NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Here are tonight’s NHL predictions and best bets
Dallas Stars (43-18-11) at Philadelphia Flyers (35-24-12)
Stars (-155) at Flyers (+130) – Total 6 (Under, -125)
7 p.m. ET
Both teams are on the second half of a back-to-back. The Stars have flourished in this spot, winning eight of 11 games on the back end of back-to-backs. The Flyers have won just five of 11 games on the second half of back-to-backs. The Flyers also struggle in the role of the home underdog, winning just four of eighteen games as the home dog.
Slow starts have plagued Dallas in recent games, giving up the opening goal in four consecutive games and five of the past six. The Flyers are the complete opposite, scoring first in each of the last four games and five of the past six.
Rookie Alex Bump has scored the opening goal at home for the Flyers in two of the past three games. Owen Tippett has scored Philly’s first goal in two of the last four games overall. Tippett is also one goal shy of hitting the 25-goal mark for the fourth time in five seasons. Noah Cates has goals in four of the past five games for Philly.
The Stars’ Mikko Rantanen made his return to the Dallas lineup yesterday, scoring a goal and adding an assist. He has 10 goals in 18 career games against the Flyers. Michael Bunting is expected to slot in alongside Rantanen today. He has two goals in three games against Flyers starting goalie, Samuel Ersson.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Philadelphia Flyers’ 1st goal/1st period (+165) – .15
Alex Bump 1st Flyers’ goal (+1100) – .05
Alex Bump anytime goal (+425) – .10
Owen Tippett 1st Flyers’ goal (+800) – .05
Owen Tippett anytime goal (+280) – .10
Noah Cates anytime goal (+440) – .10
Mikko Rantanen anytime goal (+200) – .25
Michael Bunting anytime goal (+380) – .10
Chicago Blackhawks (27-33-13) at New Jersey Devils (37-32-2)
Blackhawks (+140) at Devils (-170) – Total 6 (-110)
7 p.m. ET
The Devils return home after winning three of four on the road and five of six overall. Tonight, they face a Blackhawks team that has lost five of six. The goaltending match-up tonight is Spencer Knight for Chicago and Jake Allen for the Devils. I have zero interest in backing either side, but there is a slew of player props as well as one team prop involving the Hawks.
On the Chicago side, Nick Lardis scored the Blackhawks first goal in three of the past four games, and Tyler Bertuzzi has five goals in 10 games against Jersey goalie Jake Allen. Bertuzzi is also one goal shy of his second 30-goal season. Anton Frondell is still in search of his first goal. He will get an increased opportunity on Chicago’s top power play.
On the Devils side, Dawson Mercer has six goals in nine games against Chicago and three goals in the seven games he has faced Spencer Knight. Jack Hughes has five goals in nine games against Chicago; Timo Meier has goals in three straight. Evgeni Dadonov, who scored his first goal of the season yesterday, has three goals in three games against Spencer Knight. Jesper Bratt had his five-game goal streak halted yesterday and is one goal shy of his fifth 20-goal season.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Chicago Blackhawks 1st goal/1st period (+165) – .15
Nick Lardis 1st Chicago goal (+1200) – .05
Nick Lardis anytime goal (+450) – .10
Tyler Bertuzzi 1st Chicago goal (+700) – .05
Tyler Bertuzzi anytime goal (+265) – .25
Anton Frondell anytime goal (+350) – .10
Anton Frondell Over ½ Power Play Point (+400) – .05
Jesper Bratt anytime goal (+250) – .10
Dawson Mercer anytime goal (+320) – .10
Jack Hughes anytime goal (+165) – .10
Timo Meier anytime goal (+190) – .10
Chicago Blackhawks ML (+140) – .25
Over 6 (-110) – .25
