NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Here are today’s NHL predictions and best bets.
Washington Capitals (23-16-6) at Nashville Predators (20-20-4)
Capitals (-150) at Predators (+125) – Total 6 (Over, -115)
7 p.m. ET
The Washington Capitals enter tonight’s game in search of back-to-back wins for the first time since their six-game winning streak that ended in early December. Nashville is coming off a disappointing home loss last night, shutout by Chicago, 3-0, and they have traded wins and losses over their past six games. But success on the second half of back-to-backs for Nashville has not been there, losing five of six and scoring two goals or fewer in four of the five defeats.
Washington’s Alexander Ovechkin has goals in each of his last three games (four total) and 19 goals in 29 career games versus Nashville. John Carlsson has picked up an assist in three consecutive games (four total) and has 18 assists in 23 games versus the Predators.
One other Caps player on my prop board is Declan Chisholm. The Capitals blueliner worked himself back into the lineup, and if Justus Annunen gets the start in goal (as expected), as Jusse Saros started last night, then I will be on the Chisholm anytime goal. He has two goals in two games against Annunen.
The Caps are starting their backup goalie, Charlie Lindgren, tonight. Lindgren has lost both his starts to Nashville. The Preds Michael Bunting has six goals in 11 games against Washington, and two of those have come in the five games he has faced Lindgren. Ryan O’Reilly also has two goals (three games) versus the Washington goalie.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Washington Capitals Money Line (-150) – 1 unit
Alexander Ovechkin anytime goal (+150) – .25 units
John Carlsson Over 1/2 assist (+158) – .50 units
Michael Bunting anytime goal (+375) – .10 units
Declan Chisholm anytime goal (+2000) – .05 units – if Annunen starts
McMichael/Sourdif/Leonard point parlay (+242) – .25 units
Ryan O’Reilly anytime goal (+280) – .10 units
Aliaksei Protas anytime goal (+290) – .10 units
Columbus Blue Jackets (18-19-7) at Utah Mammoth (22-20-3)
Blue Jackets (+155) at Mammoth (-185) – Total 6.5 (Under, -130)
7 p.m. ET
The Blue Jackets saw their losing streak stretch to four on Saturday with a 4-0 loss at Colorado and head into Utah on a back-to-back, three games in four days, five games in nine days, and six games in twelve days. Talk about a scheduling loss for the Jackets, compounded by games on consecutive days in elevation.
With Elvis Merzlikins getting a rare start on Saturday, it’s back to Jet Greaves for Columbus, but the new number one goalie for the Jackets appears to be tired from the heavy workload, with Columbus surrendering five goals in each of his last three starts.
The Mammoth have won three straight and are (9-5) in the role as a home favorite, and Columbus has just eight wins in the 22 games this season as a road underdog. I am never crazy about laying almost two dollars with any team, so I will parlay the Utah Money Line with Mikhail Sergachev to register at least two shots on goal. Sergachev has had two shots on goal or more in 16 of his last 17 home games.
Utah’s Lawson Crouse has goals in back-to-back games, and Dylan Guenther has three goals in three games against the Jackets. Sean Durzi has points in ten of his last 12 games and five of his last seven at home.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Utah Money Line/Sergachev Over 1.5 shots (+140) – 2 units
Sean Durzi Over ½ point (+110) – .50 units
Dylan Guenther anytime goal (+150) -.10 units
Lawson Crouse anytime goal (+310) – .10 units
Lawson Crouse Over ½ assist (+200) – .10 units
