NHL Predictions – Expert Picks on Sunday, March 9:
Here are tonight’s NHL predictions:
Columbus Blue Jackets at NY Rangers (-135, 6.5)
6 p.m. ET
The Blue Jackets currently sit in the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and are just ahead of the Rangers. Columbus has played one fewer game. Both teams are within striking distance (four points back) of the third-place New Jersey Devils as the three teams are battling it out for the final two playoff spots in the Conference.
Columbus was shut out by the Florida Panthers in their previous game. That puts them in our system plays of a goal to be scored in the first 10 minutes (GIFT) of the game and the first period to go Over the total (1.5 goals). Jonathan Quick is expected to get the start for the Rangers today. The first period Over and “GIFT” have both cashed in five of his last seven starts.
Both the Rangers and Jackets have lost their last two games, but the Rangers have won both games against the Jackets this season and have won seven of the last nine meetings. I do lean to this game going Over the total and will look to play it live if I see the total drop to six. So, I am hoping we don’t see a goal in the first few minutes of the game, and then I hope we see the total drop from 6.5 to six.
A couple of player props for me. JT Miller has fit right in coming back to the Rangers, and we can get his assist prop at “plus money.” Artemi Panarin has goals in four straight games. Chris Kreider has six goals in the eight games he has faced Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins. On the Columbus side, I am targeting a longshot to score a goal. Blue Jackets forward Justin Danforth has three goals in the five games that he has faced Rangers goalie Jonathan Quick.
NHL Predictions: GIFT/Yes (-160) – 1 unit
1st period Over 1.5 (-145) – 1 unit
Chris Kreider goal (+300) – ¼ unit
JT Miller over ½ assist (+112) – ¼ unit
Artemi Panarin ATG (+150) – ¼ unit
Justin Danforth ATG (+750) – ¼ unit
Los Angeles Kings at Vegas Golden Knights (-175, 5.5)
8 p.m. ET
The LA Kings roll into Vegas fresh off a 2-1 overtime win last night at home over the St. Louis Blues. It was an ugly win for the King, who mustered just 11 shots through 40 minutes against a Blues team that was missing both Colton Parayko and Cam Fowler on the blueline. The Kings have scored two or fewer goals in six consecutive games. The last time they scored three or more was a 5-2 win over Vegas on February 24. The Kings are 4-11 this season in the role as a road underdog.
The Golden Knights have won four straight and seven of their last eight games and have won three of the last four meetings against the Kings at T-Mobile Arena. Former Kings player Tanner Pearson has goals in back-to-back games since being bumped to the top line with Mark Stone and Jack Eichel. Eichel has five goals in six games against expected Los Angeles starting goalie David Rittich.
Two LA Kings props on my card for today are Quinton Byfield to record at least one assist. He has five helpers versus the Golden Knights this season. Warren Foegele has three goals versus the Knights this season.
NHL Predictions: Golden Knights in Regulation (-115) – 1.5 units
Tanner Pearson ATG (+450) – ¼ unit
Jack Eichel ATG (+165) – ¼ unit
Warren Foegele ATG (+380) – ¼ unit
Quinton Byfield over ½ assist (+210) – ¼ unit
