NHL Predictions – Expert Picks on Wednesday, March 5:
Here are tonight’s NHL predictions:
Washington Capitals (-120, 5.5) at NY Rangers
7:30 p.m. ET
Alexander Ovechkin is just 10 goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record (894) as he and the Capitals visit the Rangers at MSG. Ovechkin has scored three goals in two games against the Blueshirts this season (2 vs. Shesterkin, 1 vs. Quick) to go along with 12 shots on goals (5,7). For his career, Ovechkin has 45 goals in 75 career games against the Rangers. The Rangers are coming off back-to-back shutouts over the Nashville Predators and NY Islanders, with both Jonathan Quick and Igor Shesterkin recording a shutout. So do we get anywhere close to the eight and 11 combined goals that we saw in the first two meetings between the Metro Division rivals? The Caps have gone over the full game total and first period (1.5 goals) in nine of their last 10 games. Washington has also given up three goals or more in 11 straight games.
NHL Predictions: 1st period Over 1.5(-125) – 1unit
Washington Capitals/New York Rangers Over 5.5 (-130) – 1unit
New York Rangers TT Over 2.5 (-165) – 1 unit
Ovechkin Over 3.5 SOG (-120) – 2 units
Ovechkin Over 4.5 SOG (+192) -1 unit
Ovechkin anytime goal (+110) – ¾ unit
Ovechkin last goal (+850) – ¼ unit
Ottawa Senators (-230, 5.5) at Chicago Blackhawks
7:30 p.m. ET
Ottawa enters tonight’s game with just one win in their past seven games but are only two points out of a playoff spot, trailing the New York Rangers, currently in the final wild card spot and have played one less game. Tonight, they face a Blackhawks team that sits 31st in league standings but has won their past two games. Chicago’s victory on Monday marked the debut of goalie Spencer Knight, who turned back 41 of 42 shots in a 5-1 Hawks win. If you want to wager on the Senators tonight, you look at the 60-minute line (-130) or lay the 1.5 goals (+124). I believe the better play is the Over 5.5 goals (-130). FanDuel was the one site that I found offering 5.5 goals, but I would still play Over six goals. Five of Chicago’s six games out of the break have had six goals or more, and three of Ottawa’s four games out of the break have had six goals or more.
Prop plays that I have on my bingo card for tonight. The Senators Tim Stutzle is riding an 11-game assist streak (14 total), Brady Tkachuk scored in back-to-back games. Shane Pinto has three goals in the past two games and has two goals in three games.
Chicago’s Ryan Donato has 21 points in his last 16 games. Teuvo Teravainen is on a five-game points streak (two goals, six assists).
NHL Predictions: Ottawa/Chicago Over 5.5 (-130) – 1.5 units
Tim Stutzle Over ½ assist (-138) – ½ unit
Brady Tkachuk anytime goal (+125) – ¼ unit
Shane Pinto anytime goal (+270) – ¼ unit
Ryan Donato Over ½ point (-115) – ¼ unit
Ryan Donato anytime goal (+260) – ¼ unit
Ryan Donato Over ½ assist (+168) – ¼ unit
Teuvo Teravainen Over ½ point (-115) – ¼ unit
Toronto Maple Leafs at Vegas Golden Knights (-150, 6.5)
10 p.m. ET
The Maple Leafs kick off a mini three-game road trip tonight in Las Vegas, their final game before Friday’s trade deadline. Toronto will look to rebound from a 3-2 shootout loss on Monday to the San Jose Sharks in their one home game sandwiched around seven road games. The Maple Leafs have won four consecutive road games and seven of their last eight away from home. They will face a Golden Knights team who has won 22 of their 31 home games and five of their last six overall.
There are a couple of prop plays that have caught my attention. Eighteen of the last 22 Maple Leafs games have had a goal scored in the first 10 minutes. Five of the last six Vegas home games have had a goal in the first 10 minutes (stat courtesy of @ianduncs).
Jack Eichel has 15 goals in 20 games against the Leafs and two goals in two games against projected Leafs starting goalie Anthony Stolarz. Defenseman Noah Hanifan has 4 assists in his last three games.
The Maple Leafs Auston Matthews has 12 assists in his last 10 games, while Matthew Knies has goals in three consecutive games.
NHL Predictions: Jack Eichel anytime goal (+155) – ¼ unit
Matthew Knies anytime goal (+300) – ¼ unit
Auston Matthews Over ½ assist (+114) – ¼ unit
Noah Hanifan Over ½ assist (+140) – ½ unit
