in seven career games against the Canes, including one this season. Ten of his 14 goals have been scored on the road. Carolina’s Jackson Blake has made the most of his opportunity playing on the top line. He scored in back-to-back games as well as four of the last six and six of the last eight.
NHL Predictions:
Toronto Maple Leafs 1st period -1/2 goal +154 – ½ unit
Regulation Draw +350 – ¼ unit
Jackson Blake anytime goal +235 – ¼ unit
Nic Robertson anytime goal +800 – ¼ unit
Matthew Knies anytime goal +300 – ¼ unit
Columbus Blue Jackets at Washington Capitals (-162, 6.5)
6 p.m. ET
The Blue Jackets are hanging on by a thread to try and make the playoffs. Columbus will need to win each of their three remaining games in regulation, and the Canadiens lose their final two games in regulation. Saturday, the Jackets thumped the Capitals 7-0 who rested both Alexander Ovechkin and Jakob Chychrun. One problem for Columbus is that they are 1-10 in the second half of back-to-backs, so I will stay off playing Columbus to win this game, but I did grab their team total at Over 2.5 and not just because they put up seven goals yesterday. This is about a Washington team that has given up three goals or more in ten straight games. The first period Over 1.5 goals has cashed in 20 of 24 games since play resumed out of the 4 Nations. One Jackets player prop that I am on is a Sean Monahan anytime goal as he is one away from a 20-goal season.
NHL Predictions:
Columbus Blue Jackets Team Total Over 2.5 (-145) – 1.5 units
1st period Over 1.5 (-140) – 1.5 units
Sean Monahan anytime goal +330 – ¼ unit
Buffalo Sabres at Tampa Bay Lightning (-280, 6.5)
6 p.m. ET
There is something about the Tampa Bay Lightning that brings out the best in the Buffalo Sabres. The teams have split their two meetings this season (each decided by one goal) with the home team coming away with the victory each time. Five of the last nine meetings have gone past 60 minutes. Buffalo has won six of the last eight meetings overall and three of the last four in the Sunshine State. The Sabres have scored three goals or more in nine of the last 10 meetings. A couple of player props that I have on my bingo card. Buffalo defenseman Rasmus Dahlin has scored in back-to-back games and four of his last six overall. Tage Thompson is one shy of 45 goals and has scored twice against Tampa this season. Tampa coach Jon Cooper has made some line adjustments. Yanni Gourde gets a bump to the top line. Jake Guentzel has three goals against the Sabres this season and is two shy of hitting the 40-goal mark for the third time in his career.
NHL Predictions:
Buffalo Sabres Team Total Over 2.5 (-112) – 1 unit
Rasmus Dahlin anytime goal +550 – ¼ unit
Tage Thompson anytime goal +165 – ¼ unit
Yanni Gourde anytime goal +270 – ¼ unit
Jake Guentzel anytime goal +145 – ¼ unit
Buffalo Sabres 1st period over ½ goal (-138) – ½ unit
