NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Here are tonight’s NHL predictions and best bets:
Boston Bruins (39-24-8) at Buffalo Sabres (44-20-7)
Bruins (+170) at Sabres (-210) – Total 6.5 (-110)
7:30 p.m. ET
The Buffalo Sabres return home from a West Coast road trip that saw them earn seven of a possible eight points (3-0-1), coming off a 6-5 overtime loss at Anaheim. It was just the Sabres’ second loss in the past 14 games. Buffalo has only lost back-to-back games twice since the beginning of December.
My concern with playing Buffalo tonight is that it is their first home game after playing four games in six days on the West Coast. There is no way I would lay (-210) with Buffalo, even against a Boston team that has only 13 wins in 34 road games this season.
In addition to being a bad road team, the B’s are on the second half of a back-to-back (3-4). With Jeremy Swayman starting in last night’s loss to Toronto, it is expected that Joonas Korpisalo will start tonight against Buffalo. If Swayman does get the start, it would be the first time this season that Swayman would start on consecutive days. The Bruins have lost five of the last six games started by Korpisalo and given up four or more goals in all five losses, and all five losses have seen a combined seven or more goals. Korpisalo is 7-5-1 lifetime with 3.21 goals-against average against Buffalo, while Swayman is 8-1-1 with a sub-two goals against average against Buffalo.
Regardless of who starts in goal for Boston, I will go with the two Josh Norris prop plays. The Sabres forward has seven points (five goals, two assists) in seven games against the Bruins. He has points in four straight against Boston and has cashed his shots on goal prop (Over 1.5) in three straight against Boston.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
Josh Norris anytime goal (+275) – .25
Josh Norris Over ½ assist (+176) – .25
Josh Norris Over 1.5 shots on goal (-105) – .25
New York Rangers (28-34-9) at Toronto Maple Leafs (30-29-13)
Rangers (-125) at Maple Leafs (+105) – Total 6 (Over, -120)
7:30 p.m.
Two Original Six teams meet tonight in Toronto, where I hope that the concept of playing defense goes out the door. The Rangers are coming off a 2-1 home loss to Ottawa, finishing with 10 shots on goal. Seriously, 10 shots. Anyone who bought a ticket for that game should get their money back.
The Maple Leafs doubled up Boston last night, 4-2, handing the Bruins only their 10th home loss in regulation this season in 37 home games. Now the Rangers hit the road, where, win or lose, we have seen pucks filling the back of the net. Six of their last seven road games have seen seven or more goals, and the one game that did not ended 4-2. Give me the Over 6 goals tonight without question.
NHL Predictions and Best Bets:
New York Rangers/Toronto Maple Leafs Over 6 (-120)
