NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Here are today’s NHL predictions and best bets.
Ottawa Senators (20-17-5) at Colorado Avalanche (31-4-7)
Senators (+220) at Avalanche (-275) – Total 6.5 (Over, -130)
9 p.m. ET
This is a horrible spot for the Ottawa Senators. They played last night in Utah and now go to Colorado on zero days’ rest, playing once again in elevation. From my buddy, SushiBet, the Colorado Avalanche are 28-0 when facing teams on 0 days rest, with the lines ranging from (-155) to (-345). They are winning by an average margin of 2.9 goals, scored 5+ goals in nine straight in this spot, and covered the puck line (-1.5 goals) in 22 of the 28 wins.
With Linus Ullmark still unavailable (personal leave of absence) and Leevi Merilainen starting last night, that likely leaves Mads Sogaard having to face the NHL’s number one offense. Sogaard has played 29 NHL games over the past five seasons and will make his season debut tonight. Best of luck to Sogaard. He will need it because the Avs are not likely to be in a good mood after losing their last two games, scoring a combined three goals.
The Avs have won six straight and nine of ten versus Ottawa and scored five goals or more in each of the last eight contests. With Colorado being such a big favorite for the full game, I will target Colorado to win individual periods. Colorado to win the first period (-1/2 goal) is plus money (+130), and you can also play the Avs (-1 goal) for the opening twenty minutes at (+285). I also like the Avs in the second period at (-1/2 goal, +100). I also think we see a big game out of Nathan MacKinnon, and I will be on his shots on goal props as well.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Colorado Avalanche 1st period (-1/2 goal) +130 – 1 unit
Colorado Avalanche 1st period (-1 goal) +285 – .50 units
Colorado Avalanche 2nd period (-1/2 goal) +100 – 1 unit
Colorado Avalanche Team Total Over 3.5 (-168) – 2 units
Colorado Avalanche Team Total Over 4.0 (-125) – .50 units
Nathan MacKinnon Over 3.5 shots on goal (-155) – 1 unit
Nathan MacKinnon Over 4.5 shots on goal (+140) – .50 units
Minnesota Wild (25-11-8) at Seattle Kraken (20-14-7)
Wild (-150) at Kraken (+130) – Total 6 (Over, -120)
10 p.m. ET
This is my favorite game on the card. The Wild are coming off back-to-back losses to the Los Angeles Kings and have had two days to think about it as they wrap up their seven-game road trip tonight in Seattle. The Kraken are on a roll, having won four straight and eight of their last nine. Tonight will be their toughest test since losing 5-3 to Colorado in mid-December on home ice. The Wild have won three straight and six of eight against Seattle.
Overall, the Kraken are (0-4) versus the top three teams in the Central Division (Colorado, Minnesota, Dallas) this season. When you look at their last eight wins, they came against some of the weaker teams in the league: Boston, Calgary, Vancouver, Nashville, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Anaheim and San Jose.
Credit @ryansura18 for sharing this beauty with me. The Kraken are 1-14 straight up in their next game as an underdog when they scored six goals in the previous game. I was only able to find the first 13 games (1-12), and in addition to the Kraken’s inability to win in this spot, they also can’t score goals. Seattle has scored two or fewer goals in all 12 defeats.
Minnesota’s Matt Boldy has eight goals in 11 games versus the Kraken and has had success against both Kraken goalies. He has four goals in five games against Philipp Grubauer and three goals in five games against Joey Daccord.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Minnesota Wild in regulation (+105) – 2 units
Seattle Kraken team total Under 2.5 (+100) – .50 units
Matt Boldy anytime goal (+165) – .20 units
